Everything That Glitters Ain't Gold by Danielle Martin (sneezy the snowman read aloud .txt) 📖

two with a stunned look on her face. “Lanceeeeee???” she sputtered out the man’s name in a flabbergasted tone.  Lance was the very last person she expected to see standing in Jade’s living room. He looked over, apparently surprised to see her too. “Ava??? Are you alright??? What happened to your face???”

She stood open-mouthed. She was surprised and puzzled all at the same time. “Sorry…” she apologized after falling awkwardly silent. “I’m shocked to see you here, Lance. When did you two meet up???” she pointed back and forth in-between the two. “It’s only been 4 days. Did I miss something????”

Jade chuckled. She sashayed over to where Lance stood and wrapped her arms over his shoulders. He smiled back at her and slipped his arms around her waist pulling her in close. “Such a small world.” She answered. “I was at the college dropping my niece off and look who I ran into. He teaches one of her classes.” Lance gazed at her the entire time that she spoke, staring at her as if he were highly infatuated with her.

“Wow…” Ava mumbled. “Definitely a small world.”

Lance and Jade stood extremely close together. Their fingers were intertwined. She smiled at him again. “I know we are moving kind of fast, but it all makes sense.” They both gawked at each other while standing face to face. Ava was baffled by the irony. The chemistry between them was undeniable.

“I owe you, Hazel. I really appreciate you introducing us.” Lance turned and winked at her. “Looks like things worked out after all.”

Ava inspected him closely. She wanted to interrogate him badly. She wanted to know when and how this happened and if his intentions were truly pure. But she could see the look in his eyes. She could see the adornment when he looked at her.

“Wow…” Ava mumbled again. Her lips curved into a smile. Instantly, her shock turned into happiness. “This is great, Jade!” she exclaimed.

Jade laughed, her sudden excitement surprising her. “Really? You think we make a good couple???” she leaned over and playfully pressed her cheek next to his.

Ava smiled warmly then walked across the room towards them. She stopped in front of them both and placed a hand on both of their shoulders. “I’ve never seen something so beautiful in my life… I’m so happy for you both.”

Jade turned to her and smiled. She wrapped her up in another hug. “Thank you Hazel… I’m so happy you’re back in my life… I’m glad we’re friends again…”

Ava pulled apart and smiled. Jade deserved love. Jade deserved a good man. She deserved Lance.

As if snapping out of her daze, she abruptly straightened her posture. “Sorry, I almost lost focus. Let’s get you to a hospital, Ava.” She turned to Lance. “I will be back later tonight baby. Don’t wait up for me…”

Lance smiled, pulled her in and wrapped her up in a passionate kiss. She kissed him back sensually, rubbing her hands up and down his back as she indulged into his kisses. Ava stood by awkwardly, waiting for them to finish. Seconds later, Jade pulled back staring at his lips as if she wanted to kiss him again. But she composed herself. She winked at him, turned to Ava and began heading in her direction with her purse thrown over her shoulder. “Alright let’s go.” Ava nodded her head. She threw up her hand one last time, waved by to Lance then mouthed the words “Take care of her.” He shot her a thumbs up then waved back. Ava smiled, a feeling of inner peace suddenly taking over. This was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a while. She almost forgot it felt his damn good.

 Silently, Ava fell into step behind Jade, followed her out of the living room past the foyer and out of the front door to head to the emergency room.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 25.

Chapter 25.

 

“Alright, Ms. Sweeney. You will be perfectly fine. Make sure you go home, get some rest and drop your eyes with saline at least 2 times a day. The swelling will go down in no time.”

Ava looked up at the 6’2 doctor standing over her with his long white coat hanging to his knees. Dr. Harney was his name. She sat on an examining table with her legs crossed as Doctor Harney shined a bright light into both eyes.

“Thanks Doc. I feel much better now.” Ava thanked him for seeing her so quickly. She had only been in the emergency room 15 minutes prior to being called to the back to be checked out. Ava breathed a sigh of relief knowing she would be okay. Luckily, there was no extensive damage to her eyesight. She could see perfectly fine and would eventually heal from the emotional scars. She got up from the table and firmly planted her feet to the floor. He smiled and handed her a clipboard to sign. She signed the papers to be released, thanked him again and headed out of the double doors heading to the lobby. Silently, she trailed down the hallway towards the exit with her head hung low. Ava could barely fathom the fact that she was inside a hospital nor could she accept the reasoning behind what put her here. Her body had yet to grieve. Yet to comprehend everything she had lost. Ava neared the exit. She was desperate to get the hell out of this icy cold building. Desperate to figure out what she was going to do with her life now.

“Ava…” a chilling voice called her name as soon as she appeared around the corner. Ava came to an unexpected standstill after almost colliding with the wall. The emergency room lobby was filled with people. They stared at her strangely after stumbling into the room.

“Hello Ava…” the person called out to her again.

Her blood immediately ran cold. Ava knew that voice very well. So well that she knew who was speaking even with her back being turned. She nervously searched the lobby, her eyes landing on who Jade who stood by in the corner nervously biting her nails. Clearly, she had something to do with this person showing up unannounced.

“Ava, please talk to me…” Out of her peripheral view, she could see the manly figure walk across the room and head in her direction. The closer he got, the more horrified she became. She jumped back and screamed louder than she intended. “No! No! Don’t touch me!” Ava dashed away before the man could get close. She ran past several pair of eyes staring at her crazily then charged straight to where Jade stood in the corner. “Why did you invite him here???” she shifted her aggression towards Jade and shouted at her irately. “He shouldn’t be here!!! You don’t know what he has done to me!!!” Ava was livid. Furiously angry. Jade stared back at her with a staggered look on her face. She held her hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know who else to call.”

Ava covered her face with her hands after hearing her response. She was embarrassed. “Dammit!” she cursed. Jade had no idea what was really going on. This wasn’t her fault at all. Ava only had herself to blame.

“What’s going on Hazel???” she nudged her making her lift her head. “What has he done to you??? What haven’t you been telling me?” she questioned her. Ava stared at Jade standing before her evidently concerned with a worried look on her face. This woman was truly oblivious to what was really going on in her life. She did not understand the severity of the pain this man had caused. Ava was tired of lying to her. She sighed. “There’s a lot you don’t know Jade…”

Immediately, she gasped after noticing the situation was more serious than she initially thought. “What??? But you two are such a happy couple!”

Ava smacked her lips, quickly remembering how convincing her lies had become over the years. She had become the master of deception.  “I will tell you everything….” Ava gave her a serious look, letting her know to prepare for an earful. “I’m going to step outside for a moment. Please wait for me…. Please don’t leave me here alone with him.” She narrowed her eyes, hinting that she was extremely serious. Nervously, Jade nodded her head.

Ava turned back to look over her shoulder. She turned to look at the person whom she was so afraid to face. The person she used to love…

“Desean…” Unhurriedly, she said his name after finally facing him. Just saying it after all this time burned the surface of her lips. Ava had sworn to herself she would never see or speak to this man ever again. Now, here he stood before her dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans and white t-shirt gazing at her as if he were desperate to talk. Although he looked the same, everything was different now. Ava sighed. She could not avoid him this time because he was blocking the exit.

“I’m sorry to show up unexpected.” Desean walked towards her slowly as if he were hesitating she would run away again. “Jade called and told me she was dropping you off to the emergency room. I rushed right here.”

Ava glared, his soft tone irritating the hell out of her. Ava saw right through the front. She rolled her eyes and held up her hand, stopping him before he could say anything else. “Let’s talk outside.” She rudely brushed past him and stomped towards the exit. The emergency room was crowded and clearly they had already gained an audience. Ava didn’t want any more strangers in her business. Desean followed closely behind her. They exited the waiting room and walked out of the sliding doors. The night breeze felt good hitting her skin as soon as she stepped outside.

“Come on. Over here….” She walked to the side of the building with Desean close behind her. He was extremely quiet which was unlike him. Ava wasn’t buying his calm manner. He had some sort of trick up his sleeve. She knew him all too well.

 After locating a spot out of earshot, she turned to Desean with an annoyed expression. Truth be told, she didn’t want to be bothered with any more of his apologies. She didn’t want to hear anymore lies. “What do you want this time??? Haven’t you messed up my life enough already???” Ava didn’t hold back. She immediately began jumping down his throat.

Desean guiltily stared at the ground. He stuffed his hands in his pockets before responding. “I was worried about you, Ava… That’s why I came…”

She rolled her eyes, throwing her head back and laughing nonchalantly. “Why would you be worried about me??? After everything that has happened, why do you even care????”

 Desean sighed. He seemed distraught and exhausted as if he hadn’t slept in days. He shook his head before answering. “I know I will never be able to take back the things that I have done to you….” He spoke gently.

She cut her eyes at him. You’re damn right! You can’t undo the past! You can’t erase what you have done!

 Desean continued. “The day you walked away and left with another man, I knew at that moment… you weren’t coming back… I