Chapter 0143
“Never in my life have I seen a person’s heart melt so fast when it comes to my dog. Most people usually find him annoying as
hell” the warm voice makes me whip my head so fast, I almost break it in the
process.
Holy smokes. The man was hot this close up. Black hair, green eyes, high cheekbones, a chiselled jaw line, l*ps that begged to
be k*ssed and a b*dy that enticed you to do dirty things. He was freaking hot and
he knew it.
I know what you’re thinking. ‘Slow down Ava, you got fooled once by great looks, don’t make the same
mistake again‘.
I wasn’t. I swore off love and men, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate a fine specimen when I
see one. I’m not blind.
“Have we met before?” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. “It’s just that you look
familiar“.
He stares for a while before answering. “Yes, we used to go to the same school, you were two years
behind me“.
I
I try to remember him, but it still doesn’t ring much of a bell. Probably because I was so obsessed with
Rowan that I didn’t see anyone else.
“Calvin Garcia” he supplies when I still continue staring at him confused.
The moment he mentions his name, it hits me.
“Oh my goodness, you’re Nerdy Cal” for some weird reason, I shriek this.
He groans at the name he used to go by when he was in school. He glares at me, but it doesn’t faze me at
all.
Wow, you had a big F***ing glow up” I stare at him dumbfounded.
The Cal I remember was skinny, with too wide glasses that kept slipping down his nose. He had braces
and his face used to be covered in big red pimples.
He was also a nerd, spent most of his time studying in the library while others his age were busy F***ing
in the janitor’s closet.
To simply put it, he wasn’t someone you would look at twice.
He looked good now. Really good. I am glad that everything worked out for him. He changed into someone any woman would
die to have. He was now in the same category as Rowan.
“Yeah, well, thanks” he says awkwardly.
“I also remember you used to have a massive crush on Emma, how did that crush turn out for you?” I teased. I wasn’t trying to
be mean or anything.
When he wasn’t studying, just like all the other boys, he was busy following Emma around like a lost puppy.
The only problem was that Emma had eyes for Rowan only. When they started dating, they were the it
couple.
Every boy except Gabe and Travis wanted to be in Rowan’s shows. Every girl wanted to be in Emma’s
shoes.
“And you loved Rowan, how did that turn out for you?” He fired back in irritation.
“Touché” I murmur.
The pain was still there, but I managed to push it away.
I didn’t know Cal that way, but I thanked God on his behalf. Thanked him for looking after Cal, happy that he never got a chance
with Emma.
Emma’s love for Rowan would have destroyed him, just like Rowan’s love for Emma destroyed me.
“Dad, can I watch TV?” The sweet voice pulls me from my bitter memories.
I turn to find a cute boy standing behind Cal. He had the same captivating green eyes as his father.
I
“Hi, my name is Ava” I just couldn’t help myself.
“Hello” he says shyly, and my heart immediately falls in love with him.
“What’s your name?” I ask him gently.
Gunner
1 have a son about your age, his name is Noah. How about you come over and meet him when he gets out of school? He’ll be
excited to have a new friend.” I pause before adding. “If it’s okay with your dad,
that is
see him looking up at Cal. A silent conversation passes between them, before Cal sighs in defeat.
simply says
I stare at him. My eyes focused on his. I was trying to decode him, and I wasn’t ashamed of that. There was something in his
eyes that called out to me.
He shifts uncomfortably. “Well I’m sorry that Rex ruined your garden. I’ll get someone to come tomorrow
and fix it“.
So the husky was called Rex? It sort of fitted him.
“Rex” Cal called him, and he immediately went to his owner.
uch a very wide
After he gives me a nod and Gunner gives me a smile, they leave my backyard through a very opening that I have never noticed
before.
I stare at their backs as they walk to their house. It’s only after they’ve left, and I’ve been standing there like an idiot that I realize
what I saw in his eyes.
I saw pain. I saw hurt. I saw a wounded soul
In his eyes, I saw the same kind of darkness that I have been trying to run away for years without much
cuccess.
In him, I saw a kindred spirit.
I
Even as all these revelations flooded my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder what had caused him such pain.