Page 8 of Sixty Days Of Summer

As I step outside, I make a beeline for the waiting car. The driver pops the trunk for my suitcase, and I slide into the back seat with a sense of urgency. Every second counts as I try to put as much distance as possible between myself and the chaos I’m leaving behind.

As we merge into the flow of traffic, the cityscape blurs into a swirl of lights and colors. I sink back into the seat, allowing the steady hum of the car and the rhythm of the city to soothe my frayed nerves. The thought of soon being with my brother and Theo feels like a comforting balm, easing my anxiety.

But my mind drifts to Ace Roberts, knowing I'll soon be back in his world. He made it clear that what we had was just a casual hookup, nothing more. I shouldn’t be tempted to get involved with him again, but damn, the way he made my body come alive. No man has ever touched me like that, igniting a fire inside me that I can’t ignore. Not even Beck, he was always too busy chasing his own pleasure. Sex with Ace was raw and intense, something that left me feeling both exhilarated and vulnerable.Just thinking about it now sends a shiver down my spine, a reminder of how deeply he’s imprinted on me.

I know we can’t go there again. Ace has made it crystal clear that I’m off-limits, and he told me that with my brother in the mix, there’s no way it could ever happen again. Even though the pull is strong and the temptation is there, I need to keep my distance. The intensity of what we shared still lingers. I’ve replayed it in my mind over these last five months. The way he made me scream, the way he made me come. As much as I want to feel those things again, I have to focus on what’s important right now: and that’s getting my life back on track.

I’m jolted out of my thoughts as the car pulls up to the airport. The driver slows to a stop at the curb, and I step out, grateful for the shift in focus.

I head straight to the check-in counter, where the attendant’s voice cuts through my haze. I drop off my suitcase, watch it get tagged, and then make my way to the cafeteria before my flight.

I’m in dire need of caffeine and something to eat. With forty minutes to kill before my flight, I grab a seat in the airport cafeteria, pull out the gossip magazine I bought for distraction, and try to keep myself composed as I wait to board the plane.

An hour later, I’m airborne, thanks to my brother’s generous upgrade to first class. I’m thankful for the luxury, as I rarely get to travel this way. Finally, I can relax a bit, away from the prying eyes and the constant scrutiny of the bruises on my face.

I know I should call my parents to let them know I’ll be staying at Nate’s for a while, but the idea of having to explain everything makes me hesitate. They’re incredibly protective. I can already imagine them trying to convince me to come home and stay with them. But I need to handle this on my own. Besides, if my dad found out what Beck did, he’d be just asfurious as Nate, and I shudder to think of the consequences that might follow.

After the plane finally lands, retrieving my bag from the carousel feels never-ending. I do my best to keep a low profile, trying to avoid drawing attention to the bruises on my face.

The airport, usually teeming with activity, appears even more chaotic as I weave my way through the bustling crowd. I make my way toward the front door area, where I know Nate and Theo will be waiting for me, just like the last time they picked me up. But this time, everything feels different. My nerves are on edge. I’m preparing myself for their reaction, fully aware that they’ll be livid once they catch a glimpse of my face.

Scanning the crowd, I strain my eyes, desperately hoping to spot Nate or Theo. But they remain elusive in the sea of unfamiliar faces.

Just like in New York, the traffic in LA is notorious, so they’re most likely trapped in the gridlock. I grab my phone, hoping to find a message from them. Instead, I notice a missed call from an unfamiliar number and a new voicemail waiting for me. I wonder if it’s connected to the audition I did earlier today.

I tap a few buttons on my phone and bring it to my ear.

“Hey Scarlet, it’s Ace.”

The sound of his voice has an electrifying effect on me, and the way he utters my name makes my heart skip a beat. Despite the flood of emotions, I push them aside and give my full attention to his message. I can’t help but feel confused as to why he’s reaching out to me after such a long time.

“Something’s come up, so I’ll be picking you up from the airport. I’m running a bit behind, so just hang tight for a bit, and I’ll fill you in when I get there.”

I’m puzzled how Ace managed to get my number without us ever exchanging it, and what’s even more perplexing is why he’s picking me up instead of Nate and Theo. Swallowing hard, I brace myself to face him. He’ll definitely notice the bruises on my face, their dark hues stark against my pale skin. The last thing I want is to be seen like this, especially by him. But here we are.

I shove my phone back into my bag and glance around. As people bustle past me, I can’t help but keep a watchful eye on the doors, eagerly waiting for his arrival.

Twenty minutes later, my heart leaps as I catch sight of him confidently striding through the large automatic doors. As his eyes scan the crowd, I check him out. Damn, he’s hot as fuck. I can’t help but be captivated by the sight of his muscular arms, adorned with elaborate tattoos that trace a path all the way up to his neck. His dark, intense brown eyes, chiseled jawline, and tousled hair only add to his rugged appeal. He radiates sex appeal, embodying every girl’s fantasy.

When his eyes finally meet mine, a rush of butterflies fills my stomach. With a casual greeting, I lift my hand, though my nerves are jittering beneath the surface.

As he closes the distance between us, I can feel his intense gaze roaming over every inch of my body, igniting a rush of excitement within me. Then his eyes fixate on my face, specifically on the bruised right cheek, as if studying the marks. His jaw tightens ever so slightly, and I catch a flicker of concern crossing his face.

As he looks away, I sense something is off, a tightrope of tension threading between us. Despite the unsettling feelingin my gut, I maintain a steady gaze, closely monitoring his approach.

When he stops in front of me, he shoves his hands into his jean pockets, his brows furrowing as he scrutinizes the bruises on my face as if dissecting them.

I bow my head, trying to shield myself from his penetrating stare.

"What's going on? I thought Nate and Theo were picking me up," I ask, looking back up to meet his intense brown eyes, searching for some kind of explanation.

He shifts his weight uneasily, his tongue darting out over his bottom lip before swallowing. I can tell something is seriously wrong. His voice tightens as he reveals, “Nate and Theo were in a car accident.”

I inhale sharply, the shocking news hitting me like a ton of bricks. Tears well up in my eyes, and my heart starts to race. I keep my eyes locked on Ace’s face, desperately seeking more information since I am too stunned to utter a word.

"They’re alright," Ace says, his tone steady but carrying an edge of concern. "They’re at the hospital. I don’t know much yet, but Xander’s heading there. He’ll keep me posted."

As I nod, a solitary tear rolls down my cheek, betraying my struggle to maintain composure. The very notion of my brother and Theo getting hurt fills me with an overwhelming sense of unease. After everything I’ve faced today, the thought of losing them is unbearable.

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