Embracing Trouble (Trouble Series) (30 page)

He suddenly grinned and then we were walking over to the elevators as he pressed the call button impatiently. I moistened my lips and waited, not knowing if I was doing the right thing or not. But I was hurting and I needed to move on, too.

We stepped into the elevator and he quickly jabbed the button for his floor before he leaned in and kissed me softly, obviously aiming for seduction. I wanted to tell him that I was a done deal, and that I was going to sleep with him regardless of his seduction routine. I wouldn’t feel anything, but I wanted to do it, to purge Zac from me.

We fell into his room, his lips upon mine and he stopped to close the door and lock it. I was soon back in his arms and I started to undo his tie, flinging it across the room with his shirt soon following. I ran my hands over his chest, feeling the soft skin with tight muscle underneath. He was well-defined and obviously worked out, but there were no tattoos, no permanent insights to his life. I tried not to think about another chest, another body that had been burned into my memory and senses.

I continued to kiss him, pushing up against him and feeling him completely ready for me. I unzipped his slacks and then looked down, taking a silent breath. I couldn’t do this. I wanted Zac so much it hurt. Hurt like hell. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run away.

As if sensing my change, Tyler pulled my chin up to look at me.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, his eyes showing his warmth and caring.

He wanted me so much, but he cared enough to stop to see if I was okay. I wasn’t. I never would be, ever again. I silenced any further questions with my lips, kissing him hungrily. I needed to forget and move on.

There was a sudden ringing and we sprung apart at the noise.

“What the hell is that?” he asked pulling his pants back up.

He went over to the door and opened it. We heard a loud alarm in the hallway and a robotic voice asking us to evacuate.

“Shit, there must be a fire or something,” he said running his hand through his hair. “Let’s go.”

I followed him back out where other guests were leaving their rooms and heading to the stairwell. Hotel workers were talking into walkie-talkies and directing us all out.

“What’s going on?” asked Tyler taking my hand.

“Fire alarm, sir, just this floor apparently. So, we’re evacuating to locate the problem. If it’s a false alarm, we will ensure that you will be quickly guided back to your suite.”

I numbly followed everyone downstairs, not feeling any panic like some of the other guests. Maybe I had to take it as a sign, that I was about to do something that I would regret. I made it out into the foyer with Tyler close behind me as my phone beeped. I pulled it from my bra and looked at the screen, my heart thumping as I saw the name. Will.

Will:
Stay away from Max beautiful Ava…

News travelled fast. I wanted to answer him, wanted to talk to him. I missed them all like crazy. Will still cared about me.

“What’s happening?” asked Sophie coming over to me.

“Fire alarm,” I explained, still looking at Will’s text message.

She giggled as she leaned into me.

“So what were you two doing?”

I quickly closed the text message, so she couldn’t read it.

“Nothing.”

“Liar, your lipstick is missing,” she said with a laugh.

Her laugh grated on me and I looked over at Tyler. I didn’t want to be here.

Zac

I scanned through the five different screens in front of me as I typed in code quickly. One screen had the hotel plans, another had the hotel system up with all guest details. I typed more code and quickly shut off the fire alarm. Then I covered my tracks as I exited the system.

I knew where she was, and I knew what she was obviously going to do. The thought alone had crucified me. Pain had literally sliced me up from the inside. I couldn’t let her go, no matter how hard I tried.

I knew I couldn’t stop her from sleeping with Tyler, but I had hopefully put an end to it tonight. I went to shut down the screen that had the access to the hotel cameras and saw her again, amongst the commotion in the reception area.

She looked beautiful even through a black and white security camera. I ran my hand through my hair, pausing to take her in. She was walking outside with Tyler who was following closely behind her as she spoke to the porter. Tyler looked to be asking her to stay and she was saying goodbye as a taxi pulled up for her. He leaned in to kiss her goodnight and she returned the kiss for a moment before pulling away.

A new emotion reared up, to settle alongside my anger and jealousy. Satisfaction.

Ava

The next day I awoke to Sarah knocking on my door. I instantly felt disgusted seeing her happy face, and then I saw the roses in her hand.

“Delivery for you just arrived,” she said with a smile as she placed them on the bed in front of me. “Are they from Tyler?” she excitedly asked.

I checked the note.

To Ava,

Can’t wait to see you again.

Love Tyler xx

I confirmed they were and she beamed at me as I looked at the perfect roses. I should have felt lucky that I had such a perfect guy who sent me roses, but I only felt numb.

“Want me to put them in a vase?” she asked chirpily.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, covering my head with the comforter.

“Can we get rid of these dead lilies now?” she asked next.

“No!” I said forcefully. “I’m keeping them.”

I waited for the bedroom door to shut and then looked over at the dead orange flowers that I couldn’t bear to throw away. They had shriveled up and turned brown, fitting for how they represented my heart.

A couple of nights later, I found myself doing continuous tequila shots with Tyler at a club. I licked the salt off his body and sucked on the lemon in his mouth. I knew he was enjoying the attention as he drank along with me.

I needed to get messy tonight, to forget for a couple of hours. With Tyler’s seductive words and touches, I felt sexy and wanted. I had my high boots on over my tight black leather pants. His eyes twinkled with lust as he watched me dance.

Sophie and Sam danced beside me, kissing each other hungrily. I turned away, still a little annoyed at her revelation earlier. She had told everyone that Zac had come on to her the night we had gone to see a band and she denied his advances because of her friendship with me. The thought of him going after her made me feel sick, but I didn’t know if she was telling the truth.

I had decided to clear the thought from my mind by drinking copious amounts of tequila, but it wasn’t working.

A song came on with a low beat and I moved my hips in time, as Tyler came up behind me, running his hands possessively over me. I wiggled my hips against him, teasing him as he leaned down and kissed my neck. I closed my eyes, hoping the tequila would have taken the edge off my unhappiness, but he was still there in my mind, never far away.

I opened my eyes and saw a familiar face at the bar and I softly gasped. He was watching me as he sipped his drink, and he gave me a wicked knowing grin. I couldn’t help the burst of excitement within as I pulled out of Tyler’s embrace and headed straight over to him.

“Beautiful Ava,” grinned Will.

“Hi,” I said, instantly throwing my arms around him and hugging him.

He hugged me back.

“You’re looking every shade of hotness tonight.”

I smiled in delight.

“Why thank you.”

“Drink?”

“Sure,” I said, while looking around the club.

He ordered one for me and then turned back to me.

“He’s not here.”

“Why are you here? I thought this would be the last place you would come.”

He motioned over to the bar girl with red hair and tattoos.

“I’m picking my friend up. She finishes in five minutes.”

I looked over to the totally cool and alternative girl who was so unlike me. I looked back at him and smiled painfully. I had missed him so much.

“I see you’re with pretty boy,” he teased, passing me a drink. “All his wet dreams must have come true.”

I glanced down at the ice in my whiskey.

“How did you know about Max?”

He stopped teasing and looked serious for a moment.

“Word gets around.”

My eyes narrowed.

“I only talked to him.”

“You shouldn’t have even done that,” he said sipping his own drink.

“It doesn’t really matter anymore. I’m no longer with Zac,” I said looking up at him.

“You still need to stay away.”

I sipped my whiskey.

“How was the big Graduation Ball?” he asked with a cheeky wink.

My lips curled slightly.

“It was amazing,” I replied with heavy sarcasm.

He chuckled and sipped his drink, looking at me with knowing eyes.

“Your pretty boy is getting his knickers in a knot.”

I turned to look over at an annoyed Tyler and motioned that I would be two minutes. I didn’t want him over here, because I wanted to soak Will up for as long as I could.

“So I’m having a party next weekend for my birthday at Hell Nightclub, you should come,” said Will.

“I’d love to,” I said instantly.

“I’ll text you the details,” he said finishing his drink and nodding to the bar tender who was grabbing her bag.

He turned back to me and then looked over to Tyler.

“Well, enjoy the vodka cruisers and…dancing.”

I knew it was an inside joke and it reminded me of everything I was missing as tears pooled in my eyes. I suddenly didn’t want him to leave. I wanted my connection with my big Will with the tattoos on his neck and wicked humor. I wanted him to take me back to the group where I felt I belonged.

His eyes rested on me for a bit longer, and I was sure he could see my eyes pleading with him. He smiled with a little regret and maybe even sadness.

“Take care, beautiful Ava.”

He gave me a wink and then left with the girl as I let out a silent sigh. I wanted to follow him, ask him where they were going now. I turned back to see Tyler still watching me, and I motioned I was going to the restroom. I moved away into the crowd where he could no longer see me and then quickly ran through the club to the entrance and stepped outside.

With my heart racing, I looked up and down the street to see if I could find Will. Then I spotted his friend’s red hair as she crossed the street further down. I ran in my heels and stopped when I saw the black WRX across the road. My heart stopped entirely when I saw Zac leaning against it having a cigarette and laughing at something with them.

As if we were still attuned to each other, his eyes suddenly locked on mine. He looked surprised for a second before he frowned. It hurt to look at him but I still did. I took in his jeans and fitted black T-shirt, his strong arms and perfect body. I felt myself start to crumble as he stared at me in silence and I stared back.

I wanted to run away but also run over and kiss him senseless all at the same time. His eyes held me spellbound and I couldn’t move as all the hurt came flooding back. I felt paralyzed, not knowing whether to smile or cry.

His passenger door opened and I expected to see Noah, but to my dismay, a blonde girl got out. Unaware of what was going on, she went to him and snuggled up to him as she said something to the redhead.

Pain smacked me in the chest and I wanted to double over with its intensity. He
had
moved on. I was forgotten and there was the proof. I sobbed silently and turned away, blinking back my tears. I pushed my way through the smokers who were out on the pavement. I found my way back to the club. I didn’t even want to go back inside, even though I knew Tyler was waiting for me. Sweet, safe Tyler.

I wiped my tears and turned away from the club entrance and put my hand out for a taxi on the street. I just needed to get out of here altogether. A hand grabbed my arm and I turned to see Zac in front of me.

“Go back into the club with him. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself,” he said.

I looked into his eyes, not able to breathe and not able to look away. He had come after me.

“Why is he even letting you out of his sight?” he said next, anger in his eyes.

My phone started to ring and he let my arm go. I pulled my phone out of my pocket to see it was Tyler calling and I put it to my ear.

“Where are you?” asked Tyler.

“I’m outside,” I replied, ending the call.

Zac looked like he wanted to say something else, but he stopped himself. Then he ran his hand through his already messy hair. He turned to look at the entrance of the club and then back at me as my insides clenched at the sight of him.

I was angry and hurt and so happy to see him. He looked at me once more and then turned away and disappeared amongst the large group outside. I instantly felt bereft and wanted to run after him.

“What are you doing out here?” asked Tyler coming up to me.

I swallowed, “Having a smoke.”

“Are you done? It stinks out here,” he said taking my hand and leading me back inside.

I went back inside to the loud music and heard Tyler talking into my ear but I couldn’t make out his words. I looked at all the dancers in a daze, not really seeing any of them. I couldn’t comprehend Zac’s anger and his protectiveness. I longed to be back out there with him again, to have the opportunity to do it differently and actually talk to him. Nothing made sense anymore.

Tyler tried to pull me back onto the dance floor, but I refused this time. The music suddenly grated on my nerves along with the people.

This club didn’t make sense to me, and I longed to see a metal band in a small club filled with metal heads. I wanted that part of my life again where it was more dangerous but where I felt the safest.

Chapter Sixteen: Heaven and Hell