Page 6 of Fractured Faceoff

They’d been together ever since.

I walked up the path, my footsteps barely making a sound on the stone walkway. As I reached the front door, I hesitated for just a moment before knocking. My heart pounded in my chest, not from fear but from anticipation.

It took a moment, but then I heard movement inside—footsteps approaching. The door swung open to reveal Ava standing there.

She looked just as I remembered: fierce and untamed. Her dark hair cascaded down in loose waves, framing her sharp features. Her eyes—those piercing blue eyes—locked onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. She wore a simple tank top and jeans, but she made it look like high fashion.

“Jared,” she said, her voice low and steady. She didn’t need to say more; her eyes told me everything I needed to know. "What are you?—"

“Ava,” I replied, matching her tone. "It's been so long."

Without a word, I cupped her face in my hands and pressed my lips to hers. Her mouth was warm, but she didn’t kiss back right away. I felt her hesitation like a cold splash of water.

Then, after a moment, she responded—but it was lackluster, mechanical. It wasn’t the fiery passion I remembered. I pulled away, searching her eyes for answers as she quickly shut the door behind us.

“What… what’s going on?” I asked, confusion knotting my brow.

“You can’t just drop by unexpectedly,” she admonished, her voice a mix of frustration and something else—worry? “Kash could have been here?—”

“I know my baby brother, sweetheart,” I said with a half-smile. “He ain’t here, is he? It’s just you and me. Why don’t we get reacquainted…”

“Didn’t you get my text?” she asked, moving towards the kitchen without meeting my eyes.

“What text?” I followed her, feeling the tensioncrackle in the air.

She sighed deeply. “It’s not a good time, Jared,” she said quietly, still avoiding eye contact as she busied herself at the counter.

Something felt off. Her movements were too precise, too controlled—like she was holding something back. But I brushed it off and leaned against the doorway with a casual ease that masked my unease.

“You know,” I drawled with a grin, “I’ve always admired your sense of timing. Just wish it matched mine tonight.”

Ava glanced up briefly, but her eyes didn’t sparkle with their usual mischief. Instead, they were clouded with something I couldn’t quite place.

"Don't you get tired of this?" she asked, her voice tinged with weariness. "Sneaking around."

"Actually, I like it," I said, leaning in closer, letting my Southern charm seep into my words. "Keeps things excitin'. Adds a bit of spice to our lives. Don't you think?"

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow, doubt flickering in her eyes. "This is what you want?"

"Well, darling," I drawled, letting the endearment roll off my tongue like honey. "If I recall, you said you were going to let Kash know about this. And then we wouldn't have to do this."

"And you wouldn't care what they say about you?" Her voice dropped to a whisper as she looked away. "How they would… talk about how you stole your brother's…" She let her voice trail off.

I didn't hesitate. I grabbed her waist, pulling her close. "I don't care," I said firmly. "Not if it means I get you."

She sighed, looking away again, her body tense in my arms.

"What's going on, Ava?" I asked softly, tilting her chinso she had to meet my gaze. "You changing your mind about things?"

I kissed her neck gently, feeling the slight shiver that ran through her at my touch.

"What do you want from me?" I whispered against her skin. "Tell me and I'll give it to you."

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "Why would you do that?"

"I told you," I said, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. "I'm in love with you, Ava Sawyer. Always have been."

Ava reluctantly wrapped her arms around me, her head resting on my chest. For a moment, I just held her, savoring the rare intimacy. The thought of us out in the open, of calling her mine, sent a thrill through me.

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