“What clicked?” Ava asked, even though she suspected his next words.
“You're still in love with him.”
The crunch of gravel saved her from answering. They all turned to face the driveway, curious about who would visit so early in the morning.
“Whoever it is, they're driving like a bat out of hell,” Lucas said. He walked toward the end of the porch for a better view of the driveway. “Oh shit. It's for you, Ava.”
She could hear the spray of gravel and the squeal of brakes coming to a stop. A door opened and slammed shut. She exchanged a confused look with Noah, who shrugged back.
“Ava!” Owen yelled from the driveway, his feet stomping on the gravel toward the cabin.
Ava looked over at Noah. “He sounds mad,” she whispered.
Noah snorted a laugh before slapping a hand over his mouth. Lucas suppressed his own smile, leaning against the railing once more at the end of the porch. The only person with a clear view of Owen's rampage.
“Looking for Ava?” Lucas called out.
Ava sank back further into her chair.
“Hey, man. Yeah. She around?” Owen's footsteps pounded closer to the porch.
“Right here.” Lucas gestured to where Noah and Ava sat.
Owen appeared at the end of the porch, his hair a disheveled mess barely contained by his bun. His flannel was unbuttoned midway down his chest. Ava stopped herself from licking her lips. Now was not the time to be turned on by Owen's appearance. He was clearly angry. Too bad her libido and her brain weren't on the same page.
When he spotted her, his chin lowered as he leveled a glare in her direction. Where she would normally feel the anxiety rising in her chest at the thought of someone angry with her, the high of the weed turned her anxiety to amusement. But she had a feeling laughing at the moment would only rile him further, and she gave him a tiny wave.
“Hi, Owen,” she greeted.
His glare deepened. “We need to talk,” he said, crossing his arms across his chest. The bulge of his arms from the movement made Ava squirm.
“Think that's our cue to get out of here. C'mon, Lucas.” Noah stood from his chair and walked toward the door.
Lucas straightened from his post and walked past Ava, lifting his eyebrows at her as he passed. “We'll be inside if you need us,” he said to her in a low voice.
The door shut quietly behind him. Owen stalked closer and came to a stop in front of her. Their height difference made her feel like a kid in trouble with the principal. Maybe he'd be interested in some role play in the future.
Not the time to be thinking about sex, Ava.
His eyes narrowed like he could hear her thoughts. She straightened her back and stared up at him, hoping her eyes weren't too red from the joint.
“First of all, are you okay?” Owen asked. His glare softened, but his eyes still drilled into her, demanding an answer.
She nodded.
“Words, Ava.”
She shifted in the chair, recalling when he’d said the same thing when he’d bent her over the desk. Except then she was Birdie, not Ava.
He’s mad.
“Yes, I'm okay. A little sore. And I'm kind of high. Blame my brothers for that one.” She grimaced, not meaning to ramble.
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “We’ll circle back to that last part.” He uncrossed his arms, placing his hands on his hips.
He's got the disappointed dad act down. Think he'd let me call him daddy? No, that's weird. Focus, Ava.
“I'm glad you're okay, because I'm not. What the hell, Ava? Leaving me like that. No note. No text. Nothing but your silky red thong left behind like a calling card.”
