Page 38 of Perfectly Imperfect Us
In other circumstances, the flapping of her mouth as she tried to come back with an excuse would have been comical. But as it was, I was too angry to find humor in anything. I had to get out of there before I started funneling that anger into doing or saying something I’d regret later. I wouldn’t stoop to Kyly’s level.
I left the room, pulling Skylar with me when she looked like she wanted to stay and tussle, her own revengeful thoughts probably mirroring my own. Best to just get Kyly out of town and let the dust settle. More importantly, I needed to get to Ava and fix the damage that had been done. I hated that my actions caused her pain. I just promised myself a week ago I’d never be the cause of her crying and now look what I’d done. Sure, it was inadvertent. Kyly had done the damage, but I’d let her. I was just as much to blame and I’d take full responsibility.
“I need to talk to Ava. How is she?” I asked Skylar when we went back downstairs. I needed to slam some coffee, then come up with a plan to apologize and explain the situation to Ava. The urgency of the matter burned away at the edges of my thoughts. I had to fix this. Now.
Skylar snorted. “How do you think she’s doing? You show up in town with that—well, I had some choice words for her, but I’ll take the high road—thatwoman, breaking Ava’s heart. And then Ava’s biggest secret is exposed because of you?”
Skylar just shook her head as my heart tumbled over in my chest. Hearing the pain I’d caused put into words just made the guilt amplify. If I were Ava, I wouldn’t forgive me. Ever. The betrayal would be too cruel to ever look past.
The coffee turned bitter in my mouth and I set my coffee cup back down on the counter. The anger that had burned hot since I found out what Kyly had done fizzled out, leaving me with a sense of dread and heartache. I’d hurt Ava. And I was pretty sure I’d ruined everything we had together.
I finally found a woman I could see myself with for the rest of my life and I’d ruined it.
“I don’t get it, Ryder. Why the hell did you dump Ava for Kyly?” Skylar spat her name like it tasted bad in her mouth.
I knew the feeling. I lifted my gaze and endured the judgment on Skylar’s face. I deserved it and more.
“I had my reasons, but that doesn’t even matter anymore. I need to talk to Ava.”
A door slammed loudly, followed by a rhythmic clunking and cursing. Kyly finally walked into the kitchen, her suitcase in tow, her hair in a huge bun thing on top of her head and sunglasses already in place.
“I’m outta here. Thanks for nothing, Ryder.” Her lip pulled up in a sneer right before she twirled around in a dramatic huff and headed to the front door.
Mom came hustling down the hallway, having woken up with all the commotion. “Going so soon, dear?” she called out to Kyly’s back, her tone desperate.
I rolled my eyes and wished for a different life. One where I didn’t have a social-climbing mother, or connections to conniving women who use and abuse. One where I didn’t fall in love with Ava, break her heart, and then my own when I lost her. How did I even get here?
I pulled out my phone and stared at it.
“Think she’ll talk to me?” I asked quietly.
Skylar sighed, but didn’t answer.
My stomach dropped further. I had to try though. I’d need to grovel and hope to God she’d give me a chance to explain.
I hit her number and put the phone to my ear. It rang and rang, each second she didn’t pick up driving another knife into my heart. Her voicemail came on and I nearly teared up at the sound of her voice.
“Hey, Ava. I, uh, I know things are messed up right now. And I’m so sorry. It’s not what you think and I really want to explain it to you. And apologize, of course. Just…call me back? Please?”
I hung up and made sure my phone ringer was on so I’d hear it when she called back. Skylar snorted again and I immediately wondered how I could get her to leave.
“You really think she’s going to call you back?” Skylar stepped forward, the disdain evident in the arch of her eyebrows. “You ruined her life.Humiliatedher. And you think one quick voicemail will have her racing to call you back and give you a second chance? Boy, the tabloids must be true. Youaredumb.”
She twirled around, not unlike Kyly just a few moments ago, and huffed out of the room. What was with these women? Women loved me normally. Why were they all turning on me now? I’d just been trying to help Kyly and somehow made all the women in my life hate me instead.
I scrubbed a hand over my face. I needed to take a shower and shave. Get some breakfast, put on a nice outfit and get ready to grovel when Ava called me back. Because shewouldcall me back.
She had to.
Because I didn’t know what to do with myself if she didn’t.
16
Ava
By the time I woke up, Skylar was in the kitchen making pancakes. Kadee had left to go to work and Lacey was folding up the blankets and helping with the dirty dishes from last night.
Ugh. Last night.
