Chapter 0143 âNever in my life have I seen a personâs heart melt so fast when it comes to my dog. Most people usually find him annoying as hellâ the warm voice makes me whip my head so fast, I almost break it in the process.
Holy smokes. The man was hot this close up. Black hair, green eyes, high cheekbones, a chiselled jaw line, l*ps that begged to be k*ssed and a b*dy that enticed you to do dirty things. He was freaking hot and he knew it.
I know what youâre thinking. âSlow down Ava, you got fooled once by great looks, donât make the same mistake againâ.
I wasnât. I swore off love and men, but that doesnât mean that I canât appreciate a fine specimen when I see one. Iâm not blind.
âHave we met before?â The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. âItâs just that you look familiarâ.
He stares for a while before answering. âYes, we used to go to the same school, you were two years behind meâ.
I I try to remember him, but it still doesnât ring much of a bell. Probably because I was so obsessed with Rowan that I didnât see anyone else.
âCalvin Garciaâ he supplies when I still continue staring at him confused.
The moment he mentions his name, it hits me.
âOh my goodness, youâre Nerdy Calâ for some weird reason, I shriek this.
He groans at the name he used to go by when he was in school. He glares at me, but it doesnât faze me at all.
Wow, you had a big F***ing glow upâ I stare at him dumbfounded.
The Cal I remember was skinny, with too wide glasses that kept slipping down his nose. He had braces and his face used to be covered in big red pimples.
He was also a nerd, spent most of his time studying in the library while others his age were busy F***ing in the janitorâs closet.
To simply put it, he wasnât someone you would look at twice.
He looked good now. Really good. I am glad that everything worked out for him. He changed into someone any woman would die to have. He was now in the same category as Rowan.
âYeah, well, thanksâ he says awkwardly.
âI also remember you used to have a massive crush on Emma, how did that crush turn out for you?â I teased. I wasnât trying to be mean or anything.
When he wasnât studying, just like all the other boys, he was busy following Emma around like a lost puppy.
The only problem was that Emma had eyes for Rowan only. When they started dating, they were the it couple.
Every boy except Gabe and Travis wanted to be in Rowanâs shows. Every girl wanted to be in Emmaâs shoes.
âAnd you loved Rowan, how did that turn out for you?â He fired back in irritation.
âTouchéâ I murmur.
The pain was still there, but I managed to push it away.
I didnât know Cal that way, but I thanked God on his behalf. Thanked him for looking after Cal, happy that he never got a chance with Emma.
Emmaâs love for Rowan would have destroyed him, just like Rowanâs love for Emma destroyed me.
âDad, can I watch TV?â The sweet voice pulls me from my bitter memories.
I turn to find a cute boy standing behind Cal. He had the same captivating green eyes as his father.
I âHi, my name is Avaâ I just couldnât help myself.
âHelloâ he says shyly, and my heart immediately falls in love with him.
âWhatâs your name?â I ask him gently.
Gunner 1 have a son about your age, his name is Noah. How about you come over and meet him when he gets out of school? Heâll be excited to have a new friend.â I pause before adding. âIf itâs okay with your dad, that is see him looking up at Cal. A silent conversation passes between them, before Cal sighs in defeat.
simply says I stare at him. My eyes focused on his. I was trying to decode him, and I wasnât ashamed of that. There was something in his eyes that called out to me.
He shifts uncomfortably. âWell Iâm sorry that Rex ruined your garden. Iâll get someone to come tomorrow and fix itâ.
So the husky was called Rex? It sort of fitted him.
âRexâ Cal called him, and he immediately went to his owner.
uch a very wide After he gives me a nod and Gunner gives me a smile, they leave my backyard through a very opening that I have never noticed before.
I stare at their backs as they walk to their house. Itâs only after theyâve left, and Iâve been standing there like an idiot that I realize what I saw in his eyes.
I saw pain. I saw hurt. I saw a wounded soul In his eyes, I saw the same kind of darkness that I have been trying to run away for years without much cuccess.
In him, I saw a kindred spirit.
I Even as all these revelations flooded my mind, I couldnât help but wonder what had caused him such pain.