Page 27 of Avenging Azalea

“Don’t look at me like that. I had to. Don’t you understand?”

They tilted their heads, but their expressions never changed. I was the asshole, and didn’t I know it. I quickly reopened Fawn’s door and pointed. The dogs filed inside, but Bella looked back at me. Her intelligent eyes said it all…I was an idiot.

Fuck.

I marched down the stairs, waving off Naji and the guards when they jumped up to follow and slammed the front door behind me. Getting into my car, I revved the engine and tore down the driveway. But there was no escaping this. No more than I could escape my last name.

I might have helped set my Little Bird free, but in doing so, I put myself in the cage and locked the door.

Chapter

Nine

FAWN

Becoming a veterinarian was the only thing I’d ever wanted to do. I’d always loved my classes, but the last couple of weeks had been dreadful. It took everything in me to show up. I hadn’t been able to focus and had spent the days randomly wiping tears off my cheeks before anyone noticed. The only things I’d managed to finish were my labs, and that was only because it was partner work that kept me distracted from swirling into a pit of despair.

I hadn’t seen Titus since my birthday. He seemed to be avoiding the house and me, as much as I was trying to stay away from him. Turning into a pathetic sobbing mess in front of him was not something I wanted either of us to experience.

Two whole weeks of not seeing Titus, and of course, today was Valentine’s Day. I hadn’t realized just how annoying the holiday was until now. Pink and red balloons with flowers had been delivered to one of my classes as a surprise for a classmate. People were cuddling and kissing everywhere. Even my playlist was out to get me, playing songs that reminded me of Titus.

Stepping out of my last class, I was headed for the exit when I spotted Steph walking toward me. My mind turned the moment into a movie. Her blonde hair blew behind her, and people just naturally moved out of her way like the parting of the Red Sea. As usual, all heads turned in her direction. She ate it up and winked at the guys. Steph was a walking ray of sunshine while I felt like Pigpen from Charlie Brown with the dirt cloud following me around.

“Hey, babe,” she said, wrapping me in her arms for a hug.

“Hey,” I managed and then swallowed the tears.

“I decided that I wasn’t going to let you ignore me anymore.” Pulling back, she gave me her best pout. “Want to make out in front of all these people? They’ll be jealous they don’t get to participate in all this sexiness.”

I snorted. “No, I think I’m good.”

“Your flat-out refusal to call me back says otherwise,” she scolded, and I looked down.

“I’m sorry…I’m not good company right now.”

“Nonsense, you don’t need to pretend to be happy for my sake. I love you no matter what,” Steph said while I nodded and wiped away a stray tear rolling down my cheek. “Okay, enough of that. You’ve had two weeks to grieve. It’s time we got you back in the saddle.”

“You just told me not to pretend.”

“Oh, you misunderstand. You had your time to be sad, but if that dumbass can’t see what a catch you are, then it’s time your sexy ass moves on.”

She wrapped her arm around my shoulders, and it felt more like she was herding me toward the door than casually walking.

“Just like that, you want me to shut off my feelings?”

“No, you can still be sad. I hate to say this to you, but…he’s getting married, Fawn, and there is no point crying over something you can’t stop. He’s not moping around. So, why should you? But worry not. I’ve come up with the perfect plan.”

“Oh no,” I mumbled, knowing this was going to be something I had no interest in doing.

That fear was confirmed when we stepped outside. Idling by the curb was a giant tour bus with two dozen guys standing outside of it.

“Steph, what is that,” I asked, frozen to the spot.

She smiled conspiratorially at me. “That is my get back on the horse surprise.”

“I don’t understand…you didn’t plan a gangbang or something, did you? Because if you did, you can count me out.”

She burst out laughing and then stopped and tapped her chin. “No…but that’s a hell of an idea. They are all sexy. Let me think on that.”