Incineration (Heart of Stone) by D H Sidebottom Read Free Book Online Page A

as the driver eyed me through the mirror “You okay love?” he asked,
frowning at me. I smiled and nodded “Yeah thanks, just an overfriendly bloke” I
laughed to disguise my panic.
    What the hell had happened in there? I had never in my whole
life acted as I did like that, I was ready to rip his clothes off and ride him
to oblivion. The thought made me wet, and the vivid visions refused to leave my
head “Jesus Ava” I sighed to myself as I rubbed my eyes.
    My phone rang but I ignored it and then a text alert beeped
on my phone
     
    MASON:
    What the hell Ava? What did I do?
    Text me when you get back so I know your home safe. That
is an order not a request! By the way, you need to sanitize your knuckles, they
are bleeding! We will talk Monday.
     
    Shit! I groaned as I looked at my hand “That looks nasty”
the driver said “You want to divert to the hospital?” he asked, I was growing
to like this guy “Nah, I’m okay but thank you” I gave him a gentle smile and he
nodded, then took me the rest of the way in silence, sensing my reluctance to
talk. After bathing my hand with a swill of vodka, I sat on the sofa and
finished the rest, falling asleep drunkenly on the couch.
     
    There was a ringing in my ears and I grumbled at it, trying
to drift back to the peacefulness of sleep and it rang off. I smiled to myself
and snuggled deeper in to comfort but the ringing started again. I reached on
to the floor and rummaged through my bag, answering my phone without opening my
eyes “What?” I slurred “Ava?” Mason growled and my eyes snapped opened.  Shit! “Erm hi” I said hesitantly “Are You home?” he asked firmly “Erm yup” I grimaced
as I heard him huff “You were supposed to let me know” he said grimly and I
recoiled into the couch at his tone, as though it would shield me from his
anger “Erm…yeah sorry, I kind of just flaked out” I heard him huff again “Did
you clean your hand?” he probed and I groaned “Yes sir, I gave it a drink of
vodka” I smirked, trying to hold in the laughter as the silliness of the
conversation “Don’t be facetious Ava” he snarled. Oops! “Sorry” I whispered
back and I heard his resigned sigh.
    He was silent for a moment “Where the hell did you learn to
punch like that?” he asked, now in a lighter tone. I groaned and rested my head
back; rubbing at my temples “You need to be tough when you grow up in foster
care Mr Fox” I heard his growl through the phone; Mr Cross was back and I
rolled my eyes “Will you stop with the Mr Fox, I think we got to the first name
stage tonight, don’t you?” he demanded and I gulped “Erm I really should go
Mr…Mason, I’ll see you Monday” I hovered on the disconnect icon as he shouted
my name again “Yeah?” I asked quietly “Make sure you keep your hand clean and
yes, I’ll see you Monday. Take care Ava” he said softly and I frowned, his mood
swings were perplexing “Okay Mason, bye” I heard his soft bye as I ended the
call and quickly remembered to text Courtney before I climbed the stairs and
climbed into bed with a groan. I was going to have a killer headache tomorrow.

CHAPTER 7
     
    I had arranged to meet Courtney for brunch in our favourite
restaurant and as I was sat waiting for her at our table my phone trilled
     
    MASON:
    Headache?
     
    Was that it? The extent of a conversation down to one word?
Puzzled I replied
     
    ME:
    Nope, fresh as a daisy
     
    I grinned when he sent back a smiley face. “Boo” Courtney
shouted behind me and I jumped in my seat, snarling at her “Headache?” she
asked. Seriously?   It must be the new word craze. I shook my head and
grinned at her, poking my tongue out.
    She plopped into the chair opposite me, narrowing her eyes
on me “Spill” she ordered and I retreated into my chair a little. I shrugged and
scanned the menu “Spill” she repeated more firmly, kicking my shin gently and I
glared at her “That was just my boss” I said nonchalantly and