Look After Me Read Online Free Page B

place my beer on the counter. Unable to look Ashton Douchebag Bailey in the eyes, I focus on my daughter. She’s dressed in a pink tutu skirt with a t-shirt that says, ‘birthday princess’ across the front in sparkles. Ballerina flats cover her tiny feet, and a pink headband adorns the top of her chocolate colored hair. She beams a huge smile when I take her into my arms.
    “Hi, baby. You look beautiful.” I press a delicate kiss on the top of her head. “Look who came all the way from Charlotte to see you. Your Aunt Grace . . .”
    Before I know it my daughter has made a new best friend, and I’m soon forgotten as Grace sits on the floor playing with her. I watch from afar and smile on the inside as Lily’s laughter echoes around the room. It’s still hard to physically smile. It’s hard to feel anything other than rage, especially now when the reason for my rage is only ten feet away, laughing at something Ashton said. There used to be a time when I made her laugh like that. My inner smile fades away, and I let the anger battle through me as my thoughts run away . . .
    I’ve spent the last six hours in this hospital waiting room, and I haven’t said one word. I just continue to stare daggers at him, hatred radiating from me. I’ve spent the past six hours trying to come to terms with things—things I don’t understand; things that make no sense. Within minutes, my whole world came tumbling down on top of me.
    I’m angry and confused. The abuse and the kidnapping are what I feel confused by, but the cheating . . . That’s what has me physically raging with anger, an anger I didn’t even realize existed. It’s a feeling so foreign that I’m afraid of what I could be capable of.
    I’m just so fucking angry.
    I’m angry with Ava. She’s deceived me in the worst possible way. She cheated on me, the one thing I never thought she’d be capable of.
    I’m angry with Caleb. The guy I call one of my closest friends has deceived me. He knew Ava was cheating on me, but he never fucking told me.
    I’m angry with Ashton. He went after Ava, knowing she was a taken woman; knowing that she was my woman.
    I’m angry with Avery. He did the most sickening act ever known to man. I want to kill him with my bare hands. Sick fuck . . . Sick, sick, sick, fuck!
    Anger doesn’t even cut it. The explosive ammunition that fills my veins is indescribable.
    “Okay . . . It’s been six hours and you still haven’t said a word, and the death glare you’ve been sending me obviously isn’t working, so give it to me. Whatever it is you want to do to me, just do it.”
    The sound of Ashton’s voice startles me. As much as I want to drive my fist into his face again, I don’t. I’m using too much energy trying to work through the burning pain of my thoughts and the excruciating fire that chars a hole through my heart.
    “Well, if you’re not going to speak, then I will. I’m sorry you had to find out the way you did. Ava . . . She wanted to tell you in person. She definitely didn’t want you finding out this way.”
    Why is he talking? I don’t want to hear what he has to say. He’s known Ava for five fucking minutes, but I have a history with her; four years’ worth of happy memories. I stare daggers at him as he continues speaking, my knuckles cracking from the intense grip of my fists.
    “I can’t really speak for her but none of this has been easy. She’s been an absolute wreck. I know what we did was unacceptable and I take full responsibility. So if you want to kick the shit out of me, have at it.”
    My body trembles as each word comes out of his mouth; each word wearing down my resolve.
    “I’d prefer you to take the anger you have for her out on me. She’s been through enough and I don’t want to see her hurt anymore.”
    My eyes narrow at his moronic words. I understand his protectiveness; I would wrench my own heart out of my chest if it meant protecting Ava from ever getting hurt again. But his