Page 85 of Hexes and Exes

In Ava’s own words, I tried to Benji her. I didn’t give her a choice. I made the decision all on my own because I thought I was doing the right thing. I was trying to be a good man. As if Ava can’t make her own decisions. My head falls back, and I groan.

Roman slaps my shoulder and nods. “We’re idiots sometimes, but they usually forgive us. We really don’t deserve these women, but we can try to be better.”

“I’m going to need to apologize.” I’m still not sure this is the best idea, but there’s a kernel of hope swelling in my body. Sure, everything is fucked up at the moment, but maybe I can fix one thing in my life.

36

AVA

Istep into the ballroom of the Grand Mystic Resort and gasp. I helped design the decorations, but I hadn’t seen everything complete when I left earlier. I was here to confirm the food was prepped, and the stage and equipment were set up for the band. That the drinks were ready to be poured, and the high tables scattered around the perimeter of the room had been set with the perfectly arranged flowers and candles. I managed to avoid seeing Bram through some stroke of fortune. Whether it was good or ill depends on my emotions at a given moment in time.

I left to go get ready and now, taking the first step into the ballroom feels like I’m walking into a different world. The theme of the party is a dark fairy tale. It might be Valentine’s Day, but that’s just a silly human holiday. Lupercalia is a festival of sensation, of lust and fertility, and that’s the look now taking over the hotel. Magical flowering vines crawl up the walls, dripping with fragrant blooms. The chandelier has been transformed from electric to candles for the night, makingthe room glow. Black silk drapes across the ceiling, hanging in billowing waves of fabric. It’s dark, lush, and sensual.

Some of the council were here earlier to inspect the ballroom. I gave them a wide berth. They placed runes around the room for prosperity and unity. I know very little about runes, so they could just as easily summon a demon. They're scattered over the floor in a pretty pattern. The symbols jive with the overall feeling of the masquerade, but I don't understand why the council had to add them. They trust them with the entire planning of the party, but not this element. I don't like it.

My mask is in my hands, not yet covering my face. Soon the rest of the coven will be here, and it’ll be time to hide. I walk the perimeter of the room, amazed by the transformation that I helped envision. The band is tuning their instruments, and they start playing a haunting melody when my eyes are drawn to the double doors leading into the ballroom. Stepping inside, in a black toga held together at one shoulder, draped to show off a whole lot of his torso, is Bram. He hasn’t gained fifty pounds in the nearly two weeks since I’ve seen him, nor has he turned into a toad. If anything, he’s even more gorgeous than I remember. The fabric flows all the way to the ground, but is swooped low on the one side, showing off his ribs and abs. His dark hair is pushed back from his face and his eyes are locked on me.

My heart leaps into my throat, and I don’t know if I want to scream or cry. Why did I ever think I had a chance at something real with this man? Here he is, practically a god, and I’m just…me. Bram pauses on threshold, looking transfixed. His black mask is dangling from his fingers. We’re too far away from each other to speak without shouting. What would we say anyway? His eyes drop and he takes in my dress.

Mouth parting, he sucks in a breath. When his gaze finally lifts to meet mine, there’s a soft smile on his face. Almost as if he’s come to terms with something. I wonder what?

I’m just as stunned as he appears to be. It’s almost as if he knew I was being Lethe tonight and he matched his costume to mine. The goddess of forgetting and the god of the underworld. He holds up a black horned mask and cocks his head. I nod and we both put on the last pieces of our costumes, covering our true selves behind the facade of a fairytale creature.

As if that’s a signal to the Triad, the doors fling open, and people begin pouring in. The outfits range from over the top, full-blown wedding type gowns to simple dresses and masks. The men are in everything from three-piece suits to a pair of boxer briefs. I chuckle as I think of my father seeing the man in his underwear. We did specify on the invites that the theme was fairytale masquerade, but people will interpret that however they like.

The sight makes me happy. An unexpected swell of pride bubbles up inside of me as the band begins to play a cover of a popular song. Chatter and laughter add to the soundtrack of the night. Bram is quickly lost in a sea of witches—not that I’m keeping tabs on him. At all. I’m kept busy for a long stretch of time, talking with the staff and making sure everything is running smoothly. I haven’t even seen my brother or friends yet, and thankfully not my parents either.

A slow song starts to play. A longing, like I’m a kid at a middle school dance, brings an ache to my chest. I want to be on the dance floor with my crush holding me tight as we sway back-and-forth to the music.

“Ava, I insist on a dance.”

I jerk around and barely suppress a groan when I find Jamie grinning behind me. He’s dressed as a Disney prince, complete with a cape and leggings. His mask is small and barely covers his face. I instantly regret the fact that my mask doesn’t cover more of my face. Maybe I could’ve gone incognito for a little bit longer.

“Oh, thanks, but I’ve got a lot to do so… Have fun tonight.” I walk away, trying to be polite, but firm. Except Jamie grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor without my permission.

“Come on, Ava. We always had good rhythm together. You’ll dance with me for old time’s sake, won’t you?”

I shove down the repulsion and the acidic response. He always thought he could move much better than in reality. I long to tell him he sucks as much on the dance floor as he did in bed. We’re in the middle of a crowded dance floor though, so I bite back my words.

“I’m really busy. I don’t want to dance right now, and I have other things to do.”

Jamie has my fingers clasped tightly in his. His other hand moves to my waist, and he pulls me in close to his body. If I struggle, people will turn and watch. The coven council has taken up residence in a corner of the room where additional seating has been brought in. I didn’t tell anyone to cart in those extra chairs, which means someone on the council directed the staff to essentially make them a VIP area. Pricks. The whole point of this event is about coven unity.

Nothing like elevating yourself above others to foster inclusivity.

I sigh and let Jamie sway our bodies to a slightly offbeat tempo.

“You know, you look really good tonight, Ava.” The surprise in Jamie’s voice shouldn’t sting, but it’s like he has this ability to bring back the doubts I have about myself with one sentence.

My skin crawls when his tongue comes out to wet his bottom lip and his eyes travel down and back up my body.

“Honestly, if you would have put in this kind of effort when we were together, maybe things wouldn’t have ended the way that they did.”

I stop moving, forcing Jamie to stand still or fight me. “Excuse me. Are you saying it’s my fault you cheated?” No. I won’t let this piece of shit keep doing this. All my life, I’ve been trained to be polite. To be the bigger person. To walk away or do what I’ve been told. I’m fucking sick of the silence. I’m so damn tired of being polite.

“Be honest with yourself, Ava. You practically gave me permission.”

I tug at my hand, trying to free it, and glare at him. He's holding my fingers so tight they’re going numb.

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