Page 5 of Fractured Faceoff

But was he worthy of her?

Doubtful.

In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that no one matched up for her. Not a single person could meet the standards she deserved. It wasn't just about looks or charm; it was about understanding her complexities, appreciating her strength and vulnerability in equal measure.

A car horn blared outside, snapping me back to reality. I moved away from the window and continueddown the hallway, my limp more pronounced with each step. The building’s fluorescent lights cast a sterile glow over everything, making it all feel surreal.

I reached the elevator and pressed the button, leaning against the wall as I waited. My mind wandered back to Ava for a moment—how different she was from Isla. Ava was all fire and unpredictability, while Isla had this quiet intensity that drew you in without even trying.

The elevator dinged open, and I stepped inside, grateful for the momentary solitude. As the doors closed, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirrored walls. Tired eyes stared back at me, haunted by past decisions and present uncertainties.

But one thing was clear: Isla had grown into someone remarkable, someone who deserved nothing less than extraordinary from anyone who dared to enter her life.

The elevator doors opened again with a soft chime, and I stepped out into the lobby. The cool evening air greeted me as I exited the building, bringing with it a sense of clarity.

No one matched up for her—not now, not ever.

And as I moved towards my car, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of pride and protectiveness for Isla Sawyer—the woman who had become so much more than just Ava’s younger sister.

I stepped out into the evening air, the crispness biting at my skin. The parking lot stretched out before me, cars lined up like obedient soldiers. Mine stood out, a Ford pickup—sleek, black, and as rebellious as I used to be. It had a low growl that sent shivers down your spine every time you turned the key. I loved it.

I unlocked the door and slid into the driver’s seat, the leather cool against my back. The familiar scent of wornleather and gasoline filled my senses, grounding me in the present. Isla’s face flashed in my mind again—those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me.

But no, I couldn’t dwell on Isla. She hated me, always had. She never fell for my charm like others did. I knew better than to waste time thinking about someone who saw right through my facade. She was Ava’s sister and nothing more.

I turned the key in the ignition, feeling the engine roar to life beneath me. It was a sound that always gave me a rush—a reminder that some things never changed, even when everything else did.

Right now, though, I needed to focus on something else—someone else.

Ava.

It had been months since I last saw her, tangled up in her sheets, lost in each other. My fingers tightened around the steering wheel at the thought of her—fiery, unpredictable Ava.

I pulled out of the parking lot, leaving behind any lingering thoughts of Isla. Ava was waiting for me; she always was when I called. Our relationship was anything but conventional, but it worked for us. She knew me in ways no one else did, and I craved that connection.

As I drove through the city streets, memories of Ava flooded back—her laughter echoing in my ears, her touch igniting a fire within me. We had our secrets and our own little world where nothing else mattered.

The streetlights blurred past as I picked up speed, eager to reach her place. It felt like forever since I last felt her skin against mine since we last lost ourselves ineach other’s arms.

No more distractions. No more thoughts of Isla or anything else.

Just Ava and me.

And tonight, nothing would come between us.

I pulled into the suburbs, the Mustang's engine rumbling softly as I coasted through the quiet streets. The houses here were all neatly lined up, each one a carbon copy of the next with their well-manicured lawns and white picket fences. Ava’s house stood out though, not because it was different, but because I knew what secrets it held inside.

I parked a few houses down, under the shadow of a large oak tree. The warm September night wrapped around me as I stepped out of the car. The scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers lingered in the air. I took a deep breath, savoring the moment before heading to her front door.

The house itself was picture-perfect—two stories, brick facade, with ivy creeping up one side. The windows glowed softly from within, casting a welcoming light on the porch. It looked like any other family home, a place where dreams were made and lived out. But behind those walls, things were far more complicated.

That should be my house.

Ava should be my girl in an official capacity.

I wanted her since we were kids. I told my brother…

And fuck it if Kash didn’t take her for himself, the goddamn bastard.

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