Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

couch.

“I’m going to head to bed.” I turn to Andrea. “Good night… and thank you.”

Andrea smiles up at me, “Good night Lexi. I hope you’re able to have a good sleep tonight knowing you are safe here with us.”

I nod and smile before looking at Marcus and Ayden. Marcus smiles, and Ayden mouths “Goodnight”, offering a soft smile.

I trudge up the stairs, and a moment later, hear the backdoor close. Ayden must be heading to bed too. It seems weird to me that he’s out there alone while the rest of the family is in the main house. I know he likes it that way, though. I’m pretty sure I would, too, since right now I’m feeling a little claustrophobic in this strange house.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The buzz of a message on my phone catches my attention as I settle under the bed covers after changing into my PJ’s. Ayden's name lights up my screen, and I debate putting my phone down and trying to go to sleep. Temptation is a bitch!

Ayden Mitchell

Are you okay?

Lexi West

Sure.

Ayden Mitchell

Cryptic!!

Lexi West

Not really.

Ayden Mitchell

What are you wearing?

Lexi West

Ayden!!!

Ayden Mitchell

What?

Lexi West

You know what!

Ayden Mitchell

I’m a guy. I don’t know shit!

Lexi West

Playing dumb isn’t your style.

Ayden Mitchell

How do you know?

He has a point. I don’t know. Not really. We may have come together feeling like we’re old friends, but what do I really know about the guy I gave my virginity to?

Lexi West

This conversation is irritating!

Ayden Mitchell

Yet you can’t stop ☺

Lexi West

Cocky much?

Ayden Mitchell

Shit, I guess you do know me.

A giggle slips free, and I clamp my hand over my mouth, hoping that Marcus or his parents didn’t hear me.

Ayden Mitchell

You haven’t answered my question yet.

What are you wearing?

Lexi West

What I always wear.

Ayden Mitchell

A t-shirt or hoodie that’s long enough to cover that perfect little arse of yours?

I can’t help it. I blush like a fucking firecracker! Thank fuck he’s not here to witness this.

Lexi West

Oh, no. That’s only what I wear when you’re around.

When I’m alone, I wear little clothing! ☺

Shit! How do I un-send that???

Ayden Mitchell

Now you’ve gone and done it!

Lexi West

Done what?

Ayden Mitchell

You don’t want to know.

Lexi West

Actually, I do!!

Wait! Do I?

Ayden Mitchell

Let’s just say I need a cold shower and leave it at that.

I am a gentleman, after all. I have a rep to keep!

I snort, and the sound practically echoes in the quiet room. Whoops!

Lexi West

You need a cold shower like the one you needed that morning at your dad’s?

Ayden Mitchell

Exactly like that!

Lexi West

Sorry.

Ayden Mitchell

No, you’re not.

Lexi West

Okay, maybe I’m not. ☺

Ayden Mitchell

Lexi?

Lexi West

Yeah?

Ayden Mitchell

Can I call you?

Lexi West

Now?

Ayden Mitchell

Yeah.

I don’t know if saying yes is a good idea, but man, I want to hear his voice. I need to stay strong, though.

Lexi West

It’s probably not a good idea.

Ayden Mitchell

What are you talking about? It’s a brilliant idea!!!

Please?

Fuck me, I can just imagine his face right now. All puppy dog eyes and sex wrapped into one. I should say no.

Lexi West

Okay.

I’ve barely pressed send on my reply when my phone starts buzzing with an incoming call from Ayden. My heart rate picks up, anticipation pumping through my veins.

“Hey.” My voice is raspy when I answer the call.

“Hey,” Ayden responds, his voice soft. “Thanks for letting me call. And for picking up.”

“Ah... yeah. No problem.” I’m awkward as hell. This guy does weird things to my insides.

“I wish I could be over there with you instead of stuck in this loft.”

I wish I could be over in that loft with him instead of stuck in this creepy lilac bedroom... but I keep that to myself.

“I think that would overstep the whole friend's thing. Besides, do you really want to be in this room with those creepy dolls?”

Ayden's deep chuckle comes through the phone and instantly warms my chest, relaxing me.

“Probably not.” Ayden pauses, and I can hear the rustling of blankets through the line, “Tell me something honest, Lex. I know you have a thousand and one things on your mind right now but tell me one thing that is eating at you.”

“Why?” I ask. I’m unsure if I should be opening up to him. He has enough to deal with as it is.

“Because I know from experience that talking about things helps.” He says honestly.

Why does he have to be such a good guy? It would make it so much easier to stay away if he’d just be an arsehole.

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll tell you about one thing that is bothering me if you let me ask you a question.”

“Hmmm... I don’t know if I like the sound of that.” The wariness in Ayden’s voice is a reminder that he is definitely still battling his own demons. I wish I could be the one to slay his dragons for him.

“It seems like a fair trade to me.” I coax, and he chuckles.

“Fuck it. Let’s do it. You first. Tell me something that’s on your mind.”

I giggle at how easily he caved, and then take a moment to think over all the shit that bothers me, but it doesn’t take me long to decide. I haven’t spoken about this much, but it has me fucked up pretty bad.

“Abbey.” It’s all I can say without the waterworks starting up. It’s all I have to say for Ayden to understand as well.

“Yeah, Abbey. Something more is going on there. There’s no way after the lifelong friendship you two have had, that she would turn her back on you like this without a reason. Not that any reason is good enough for her to do that.”

“I think something more is going on too. At first, I thought it might be because of her parents. They obviously have a problem with me, but the Abbey I know would never do what she has done. She would find a way to stay in contact with me. She would fight for me. Instead, she has stood by and watched Tasha try to bring me down. I have no idea why Tasha is