She gives me a sad smile. “We met through a dating app, and the rest is history. Now, I wouldn’t say I belong here”—her eyes dim a little before she keeps going—“but I belong with him.”
“I’m happy you found love.”
Three loud knocks come from the door. “Lunch is ready.”
Elena looks at it. “I won’t be long.” She then looks at me. “Did you want to come down, or did you want me to get a plate and bring it up for you?”
I pull the sheet up over my chest. “I can’t...”
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring it up for you.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, and it makes me cringe.
“There’s no need to apologize,” she whispers.
Usually, everything is my fault. “Old habits, I guess.”
Her frown deepens. “I’ll go get you something to eat.”
“Oh, and”—she cringes and looks to the floor—“the bathroom is to the right at the end of the hallway. I put a towel and some clothes on the chest of drawers there.” She points to it.
Swallowing thickly, I nod, too choked up to speak.
As she turns the handle and opens the door, she looks at me over her shoulder. “We spoke to Reaper last night and you can stay, but if you could help cook and clean like you said you would, that would be great.” She doesn’t wait for an answer. She gives me a small smile and closes the door softly.
As I sit up in bed, pain assaults me from different areas. Everything aches. My mind wanders off to Beau. Was he angry when he didn’t find me next to him, or would he even care? I grunt. Of course he would care. He would have no one to take his anger out on.
I pull the sheet off myself, but as soon as I stand, stiffness burns my body. When I take my first step, searing pain shoots up from my ankle and my jaw clenches. I hobble over to get the towel, clothes, and my bag and then limp over to the door. My hand rests on the doorknob, and before I open it, I peer down. My jeans have dirt caked at the knees where I fell over, and my coat has a swipe of blood and dirt on it.
I open the door and peek through the crack to see if anyone is around, then step outside and pull it closed behind me. Every step is agony, and I note to ask Elena for painkillers. As soon as I get in the bathroom, I turn the lock and place the towel and clothes on the towel rack.
Sliding my arms out of the coat, I suck in a breath through my teeth. I take my shirt off and undo the button of my jeans and pull them over my hips before stepping out of them. Inspecting my body, I see my palms are red and one has a scab. The side of my body is a mix of blue-and-purple bruises. A large deep purple one is on my hip and another up the side of my ribs. I touch the tender area.
When I look in the mirror, tears stream down my face. I’m a mess. My left eye is red and purple, and my cheek is more of a swirl of purple and blue.
I don’t recognize the person in front of me. Bile rises, and I bend over the toilet in time to vomit. With the back of my hand, I wipe my mouth. I take my underwear off and step into the hot water. I cry in the shower because no one can see my tears, my weakness.
Once I’m out and have finished drying myself, knowing that my sister and I are different sizes, I lift the first piece of clothing in curiosity. She should know I wouldn’t be able to get my boobs into her shirts and my ass into any pants she owns. I’m relieved that, instead, it’s a burgundy dress, and up against me, it looks loose, so it may even fit. As I’m getting changed, a bang on the door startles me.
“What is taking so long? Hurry up, I need to take a piss!”
My breathing quickens, and my heart thrums as I hastily pull the dress over my head and grab my towel and dirty clothes. I open the door and am met by a handsome man. His face morphs from annoyed to curious as he raises a brow and looks me over from head to toe.
“Excuse me,” I mutter. I bow my head, waiting for him to move from the doorway.
He remains still, and when I glance up, he’s grinning. “Ava, is it?”
My grip on my clothes tightens as I clear my throat, wondering how he knows my name already. “Yes.”
“Oh no you don’t,” Elena says from nearby. She bumps him aside with her hip, allowing me room to move past.
“I was just getting to know her.”
I turn, watching their interaction. Elena shakes her head. “No, no, and no.”
He winks at me. “Later, Ava.”
She groans and follows me into the room. “There’s your plate.” She signals to the bed. “Sorry it took so long. I was helping to dish out the food, and those guys just didn’t stop eating. I’m surprised they aren’t fat, to be honest.”
