Incineration (Heart of Stone) (35 page)

“Ava?” Kerrie asked nervously “Hey, Kerrie I’m good. I’m
just gonna pop you in my pocket for a minute Hun” I said and slid my phone onto
lock as I heard her shout me.

I stood, cocked my head and crooked my finger at him. He
grinned, a huge Cheshire cat grin and stalked towards me…I let him. He
approached me, stood directly in front of me and swept a nicotine stained finger
down my cheek. I smiled at him and placed my hand over his “You wanna go round
the back gorgeous” he slurred and wrapping my fingers round his I smiled
sweetly, and then bent his finger backwards, nearly snapping it in two “Ouch,
you bitch. Let me go” he yelled and I sighed broadly “Don’t fucking touch me
again. Last warning pal, go home!” I growled and he laughed cockily, raising
his eyebrows at me.

Kerrie was still screaming at me from my pocket.

“Oh yeah, and what you gonna do little girl?” he laughed and
I sighed again, shaking my head at his stupidness “Now, I did give you a
warning didn’t I? I’m sure I did” I mocked and his left hand shot out towards
my neck. I caught it, wrapping my fingers around his wrist and dug my nails
into his flesh “Fuck me!” he growled and I tutted at him “Now now” I chastised
and leaned into him, whispering in his ear “If you don’t want your mates to see
you get whipped by a girl then I suggest you fuck off and leave me alone” he
curled his lip at me “Fine, just let me go bitch” he surrendered and I smiled
and let go of his wrist and hand and tapped him on the cheek “Good boy” I
winked and he turned round, took a step forward and then flew round aiming a
fist at my face. I caught his forearm, pulled his arm around his back and
slammed him, face first into the wall with my knee pressed firmly into the top
of his skinny thigh “Now you’re pissing me off” I yelled “Don’t fucking piss me
off anymore…not tonight!” I snarled and he grumbled something.

“I’d take her advice mate if I were you” a voice rumbled
from behind us and I turned to see Kade stood watching us. In each hand he had
a mate of Craig’s’ grasped by the back of their shirts, holding them back
“Hello Sweetheart” he grinned at me, a knicker dropping grin I might add “Good
evening Sir” I grinned back and pulled dickhead off the wall “Now, if you want
your bollocks to stay attached to your dick I would walk away now” I advised
and flung him away with ease, I hated skinny little dicks “Fuck you” he snarled
and Kade pushed his two mates toward him and they all walked off, still
shouting abuse until they disappeared.

Kade shook his head “I can’t leave you alone for two minutes
without you attacking someone” he scolded teasingly and I beamed at him “Thank
you for the help” I said honestly and he nodded “Don’t think you would have
needed it though” he winked and took a step towards me.

I held up a finger to halt him and fished Kerrie back out of
my pocket “Hey, you still there?” I asked and she gave me her wrath; how stupid
I was, how I should have waited inside till Kade got there, how I shouldn’t
pick fights with guys and I stood smiling as she raged “Okay, I’m sorry” I
lied, smiling at Kade as he laughed “I promise I won’t do it again” I reassured
her “Right, that’s okay then. Listen Kades bringing you back here” she said and
my eyes widened “No Kerrie, he can drop me at home” I said walking towards
Kades car and sitting in the passenger seat.

“Oh No you don’t Ava, Kade knows I’ll kill him if he doesn’t
bring you back here, you are not gonna be alone tonight” she persisted “Kerrie
please, I’ll be fine at home” I urged and Kade narrowed his eyes on me “You are
coming back to ours” he snapped as he climbed in the driver’s seat beside me
and I shook my head rapidly, glaring at him but he just glared back and pulled
off.

“Right, sorted” Kerrie said “I’ll see you in five. Coffee or
alcohol?” she asked and I smiled “Definitely alcohol and lots of it” I sighed
“Okay, see you soon” she ended the call and I slid it back into my pocket where
it alerted me to a text, removing it again I glanced at it

MASON

Ava please, we need to talk. Where are you?

I love you so much, please baby xxxxx

I sighed and shut it off; I didn’t want to deal with it all.
Tonight I just wanted to get raging drunk and forget every damn thing.

Kade glanced at me then my phone “You okay?” he asked softly
and I nodded and turned to the window, watching the world go by. I felt Kades
hand slip over mine on my lap and grasp it as he softly ran his thumb across my
palm “Who was he?” he asked softly and I turned to look at him “Someone from my
past. He Erm…he torched my best friend” I told him, only giving him half the
story and he hissed through his teeth at my confession  “You can talk to me
Ava” I glanced at him again and he held a serious expression “I mean it, I’m
here if you need it. That’s all, just to listen” he smiled softly and I nodded
and looked away.

We stayed silent for the rest of the journey and eventually
pulled into a driveway on a tree lined street. On exiting the car the front
door of a simple yet stunning detached house opened and Kerrie stood smiling at
me. I approached her and she remained still, regarding me intently but then
seemed to clear her head and moved away, signalling for me to follow.

We entered into a huge open plan room, decorated in soft
warm colours and a large kitchen area was situated at the back of the room with
an open staircase leading to an upper level “Wow, this is stunning” I admired
and she smiled softly “All Kades work” she grinned and I turned to him “Nice” I
smiled and he shrugged “Thanks”.

He seemed nervous to have me there and I frowned “Vodka
Ava?” Kerrie asked from behind me and I gave her a ‘God yes’ smile “Of course”
I scoffed and she giggled, such a tiny sweet sound and something stabbed at my
heart when I thought of how I had betrayed her by making out with her husband.

I bit my lip and stood still until the tightness in my chest
eased “Ava?” Kerrie probed and I shook myself and walked over to her in the
kitchen. She opened the freezer and removed a bottle of vodka and reached to
get me a glass from the cupboard “Enjoy” she smiled sadly as she passed them to
me and gestured to the sofa. I followed and sat, placing my glass on the table
proceeded to pour myself a large measure.

A glass slammed down at the side of mine and I looked up to
see Kade signalling to his glass and I poured some into it. Kerrie frowned and
looked up at him but didn’t comment as I drained the glass and poured myself
another. Kades glass appeared at the side of mine, empty and I filled it for
him again “Kade?” Kerrie frowned at him but he just shrugged “Figured she
needed a drinking partner after all the shit she’s handled today” he said
sternly and I saw her bite her lip and sigh.

I could sense some tension between the pair and swallowed
heavily, taking another long swig of the alcohol. I leaned back into the sofa
and closed my eyes “I’ve made up the spare bed for you Ava” Kerrie told me
softly and I shook my head “I’m good Kerrie, I’ll get off home soon” I took
another large drink and realised my glass was empty again but Kade reached
across with the bottle and filled both of us up “No Ava, You’re staying here
tonight. I mean it” she scowled and I relented, not having the energy to do
much else “Fine, but I don’t wanna talk” I said gently, warning her I wasn’t in
the mood for company “That’s fine, I didn’t expect it. Just thought maybe you’d
need alcohol and a bed” she shrugged but smiled knowingly at me. I nodded
“Thank you. Can I use your bathroom?”  She told me where my room was and that
it had en-suite and I trudged heavily up the stairs found my room and emptied
my bladder.

As I opened my door to go back down I heard raised voices
and pulled back but left the door ajar “For fucks sake Kerrie, just fucking lie
for once in your life. He doesn’t deserve her and I’m sure Ava doesn’t need all
his fucking shit!” Kade snapped “No Kade, she doesn’t but he needs to know
where she is. He’s my brother and I love him. I worry about him” she sighed and
her voice broke “He’s a mess Kade” I heard something smash “And who’s to blame
for that eh? Him! That’s fucking who. He’s a fucking selfish cokehead” he
shouted and I heard a slap “Don’t you dare talk about him like that” Kerrie
cried and I heard heavy footsteps and a door slamming on the landing.

I waited a few minutes before I went back down and found
Kerrie busying about in the kitchen with her back to me “Hey” I said softly and
she grabbed the edges of the worktop “Sorry Ava” she sighed and I leant against
the edge watching her “No problem” I told her “Hell, me and Mason are always
fighting but you know, I love him so…” her shoulders tensed and she laughed
bitterly “Yeah, that’s the problem” she scoffed and I frowned “What?” I asked
as she spun round and regarded me for a while “Me and Kade aren’t together Ava.
We lead mostly separate lives” she breathed and I scowled “What?” confusion
coursed through me “I Erm, well I had an affair. We were on the verge of
separating when I found out about the cancer. He’s just…just staying
until…until well, I get the all clear or die!” she said bluntly and I winced
“Don’t say that Kerrie” I scowled and she raised her eyebrows “Why Ava, it’s
the truth. That’s the trouble with everybody; none of you are willing to admit
that I might actually not get through this” I looked at her hard but saw the
acceptance in her eyes, the fight was still there but she had prepared herself
that she could die “It’s just how it is” she stated and turned to rinse out her
cup

“I hope you don’t mind if I go up Ava, I’m still exhausted
from my chemo and it’s been a long day. Help yourself to anything you need” she
smiled softly and walked over to me, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek but I
grabbed her hand “You’ll get through this Kerrie” I told her seriously and she
nodded but didn’t say anything “Goodnight” she finally said and left.

I sighed heavily and walked back over to the couch, pouring
myself another and swilling it back and dispensed another “You’re a fucking
lush Ava” I chuckled, well on my way to oblivion.

Reaching over I turned off the lamps, kicked my shoes off
and settled back into the comfort of the sofa contemplating the horror and
emotional rollercoaster of the day.

My heart ached for what I had said to Mason but at the moment
I was seriously reflecting on our relationship; it was intense, passionate but
mostly so fucking volatile that I felt crushed and suffocated. Did I need a
relationship like this? I loved him with all my heart but was that enough? I
wasn’t sure.

Restless, I stood and walked over to the kitchen to look for
a snack. The fridge provided cheese and meats and popping some on a plate I
took my vodka and went to sit on the back deck. It was a hot summer’s night and
I settled into a lounger and demolished the food.

Switching my phone on I dialled George and after a few rings
he answered “Hey princess” he chirped happily and I smiled “George” God, I
loved to hear his voice “You okay Ava?” he asked and I sighed, closing my eyes
in preparation for what I was about to tell him “I found him George” I said
simply and I heard him pull in a large unsteady breath “Ava?” he choked out,
the enormity of what I had just told him sinking in “I finished him” I
whispered and he hissed, I could hear his heavy rasping breaths “How?” I paused
“I beat him to a pulp and then shot him in the head” I told him bluntly “
JESUS!!”
 

We were quiet for a moment “How do you feel?” he asked
quietly and I paused to contemplate his question “Relieved, sad…free” I said
honestly and he puffed “Oh princess, I wish I was there for you” he choked
“It’s over George. After 5 long fucking years. Katie pain has gone now” I said
openly and knew this man understood what I was saying and feeling “Oh
Sweetheart” he said, his voice breaking with emotion and then his sobs broke
free.

I remained silent while he put his own demons to rest,
finally letting go of the heartache he had felt for my years of torture. His
love for me had made him take on my grief and pain. “I love you George” I
whispered and he sighed heavily “Oh princess. Do you know how proud I am of
you? You have grown into a beautiful, strong woman and now you can start
rebuilding everything you put on hold whilst you needed to revenge Katie’s
death” he told me and I smiled “It’s all down to you George, if you hadn’t…if
you…” I couldn’t answer as my own voice broke

“Ava, you are the one who brought
me
back to life,
not the other way around. You gave me something to live for, the daughter I
never had and you gave me your love graciously and freely and I want to thank
you for that, so much Ava. I love you princess” he swallowed heavily and I
smiled “George, you are the most important thing in my life. You supported me,
dragged me up and didn’t take any shit from me. And believe me, the girl I was
back then, you were exactly what I needed and now it’s over I want you to start
living life over there. Lots of sun, sand and sex George…promise me” he
chuckled “Oh I can promise you that Ava. I’m already there sweetheart. At the
moment I am laid next to a very beautiful, very naked 26 year old Portuguese
girl who is staring at me like I’m crazy, and she may be fucking right” I
laughed heartily “God bless you George. I shall leave you to your loving and
I’ll ring you soon” he laughed “Okay princess. You take care and I love you
very much” he said “I love you too George” disconnecting the call I quickly
replied to a text I had received from Brian asking if I was okay as he’d heard
what happened today.

Sitting back on the lounger I studied a brick building across
the lawn through the window I could see a pattern of blue lights dancing and
flashing and my curiosity peaked sending me to investigate and I was stunned
when I opened the door to a pool house.