All Hallows Eve, Vol. 3

Chapter 5

Five

Ava

My tea is hot, just like I like it. Setting it on the coffee table, I find something to watch until I have to get ready.

I normally put the TV on for noise, as this big house is always quiet. Dad is always doing whatever he does as mayor and Mom is usually out having lunch or dinner with friends. By the time I am home, the housekeeper is done, too.

My parents might keep busy, but I never feel unloved. Their relationship is strong, and they still hold hands and tease each other. Relationship goals.

Since I’m always home by myself, I have the TV on all the time. When my sister still lived at home, she was never here either, which was nice. It’s still nice. A giant house people use for TV and sleeping. Seems a bit big for just that.

The TV is on, I’m reading, getting lost in my latest book when I realize the time.

I need to get ready, though I’m not going all out. I’ve always been a tee shirt and jeans kind of girl. God, I must have looked frumpy compared to Roark, who always dresses in tailored clothes. Pressed jeans, designer t-shirts or dress shirts, the best shoes, from Italy, of course. No wonder he went after my sister.

Again, whatever.

I find a black long sleeve crop top, pull on some black ripped jeans, and a horror character cardigan. 'Tis the season and all. White converses complete my outfit. I brush my hair out and braid it before brushing my teeth. I look in the mirror. I actually like what I see. It has taken a while to get here.

Grabbing my keys, I text Dillon and Sandy, letting them know I’ll meet them at Wolf Coffee. I need my coffee fix. I lock up and pull my cardigan closer as the wind has picked up a little bit. Hopefully it won’t rain.

The drive is short, and I park at town hall, texting Dad, so he knows. He and mom are going out to dinner. I don’t want my car towed. I don’t think anyone will mess with it, but just to be sure.

Dillon is leaning up against the wall, and Sandy is laughing at something he said as I walk up.

“Finally,” Sandy throws her hands in the air and snorts.

“I’m not late,” I tell her as I pull the door open and run into someone.

Everen.

I stumble back, but he catches me. “Small fry.”

I yank my arm away. “Stop calling me that.”

He just chuckles and then leans in close. “You’re my small fry. And I won’t stop calling you that. It’s cute if you think you can make me stop.”

I gasp when he kisses my earlobe before pushing past me. What is going on?

Sandy gives me a weird look, but I shrug the encounter off.

We order our drinks and decide to walk around. Dillon keeps us entertained with a commentary on the costume contest. He is so funny.

We hit the booths, play games, but for some reason I can’t shake the last couple of days with the guys.

Was I wrong to break off my engagement?

Am I wrong about them? All of them?

I’m about to ask Sandy something when the sky opens up and rain pours down. Everyone runs to find cover and I’m separated from my friends. I start running toward the town hall and lightning hits right in front of me. I fly back, but someone catches me.

I look up into Roan’s eyes. Some people can’t tell the twins apart, but I can.

“I got you,” he says, turning the corner and opening his door to his car.

He sets me inside and I shiver from the cold, staring at the rain as it comes down. We have had little rain since spring. But of course, it rains, finally, tonight. The booth the lighting hit sparked, but the rain put it out quickly.

Roan gets in on his side, shakes the water from his head, and reaches in the back for something. He grabs a blanket and places it over my lap.

“When it lets up, I’ll drive you over to your car.”

I don’t respond. I just sit there, listening to the rain.

It’s weird being in his car.

When we were all friends, Roan and I would sit outside on his porch when it rained, listening to it hit the roofs of the homes, watch the lighting. He always made me a cup of tea for me before we would sit on the porch swing, protected by the porch roof. It was our thing.

I had something with each of the guys. Everen it was food. We would try new things. Since Chestnut Falls is small, we would drive to the city and seek restaurants that had different cuisines from around the world. I laughed when he tried escargot for the first time. He didn’t like it. Me either.

With Bastian, it was books. We both loved to read. We had our own little book club. We’d read the same book and discuss each chapter over a beer or two.

With Roark, it was traveling. When he got his driver’s license, we hit the road on the weekends and saw the sights. We both loved history as well, so everywhere we went held some historical value. We’ve been to Salem several times, taking different night tours, getting different perspectives about the witch trials. And the houses? So charming.

With Roan, it was rain.

So this night brings back a lot of memories.

“Ava,” he whispers, and I turn toward him, seeing sadness in his eyes.

I hold my hand up. “Roan, whatever you’re going to say, don’t. You abandoned me when I needed you guys.”

He agrees, “I know and I’m sorry. Please, just talk to us, hear us out.”

I shake my head. “There’s nothing to say.”

I don’t let him respond. I hand him the blanket, step out of his car and run through the rain back to my car. I can’t handle more heartbreak. I haven’t been okay since everything went down.

Maybe I need therapy.