Page 48 of Break my Heart
“I get that. But don’t you think it might help to have an open and honest conversation with her before you make any decisions? Especially if you have feelings for her.”
“Thanks for the advice.” Everything she just said somersaults through my head. “I’ll give it some thought.”
She flashes an easy smile. “Want to give me a clue as to who the lucky girl is?”
I shake my head. “Nah. Like you said, I should probably talk to her first and get everything figured out.”
“All right. Sounds like a plan. Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
I’ll probably need it.
18
Ava
Unknown number:
We’ve been through way too much for you to ignore me like this.
I glance down at my phone, my stomach twisting into knots at the latest message. Another one from a new number. No matter what I do, he continues to find ways to get to me.
The words blur on the screen, sharp with hostility.
The demanding tone in the message is unmistakable, and the implication makes me sick. His texts used to be sporadic, popping up here and there. Now, they come daily, each one more aggressive than the last.
Angrier.
Like I owe him something.
Unsure what to do, I squeeze my eyes tightly shut until my cell chimes with another one.
It’s like I’m being bombarded.
Beaten down.
Unknown number:
I won’t fucking stand for it.
As I stare at the new message, I realize my hands are trembling.
My belly pinches at the thought of bringing this up to my parents. But what other choice is there?
I can just imagine Dad’s reaction.
He’s going to lose it.
And Mom will get upset all over again and blame herself for allowing us to get so close. For not seeing what was happening beneath her nose. I hate the guilt she carries regarding the situation.
They’ll threaten to pick up and move again, and I don’t want that to happen.
Not now.
Dad loves his new coaching position, and I’ve finally made some good friends. Real ones. I don’t want to lose that and start all over again.
I shove my phone into my jacket pocket, hoping it’s possible to block out the creeping sense of dread. But the feeling of being hunted continues to linger.