Dirty little secrets

Chapter 22

Ava

"Hey, everyone," I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice came out too bright, too excited, and Riley's head snapped up, eyes narrowing like she could smell the bullshit already.

Mom looked over, knife pausing. "Ava? You're back early. How was the professor thing? Everything okay with your paper?"

"Yeah, fine, totally fixed it." I waved it off, grabbing a water from the fridge, avoiding Jax's gaze because he was already perking up, hopeful. "But, uh, listen, I decided something. I'm going on a trip. Like, to clear my head. Been feeling kinda... breakdown-y lately, you know? Mental stuff."

The room went quiet for a beat, then exploded.

"A trip? Now?" Mom dropped the knife, wiping her hands on her apron, face all worried lines. "Honey, what do you mean breakdown? Are you okay? Is this about school? Boys? You can talk to me, you know. Maybe you need to see someone… a therapist? I can call Dr. Ellis, she helped your aunt last year."

"No, Mom, it's not that bad," I laughed, but it came out forced, and I shot a glance at Riley, who was smirking now, her eyes saying 'professor trip, huh?' and I just nodded tiny, both of us smiling like idiots because yeah, she knew, she always knew.

Dad set his beer down, frowning deep. "Ava, kiddo, where are you going? Alone? That doesn't sound safe. With everything going on your grades, the stress you sure this is the right time? I can come with you if you need company, or at least tell us the details."

"Alone? Yeah, totally, just me," I lied, chugging the water to hide my grin. "Need space, you know? Mountains or something. Fresh air. To clear my mind."

Chloe snorted from her spot, arms crossed. "Clear your mind? From what, sucking face with professors? Wait, is this about that urgent school thing earlier? Riley told me you bolted like your ass was on fire."

"Chloe!" Mom snapped, but Chloe just shrugged, and Riley elbowed her lightly, whispering "Shut up," but Chloe ignored it, glaring at me.

Jax pushed off the fridge then, stepping closer, voice low and tense. "A trip? Ava, come on, we need to talk first. After this morning? You can't just… "

"Jax, not now," I cut him off, rolling my eyes, but my heart twisted a bit because he looked so pathetic, all pleading eyes.

Mom jumped in, talking over him. "No, she's right, Jax, but Ava, seriously, therapist? Please? Just one session before you go jetting off. I'm worried, baby. You seem... off lately. Snapping at everyone, running out.. "

"I'm fine, Mom!" I yelled a little, then softened because her face crumpled. "Really, it's just a quick getaway. I'll text updates, promise."

Dad nodded slowly, but still worried. "Alright, but pack a charger, call if anything…. hell, take my old GPS thing from the garage. And money, you need cash?"

Riley finally chimed in, all innocent. "Yeah, Ava, sounds fun. Where exactly? Some romantic spot?" Her eyes twinkled, and I mouthed 'shut up' at her, both of us biting back laughs.

Chloe caught it, huffed. "You two are weird. Whatever, I'm out soon anyway. Have fun on your 'mental health' trip or whatever."

Jax wasn't done, though, grabbing my arm as I tried to head upstairs. "Ava, wait. Please. We gotta talk about us. This morning…. I messed up, but you can't just leave like this. What about tonight? Chloe's going out, remember? We could…. "

"Jax, let go," I hissed, yanking away, but he held on, eyes desperate now.

"No, come on, don't do this. A trip? Alone? Bullshit, I know you. Who's it with? That professor guy mentioned? Ava, f**k, don't…. "

"Enough!" Mom interrupted, pulling him back. "Jax, give her space. Ava, go pack, but think about the therapist, okay? I love you."

I nodded, bolting up the stairs before Jax could follow, but I heard him downstairs, muttering "This is f****d," and slamming something, not having it at all, his voice cracking like he might cry or punch a wall.

Up in my room, I locked the door, flopped on the bed, heart still racing from the kiss, the invite, everything, giggling again because holy s**t, a trip with him? But then the guilt hit about Mrs. Calder's voice, that sob, and I curled up, hugging my knees, tears pricking because what if I was ruining lives here? But the excitement won out, and I started packing, throwing clothes in a bag sexy tops, no bras, jeans that hugged texting him quickly: "Ready when you are."

I laughed, but it was shaky, because Jax was pounding on my door now. "Ava! Open up! We need to talk!"

"Go away, Jax!" I yelled back, but he kept at it, voice breaking. "Please, don't leave like this. I love you, okay? f**k, I love you."

That stopped me, bag half-packed, because he sounded so sad, genuine heartbreak, and I sat there, head in hands, whispering "s**t," because yeah, this was messing everyone up, but I couldn't stop now