Page 37 of Second Chance Mates

My sister shakes her head. “We got up early and did them this morning. But you wouldn’t know because you’re too busy working away in your office.”

“For important reasons.”

Lucy dismisses me. “But it will be good to get some fresh air and get away from the house.”

I turn back to Ava, who is holding her scalding tea between her hands and raising it to her lips. “Do you want to?”

Those eyes cut to mine, and she pulls back. “I–Uhh–” She pauses. “I don’t have anything to wear.”

“You can have something of mine,” Lucy interjects. “Might be good for you to get out of the house. What do you think?”

She flicks her gaze between the three of us. “Oh…” Her throat constricts.

“You don’t have to. Don’t feel pressured.”

“No.” Ava shakes her head. “I want to. Like you said, it’ll be good to get out of the house. I think I could do with a change of scenery.”

Lucy claps her hands together. “Amazing. We’re just going to grab our things, and then we can leave in half an hour. I’ll leave some clothes on your bed, Ava.”

“Thanks,” she says from behind me.

Soon, she leaves to pack her things together and get dressed. I do the same. I can’t remember the last time I was at the lake. It’s been a long few years since I enjoyed my free time.

I tell Kayden to take charge whilst I’m gone. It’s rare I take time for myself—except for my dark days. Now, it’s not just for me; it’s for Ava, too. If getting her out of the house can help with her mental battle in any way, then I’m here to try it.

Lucy and Sebastian are waiting for me when I reach the bottom of the stairs. Ava tucks a piece of hair behind her ear as she watches me approach. To my surprise, she smiles, stretching those pretty pink lips.

We jump in my car and take the short journey to the lake. Luckily, it’s on our property, meaning it’s ours whenever we want to use it. It’s one of the benefits of owning a lot of land within our district and guaranteeing privacy.

The car comes to a stop, and Ava glances out the window at the entrance to the lake. She pops the door open and steps out, leaving her hand on the edge of the window. “Wow,” she whispers. “It’s beautiful.”

I step out after her and look across the lake that the sun is gleaming off. The tall trees crowd the rippling water, making the place look majestic. I’ve always loved coming here—it reminds me of where I grew up, and this feels like home from home.

“The water is so clear,” Ava whispers under her breath.

My mouth forms a smile. “Did you think it was going to be murky and green?”

“Yeah. I guess I did. I don’t know why.”

“Ahhh, I love it here,” Lucy squeals as she joins us. “Let’s set up and get into the water. It’s a hot one today.”

As she rushes away with Sebastian, I glance back at Ava, who grabs her bag and takes timid steps towards the lakefront. “You okay?” I ask.

A soft hum vibrates through her lips. “Yeah. I’m just–” She pauses. “I’m grateful to be here.”

Something weird happens to my heart. A pang almost sends me toppling over. I struggle to take my eyes off her as she takes in every last detail of the lake. She’s counting her blessings for this freedom.

All I know is that revenge will be sweet.

Lucy and Sebastian are already swimming off towards the other side. “Do you want to get in?” I ask before grabbing the hem of my T-shirt from my neck and tugging it off my body.

Ava’s eyes immediately focus on my bare chest, and then she blinks once, then twice. I clear my throat quietly as her cheeks bleed with a blush that makes her look incredibly innocent. My head tilts down to my abs and muscles, which are all packed together. If anything came from Julia's passing, I spent a lot of time exercising to get myself out of the darkest depths of hell.

“Yeah,” she says after a long moment. I turn around when she takes off her leggings. “I feel more comfortable going in like this.”

She’s in one of Lucy’s old T-shirts. I nod my understanding. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

I know I shouldn’t be looking, but I do. Her arms and legs are beginning to fill out from when she first came to the house. She’s been eating her portions and even going in for seconds, which makes my heart sing with pride. I’m relieved she’s treating her body with the care and love it needs. But when I look down to her ankles to find scars of where she’s been shackled and cuts and marks across her thighs and arms from where she’s endured pain over and over, I tell myself to take a breath.

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