Vow of Devotion by Emma Renshaw

Author:Emma Renshaw [Renshaw, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-24T18:30:00+00:00

Ava: Are you free?

I stand from the table. “Be back.” I walk toward the water and hit dial.

“Hello?”

“Bluebonnet.” Her nickname spills from my lips at the sound of her voice. I’ve missed her soft, lilting tones. It’s only been a few days. I haven’t yet convinced her to take a chance on us, but she’s infiltrated every part of me. Her voice sounds off though.

“What are you doing tonight?”

“I’m at a friend’s house.” I take a few steps closer to the lake. The wind has calmed and the surface of the water is smoothing out before my eyes. I wish Ava were next to me gazing up at the stars while I gazed at her.

“Oh.” She’s barely said a word, but her voice sounds worse with each syllable.

“What’s going on?”

A sob breaks over the line.

“Ava?”

“Can—” Another sob breaks from her, and my chest sags open while my heart cracks in two. “Can you come over?”

I race out of the house, goodbye barely out of my mouth before I’m pushing the pedal to the floor.

Fifteen minutes later, I still haven’t taken in a full breath. My fist knocks against the door of her apartment, the black and orange wreath sporting spiders and bats rattling with each beat. Halloween not for another few weeks, but Lilly is excited to go trick or treating in my neighborhood.

At the sound of Lilly crying, knocking turns to pounding. There could be anything on the other side of this door. I need to get on the other side of it, see both my girls with my own eyes.

Come on, Ava, baby. Open the door. Open the door.

Finally, after what feels like an hour of slamming my hand against the door, it opens. My heart freezes in my throat. Ava stands there, propped against the doorframe, her hand clutching it as if it’s the only reason she’s still standing. Her blond hair, which is usually free and curling down her back, is falling out of a bun on the top of her head.

A long, wet stain is smeared across her shirt. Her eyes are red rimmed, bloodshot, and glassy. Her bottom lip quivers as she stares at me. My eyes roll over her from top to toe. Three times. After confirming that she’s okay, she’s without holes or broken bones or any other terrible thing that was torturing my mind on the drive over, I suck in a deep breath. My first real breath since she called.

“Ava,” I whisper.

Her gaze falls to her bare feet, a hand coming up to her face as her shoulders start to shake. I reach out, pulling her toward me until she crashes into my chest. My hand weaves into her tangled hair as my other arm bands around her back. Ava’s fists come up between us, resting on my chest. She cries harder when my lips land on the top of her head.

“What’s happening, sweetheart?”

“Why?” she whimpers.

“Why what?”

“Why would you want this?” Her fists tap against my chest with each word. She tries to back up a step, but I keep her tight against me.

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