Entice by Harrison Ava

Author:Harrison, Ava
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: a novel
Publisher: AH Publishing
Published: 2019-09-13T16:00:00+00:00

A few days have passed, and I’m sitting out on my balcony, enjoying the calm of the courtyard.

When I sit out here, I’m not in the city. No, I’m transported back to France.

The view of the courtyard reminds me of the small village where Mom and I stayed last summer. The little balconies with small bistro tables. Red flowers draping off in vines down the side of the wrought iron.

I still haven’t heard anything, and it’s starting to weigh on me.

The phone rings, and I look over and see it’s Kim. We haven’t talked much since I’ve moved out.

I’m no longer mad at her or dad, but between moving out and work, I’ve been busy, plus I’d be lying if I also didn’t know I was pushing them both away. On purpose.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Hey, Riv. How are you, sweetheart?” she asks.

“I’m good,” I respond.

“It’s almost time for the Fourth of July party . . . aka the big day.” Her voice rings with thrill. “Are you excited for your birthday?”

“To be legal? Hell, yes,” I say. To have a party in my honor? Not so much.

“Is there anyone special you want me to invite, other than the usual?”

Her question has me going quiet. Is there? Other than my roommate and my new friends from work . . .

There’s Jaxson.

“Jaxson Price,” I respond.

“As in Grayson’s brother?”

“Yes.”

She doesn’t speak for a minute. “I see . . . is there something going on with you two?” she asks.

“We’re friends,” I respond because that’s the truth. We might be spending time together, but there is nothing there. I view him more like a brother than a lover. Unlike . . .

I wonder if Grayson will be there? I know she mentioned it to him, and he said he would, but that was a lifetime ago. Maybe he forgot.

A part of me wants to ask her if she did actually send him an invitation, but something stops me.

Maybe it’s because I don’t want to know if he was and then doesn’t show. My heart can’t handle that rejection.

“Okay, I’ll invite him. Will you be driving up with your dad or taking the train with your friends?” she asks.

“Probably taking a train with my roommate on Friday.”

“Sounds good. I can’t wait to see you, birthday girl,” she says.

“Thanks. Me too. See you soon,” I say before hanging up.

Another birthday.

I pick up the phone and call my mom again. The same voicemail picks up. When she gets to the part that says Namaste, I want to scream and beg that she shows up.

But, yet again, Mom won’t be there, and it reminds me of Grayson.

Of the first birthday with my dad.

I wonder if he realizes how much that meant to me.

No. Probably not.

He probably doesn’t even remember.

I sit outside for a few minutes longer before the heat of the day starts to get to me. These are the moments I miss going out east, and I’m happy to get back into the pool this weekend.

I miss swimming.

I miss the freedom it gives me.

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