Strings

Chapter 13

Avery

I woke up feeling well rested and comfortable. Like I finally had a good night's sleep after so very long. I sit straight and stretch my arms around relishing at how amazing I felt this morning.

I am not a morning person. At all. So waking up felling all nice and refreshed is nothing less than a shock.

And then it hit me. I jerk up straight, my body stiffening instantly and I can feel the treacherous red flame all over my face and neck.

Holy shit.
Holy holy shit.

I slept with him. I slept with the Hayden Knight. Ohmygod. Ohmygod.

Okay well not like that I know.
But still!
I slept next to him on one bed. Hell, not even a bed. A couch, for crying out loud.
No man has ever been that close with me.
No one. Not once. Not ever.

And to think I was having my first good night's sleep in ages, all curled up next to the devil himself. Jeez.

As I was still furiously rocking back and forth replaying all the images from last night in my head, Julia comes into my line of vision.

"Oh, Avery you're up! I would've been worried if you would've slept any longer." She chuckles.

I grunt in response. Not finding anything about this situation amusing.

"Why don't you go freshen up, and I'll prepare your breakfast in the meanwhile." She smiles warmly.

I return the smile, and as I walk to the staircase, I notice Julia's already cleaned up all the mess from last night.
My heart starts beating faster just thinking about last night's events. I have no idea what took over me or Where that confidence came from.

I notice my swollen ankle had been tended to, all bandaged perfectly and it felt a lot less sore as well. Julia really was a lifesaver.

I go up to my room, and take a nice warm shower, which was very much needed because I knew I had Hayden's distinct smell all over me.

What is it about men's cologne that lasts forever when women's perfume washes over after like 30 minutes??
Talk about all things unfair, I think rolling my eyes, trying extremely hard to shift my focus from Hayden's delish smell to the unfairness in the beauty industry.

I change into some light blue track pants and pair it with a comfy violet cropped wool sweater and make my way back down.

I sit on the kitchen counter, legs dandling, watching Julia making her insanely delicious breakfast burrito.

"Are you okay Miss? You seem quieter than usual." Julia says.

"Yeah, no I am fine, I've just been thinking about a few things that's all" I respond as she places my plate in front of me.

"Oh and thanks Julia" I say after a while as my eyes fall on my feet again.

"For what, Miss?" She questions back, looking confused.

"For dressing up my swollen ankle, it feels soooo much better" I say smiling widely.

"Oh, Miss I didn't do that" she says slowly.

"What?"

"My apologies Avery, but I didn't tend to your ankle. But I do have a very strong hunch of who may have." She says, a very distinct glint in her eyes.

My face flames up as I think about Hayden dressing my ankle up as I slept.
Not knowing how to respond I just take another bite of my breakfast, suddenly losing my appetite as Julia let's out a small laugh.