I SLEPT WITH A GHOST

GHOST 5.

I blinked several times, trying to adjust to the darkness around me. When had I fallen asleep?

I had expected to wake up around noon, but the clock on the wall read 9:00 p.m.

With a yawn, I pushed myself out of bed and stretched. My hair was a disaster, even by my standards. I really needed to stop tossing around in my sleep.

I had a flight to catch tomorrow. I should start packing before it got too late. Tess might have fallen asleep too, so I would remind her when I came out.

I headed for the closet—or what passed for one—and noticed the light spilling from the living room. At least she was awake.

I pulled out the old suitcase Mark and I had bought together. Whenever we travelled, we shared it because he couldn't afford one of his own. Looking back, almost everything he owned had come from me. I stared at the suitcase for a moment before forcing myself to look away.

Enough. I need to stop thinking about him.

We should never have been together in the first place. I'd given that man everything, and he'd repaid me by leaving me with nothing but humiliation and unanswered questions.

I packed my essentials, making sure I hadn't forgotten anything before zipping the suitcase shut. I had no idea where Tess planned for us to stay in LA, but I couldn't keep worrying about that tonight. The rent on this apartment had been overdue for six months. We couldn't stay here much longer anyway.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I stepped into the living room. Then I stopped dead.

Josh was sitting on the sofa, uncomfortably close to Tess. He turned at the sound of my footsteps, and Tess immediately jumped to her feet. “Um, I was going to tell you he came, but you were still sleeping.”

I barely heard her. My attention was fixed on my brother. What was he doing here? Had he come to mock me? After everything I'd done, I probably deserved it. “Why are you here, Josh?”

He stood up. “Who told you I came here for you? Tess said she's leaving for LA tomorrow, so I decided to stop by.”

I folded my arms. “Since when do you care about Tess?”

“Since my so-called sister replaced me with her ex.” He let out a bitter chuckle. “Speaking of him, where is he now? Oh, right. Enjoying life with the woman he actually loves.”

“Josh, knock it off,” Tess warned.

But the damage was done. My eyes burned, and I looked away before the tears could fall. He was right. I'd pushed my own brother aside for Mark, and now Mark was gone.

“I'm sorry,” Josh said, his expression changing when he noticed my tears. “I didn't mean to make you cry, Aven.”

“You're right.” My voice broke. “I did replace you. I'm sorry, Josh. I got so caught up in that loser that I forgot who was actually there for me.”

“Hey.” He crossed the space between us and pulled me against his chest.

“I'm sorry for being a jerk. You've been through enough.”

I wrapped my arms around him and cried into his shirt. Our mother had died in a car accident when Josh was eighteen. We had never known our father; Mom had always told us he didn't exist. Through everything, Josh and I had only had each other. And I'd treated him like he didn't matter.

“I'm sorry,” I whispered again. “I'm really sorry.”

“It's okay.” He rubbed my back gently. “I came because I missed you, you know.”

I pulled away, wiping my cheeks. I knew my brother. Beneath all that attitude, he cared more than he liked to admit. He lifted my chin so I would look at him.

“I have something important to take care of, but call me when you get to LA tomorrow, okay?”

“You just got here. Aren't you staying for dinner?”

He shook his head. “No. I've been here for quite a while.”

“Josh, stay for dinner. At least this time,” Tess added.

He glanced at her, then back at me. “I'd love to, but I really have to go.” He paused before continuing. “I promise I'll visit you in LA when I can. And if I ever find Mark, I'll make him pay for what he did to you.”

Despite everything, I smiled. Typical Josh. He gave me one last look before heading for the door. After he left, I let out a long breath. For the first time in days, the guilt weighing on my chest felt a little lighter. At least I hadn't lost my brother too.

★★★★

By 7:00 a.m., Tess and I were at the airport, checked in and waiting to board.

A new start. That was what I needed. No Mark. No relationships. No more losing myself over a man. This time, I would focus on my own life. I'd learned my lesson. Still, I couldn't help wondering how Mark was doing. Knowing him, it wouldn't take long for him to drain his new girlfriend dry. Once he got what he wanted, he'd probably discard her the same way he'd discarded me. Ugh. Why am I still wasting my thoughts on him?

The flight felt endless. By the time we landed, my legs were numb from sitting for so long.

“Tess. Tess, we're here.” I tapped her arm lightly.

She stirred, then sat up with a sleepy smile. “Finally.”

We collected ourselves and stepped off the plane. The airport was crowded, and people moved in every direction as we made our way toward the reception area. That was when a private jet landed nearby. I slowed to look at it. I'd always dreamed of travelling in one of those. Maybe someday.

But my attention soon shifted to a group of men dressed in black. They stood together with the kind of intimidating presence I'd only seen in movies. Then I noticed the man among them. A familiar face… the face from TV. My stomach dropped.

You've got to be kidding me.

“Tess. Tess. Tess!” I slapped her arm repeatedly.

“What?” she demanded, turning to me with an irritated look.

“Kai.” I pointed, struggling to get the words out. “Kai. He's here.”