Page 113 of Second Chance Mates

We sit in silence for a long moment. I can’t believe this.

“I didn’t know what to do,” he rasps. “I should have told you.”

“It’s fine.” I force a smile. “It doesn’t matter now, right? I remember, so it’s fine.”

“Don’t say it’s fine because it’s not.” Jaxon frowns. “I want to show you something.”

“What?”

He grabs the laptop sitting on the coffee table. He opens it up and taps away at the keys before turning the screen towards me. I move my eyes over the laptop to find it open on a site. Another memory I had completely forgotten.

Posted 2 years ago

I just wanted everyone to know I have decided to leave Russell Vale and travel around the world. I wanted to keep this quiet because I didn't want to say goodbye to my friends and family. This is something I have always wanted to do, and I am so happy I am finally free. Don't try to contact me. I want to start fresh with my life and make new memories. Ava x

“Oh my God,” I mumble under my breath. I move forward to scroll through the endless comments I had no idea people would make. I read them as quickly as my eyes can move until one comment stands out.

Kayleigh: How could you leave without even saying goodbye? I thought we were best friends! How could you leave me? Reply to my text now!!!!

A million questions fly around my head. Nausea creeps up my throat and claims me in a chokehold. Jax’s hand grips my fingers gingerly. “Ava?”

“She thought I left.” I stare at the screen blankly. “No one knows I was taken. No one looked for me.”

Tears swim in the crevice of my eyes once more. Jaxon moves the laptop away and twists his body towards mine. He doesn’t smother me in affection, which I’m grateful for. Instead, he takes my hands again. My brain has barely processed any of this information. It aches between my brows.

“Do you want to contact her?” he asks.

I glance at him in a dazed surprise. “Really?”

“Of course.” He brushes a strand of hair from my eyes and tucks it behind my shoulder. “I’d do anything to make you happy, Ava. If you want to contact her, visit her, or anything, you can do whatever you want. I kept this from you, and I want you to be able to see her as soon as you can. If that’s what you want.”

I release a quiet whimper and lean forward to wrap my arms around him, burying my head into his neck. “Thank you,” I mumble inaudibly as his arms secure around my back. “Thank you for not giving up. I know I’ve not been easy to deal with.”

“Ava.” He kisses my cheek. “I would have been there for you no matter what it takes. Don’t thank me for allowing you to see your friend. You don’t need permission for these things.”

I hold onto him for dear life.

Now that I can remember my past, I think about Kayleigh. I miss her. I miss being with her—more than I could ever comprehend. I pray she wants to see me after all these years and that she’ll give me a chance to explain.

38

AVA

Today is the day I’m going to see Kayleigh after two and a half years.

After my conversation with Jaxon, we got in contact with her. We video called each other because I don’t think she believed I was real. When her face popped up on the screen, tears started to flow.

I found out she’s attending a university sixty miles from here. Jaxon said she could come to the pack house to see me while being trailed by our guards for safety into the district.

The intense butterflies make my stomach churn. I know I need some normality from my old life.

Kayleigh wasn’t just a best friend to me; she was like a sister.

Jaxon kneads his thumbs into the muscles on my shoulders. “Relax, baby,” he whispers, giving my cheek a peck. “This is good. This is exciting.”

“I know.” I chew on my lip. “I’m apprehensive.”

He hums against my jaw gently before wrapping his arms around me from behind. I latch onto his arm and smile at the warmth of his body. A moment to embrace his calmness—God knows I need it.

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