Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (red seas under red skies txt) 📗

been so away with the fairies over the last couple of years that she forgot a teenager needs them. I’ve always been pretty well behaved except as of late. Now the idea of rules just feels like more people trying to control me.

Lexi West

Of course. What are the plans?

Rhys George

Can you meet me at your place? There’s no old’s there, right? It will make pre-party drinking easier, although if you’re not comfortable going back there, we can totally find a park to hang out in for a bit. Sometimes that’s more fun. You know, taking the risk that we might get caught by the cops! :)

I know I shouldn’t go back there without one of the guys, but I really need this with Rhys tonight, and I’d rather not risk getting busted by the cops. I need a night to have fun and forget about the bullshit that my life has become, so if Rhys is with me, I should be fine.

Lexi West

Yeah, sure, we can go to my place. Definitely no olds there. What time?

Rhys George

I can be there around 6.

We can get ready together and have some shots before we head to the party.

I can stay the night at your place, right? I can’t go home if I’ve been drinking, you’ll understand why later. But if I can’t stay, Lexi, my dear Queen, don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I’ll have one drink and be your designated wing woman for the night, anyway. After all, Rhys George knows how to party no matter the situation!!!

Shit. I hadn’t thought of Rhys staying. Maybe I can convince her to come back to my new place. Either that or I somehow have to convince Andrea to let me stay out all night. I’ll think of something, I guess. I’d really like to spend the night with my new friend and get to know her better.

Lexi West

Sure, you can stay the night. ☺

Rhys George

Fuck yeah! We are gonna have the best time tonight! Make sure you ditch your wolf pack.

No jocks allowed!!! Tonight, I am your knight in shining armour! I will protect your life with my own, my fair Queen!

Lexi West

You’re an idiot! But it sounds perfect!!

Leaving my hiding place, the toilet, I now have to figure out how to ditch the guys, grab my things from Marcus’s, and get to my house before 6.

“Where have you been hiding?” Shaun alerts everyone to my presence when I walk back into the rumpus room. I shoot him an annoyed glare, but he just gives me one of his cheesy, white-toothed grins.

“Women’s business.” I snap, pretending I’m moody, even though I’m not.

“Say no more. I get it.” Shaun raises his hands like he’s trying to tame a wild animal, making the boy’s chuckle. Even Ayden.

“Well, I’ll see you guys later.” I move toward the back door, and they all go quiet.

“Where are you going, Lex?” Jared asks the question.

“Just going home. I’m tired. Didn’t get much sleep last night.” I slide the door open and get one foot out the door before Ayden’s voice makes me hesitate.

“I’ll walk you back.” His voice comes from behind me, and I have to take a deep breath to calm my racing heart before looking over my shoulder at him.

Part of me wants to stand firm and determined like Kyla does from the book I’m reading, but who am I kidding. I’m not Kyla, I’m Alexis Amity West, and I’m yet to find the strength Kyla wields.

“Uh-okay. Thanks.”

Ayden’s eyes soften around the edges at my response. I guess he’d been waiting for me to refuse.

Stepping outside, Ayden follows behind, calling out to the others that he will be back soon, and we walk side by side towards Marcus’s house.

“You’ve been quiet today.” Breaking the silence, Ayden’s deep tone instantly calms me while giving me stupid butterflies at the same time.

“I’m tired.” It’s a typical response, isn’t it? I’m tired. When really, we mean emotionally exhausted. Would it be so bad to be honest when someone asks this question?

“I know you’re tired, Lex. But something else is wrong; I can see the worry in your eyes. Has something happened?”

My shoulders drop, and I sigh. I don’t know why I thought I could keep anything from this guy. After all, he’s the only one that saw past the facade I was trying to trick everyone with when he first came to Fox Pines.

“My dad called.”

“What!” Ayden hisses, stopping me with his hand on my arm. “When? What did he say? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I take a step back from him and the anger flashing across his face, and my hackles instantly go up.

“I am telling you, so stop freaking out! I was going to keep it to myself, Ayden, for the simple reason that I don’t want anyone freaking out any more than I am. It’s just a call… well, two calls, actually. I haven’t spoken to him. He left messages.”

Ayden regards me for a moment while he chews the corner of his mouth. I wish he wouldn’t do that. It draws my attention to those kissable lips that I work so hard to avoid.

“Did you save the messages?” His tone is calmer this time, so I nod and pull my phone out of my pocket.

Going into my message bank, I pass my phone to Ayden and watch his expression as he listens to my dad's voice, each second, his face becoming redder and redder. His nostrils flare, and his breathing quickens, and the hand holding my phone is squeezing it so tight that I think he’s going to crush it.

When he’s done, he slowly hands me back my phone while taking a couple of deep breaths. I can see what he’s doing. He’s angry but is trying to calm himself, so it doesn’t upset me. The thing is, seeing him so affected by it upsets me enough. This is why I keep things to myself. I hate dragging other people into my bullshit.

“What do