ELIZABETH'S POV 

The grass slid against the bottom of my bare feet as I walked through the backyard. Pieces of dirt stuck to the surface along with small leaves. I walked towards the tall oak tree the grew next to the shed. Only a little light from the rising sun peered through the branches onto the old swing that hung beneath it. I had only come out here a few times. Sometimes to think and other times just to be alone. 

I slipped into the seat and grabbed onto one of the old ropes with one hand. My phone sat in the other and I slid down my contacts list. Clicking on Avery's contact I brought the phone up to my ear. I hadn't seen her in about a month and it was about damn time I did. 

The hum sounded about three times before there was a click, "Hey."

She sounded so calm and put together and to be honest it was surprising. I expected a full on squeal in my ear and her bubbly self, "Hey Avery, how are you?"

She let out a sigh that kind of got my attention, "I'm doing fine, you?"

"Um," I furrowed my brows and let the swing move slowly back and forth, "I'm alright. What happened, you sound... different."

"A lot has happened, Liz."

"Well, want to come over and tell me about it?"

There was a pause before she spoke, "Yeah actually. That'd be really nice."

"Okay great. Three o'clock sound good to you?"

"That'll work," her voice sounded tight and at unease. Thought's swirled in my mind of what could've happened. Avery never seemed worried about anything. Always so carefree.

"See you then."

"Bye," she  ended the call quickly but I still had a small smile on my face. I missed my best friend. The door from the house slammed shut and I looked back. Tristan stood by the pool puffing on a cigarette which confused me. He never really smoked. 

I headed up towards the house with the intention to avoid him. If he was smoking then he must be stressed about something. I tugged at the bottom of my shorts keeping my gaze down on the stone steps and how my foot hit them with rhythm. I was about to reach the door but when I looked at him something came over me, "Good morning."

He turned his head to me and let his eyes travel up and down my body, "Not really, no." 

I watched the cigarette lift to his lips and his chest rise as he filled his lungs with the smoke. I knew something was bothering him. My hands twisted with each other and I bit my bottom lip, "Oh?"

He let out a small chuckle and rubbed his forehead with the hand he held the smoke in, "I mean it's nice. The day. It's pretty."

I followed his gaze to the backyard. It was a pretty day. The birds sang and there was a slight breeze to offset the sun. I smiled and walked passed his to the stone wall the sat on the other side of the pool. I pulled my self up onto it and brought my knees to my chest. I gazed at the yard in silence. It felt so peaceful to watch the nature. I loved Tristan's backyard. Well, our backyard, because there wasn't concrete or anything new age. Just nature, "I could stay out here forever."  

My long wavy hair the was probably messy from sleep followed the soft breeze back towards the house. There was silence then footsteps approached. Tristan leaned on his forearms next to me looking out at the yard. The cig still sat in his hand. I studied him for a second. His hair was messy and his eyes were tired. Although from the side you could see how long his dark lashes were. My eyes went down to his sharp jaw before looking back out at the yard, "Avery's coming over today."

He hummed and puffed on his cig, "I have a friend coming over to discuss an important matter so if you both stay out of our way that won't be a problem."

I rolled my eyes before looking at him. I decided to ignore the rude remark slightly enjoying conversation between the two of us, "Who?"

He turned his head and looked at me. I stared into his icy eyes for a second and my heart jumped a little. What the hell? He licked his lips and looked back at the yard, "Brandon."

I let out a snort and he glanced back at me giving me a weird look, "What? I just think Brandon and Avery interacting is going to be a sight to see," I laughed a little, "she's gonna hate him."

Tristan chuckled and put his cigarette out on the stone before flicking it into the yard, "I'm sure he'll love her. He always want the ones that want nothing to do with him."

I turned and swung my legs to the other side so I was facing the house, "How long have you to known each other?"

My legs dangled, swinging slightly and my eyes stayed on his face. He looked at me like he was contemplating on actually talking to me about this anymore and then spoke, "We grew up together."

"Wow, friends for that long?"

"Well, we didn't always like each other."

"Why?"

He stood up completely so his face was a little higher than mine, "Your full of questions this morning."

I sighed and nodded my head. I was, wasn't I? "Well," I said thinking as I spoke, "this is the first time we've actually had a conversation and I guess I'm trying to take full advantage of it." 

His eyes studied my face and a small frown formed onto his lips. Mixed emotions swirled in his intimidating eyes but his gaze didn't falter. My lips parted slightly drawing his eyes to them. I watched his jaw clench and him swallow before his eyes met mine again, "Well maybe you shouldn't."

Just the small act of his eyes moving had my heart racing. He turned and started to walk towards the house. I shouldn't? Why shouldn't I try and talk to him? That was the dumbest thing I've heard. We may never love each other or ever feel like we're married but we could at least be friends. 

I licked my lips and ran a hand the my hair before glancing up at the shutting door. This man could not be more confusing.

***

"It's my dad," Avery's small faced contorted at the mention of it. We'd been together for most of the day and she was off the whole time. I had only seen her laugh once or twice and she looked tired. 

"What about him?" I sat down next to her on my bed.

She pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, "He'd been acting strange for weeks. Out late all the time and sometimes he wouldn't even come home. And when he was home he was weird. Jittery and paranoid about everything. He wouldn't relax."

I was confused on where this was going. The possibilities swirled in my mind as she took the long pause. Was he cheating on her mom?

"I went out for a couple days and when I came back my mom was a wreck. She said she hadn't heard from or seen him. At first I thought maybe they had a falling out but my mom denied it. Not even his closest friends had heard from him. She kept talking about how he was working with this man named Isaac Norman. Maybe they did business together I don't know. She seemed more worried about some Russian man who's name I can't remember. But Liz, I'm so worried." 

A tear slipped from her eye in the end. I stared at her for a second unsure how to respond. How do you respond? That name, Norman, it sounded so familiar.

"You've contacted the police right? Are people searching?"

She nodded her head reluctantly and a let out a sigh. I scooted closer and pulled her to me, "They're going to find him Aves. Anyways it's your dad, he couldn't have gone far. Worst he could've done is some binge drinking in Vegas." 

She giggled and nodded, "You're right about that. He's done that before, that's probably where he's at. But he always stays in contact," she pulled back and looked at me, "Lizzy no ones heard from him." 

"I'm sorry, I wish they're was something we could do," I stood from the bed, "but you've done all you can. Now all you can do is hope and pray. It's only been a few days."

She agreed and followed me down the stairs and out back. I slipped off my cover up and dipped my legs in the pool. The four o'clock sun shown down leaving some shadow. Avery ran past me and jumped into the pull sending water flying everywhere. The cold droplets landed on my skin and I shivered. 

She rose back to the surface and sucked in air. I glared at her playfully, "Bitch." 

She chuckled and floated onto her back. Her eyes closed and she stayed like that for a minute. Not to long after I slid in and let the water surround me. Avery straightened and looked at me, "How are you and Tristan?" 

I coughed a little, "We're fine."

She raised an eyebrow and swam towards me, "Really?"

I sighed and glanced over at her. She was already suspicious because of the wedding and I hated lying to her. She didn't have to pressure me at all because I already knew I was going to tell her. I needed to tell someone. I needed someone to talk to about this. I'd held this in for so long, "I know you know somethings up. Listen this can't get out. Last thing I need is the press popping up with some dumb ass story. But out marriage was arranged. My father's company was and maybe still is collapsing. Vanessa had this brilliant plan for me to save it so here I am. It was bad, I hated him at first. I still don't like him too much."

Her eyes widened, "I knew there was something. Of course Vanessa sold you out, the bitch. But it can't be that horrible. Liz, he's sexy as hell."

I laughed and nodded, "That's the problem."

We swam for an hour or so before we got hungry. I got out and wrapped a towel around me and she did the same, "what do you want to eat?"

She groaned and put her hand over her stomach, "Anything that's edible."

I laughed at her and we walked into the cool house. We headed into the kitchen and I stopped in the doorway. Avery continued and grabbed a cup to get water. Sarah hustled around the kitchen and Tristan and Brandon stood on the other side of the counter talking, "We sent him in and it was a failed mission. You expect to do it again and get different results? He's not that type of man Brandon you know that."

The conversation seemed heated. Business Tristan was kind of sexy though. Brandon looked frustrated and it took  sip of what I assume was whiskey, "Well, let me know when you have a better idea because I'm at a loss."

I furrowed my brows and stepped into the kitchen focusing on Sarah, "Hey Sarah, what are you making for dinner?"

She looked at me and smiled, "Whatever you'd like. I'm making  the boys Greek Pasta and Gyros."

Avery leaned against the counter and let out a moan that caught the boys attention, "Oh that's perfect. I'm not picky and that sounds amazing."

I chuckled, "You're crazy to offer to cook us something else. You always work to much."

Sarah shrugged and smiled as she put the pasta in the boiling water, "You know I'm just doing my job."

I could feel a hot glare on the side of my face and I turned at look at Tristan. Damn, why does he have to be so hot. His cold eyes made me tingle in ways I didn't understand. I licked my lips and looked over at Brandon who was smiling, "Lizzy! I didn't know you were here."

I smiled and raised an eyebrow, "I live here."

He just chuckled and shrugged, "And who's your pretty friend?"

Avery snorted and walked up beside me. Both of us had towels wrapped around us and our hair slightly damp. I didn't try to introduce her because I knew what she was thinking. Why not ask me yourself bitch?

"Avery," she said with a small glare. I bit my lip to hold back a laugh and I saw Tristan watching me with amusement. His eyes held mine for a second until I looked down and let out a huff of air, "I'm going to go change."

I looked at Avery and she nodded. 

_________________________________________________________

Dont worry the juice is coming. 

Just give it a second

<3