Lost But Found | ✔️ - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Unspoken Tension
Ava
Her body ached.
The fall wasn't as bad as it could have been—her bases had slowed the drop just enough, and Jaxon had caught her before she hit the ground. But that didn't mean she wasn't feeling it.
Ava sat on the edge of her bed, rolling her shoulder with a wince. The dull pain pulsed beneath her skin, a reminder of what had happened, of what could have happened.
She should be grateful.
And she was.
But something about it all left her unsettled.
Jaxon had been there. Jaxon had caught her.
She could still feel the warmth of his arms around her, the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingertips.
And she hated it.
Not because she didn't trust him.
But because, for a moment—just a moment—she had.
She had let herself lean into him, let herself feel safe, and that was dangerous.
Because safety wasn't permanent.
She knew that better than anyone.
A sharp knock at the front door pulled her from her thoughts. Ava frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late. Too late for Claire, and she didn't have anyone else who would randomly show up.
Cautiously, she made her way to the door, hesitating before unlocking it.
When she pulled it open, her stomach dropped.
Jaxon.
Still in his hoodie and sweats from after the game, his hands tucked into his pockets, his blue eyes scanning her like he was checking to make sure she was still standing.
Ava exhaled sharply. "What are you doing here?"
Jaxon shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "You didn't text me."
She blinked. "Why would I text you?"
He raised a brow. "You fell out of the air an hour ago, Carter. Call me crazy, but I figured you might want to let the guy who caught you know you were still in one piece."
Ava's fingers tightened around the door. "I'm fine."
Jaxon studied her for a long moment before sighing. "Yeah. That's what I thought you'd say."
She crossed her arms. "Then why are you here?"
His smirk softened, his voice quieter this time. "Because I don't believe you."
Ava's stomach flipped.
No one had ever called her out like that before.
Not Claire. Not the rest of the squad. Not even the people who should have known better.
And yet, here Jaxon was.
Persistent. Relentless. Looking at her like she was something more than just the girl who had fallen.
Like he saw her.
She swallowed, forcing herself to keep her voice even. "Well, I don't need you to check on me."
Jaxon didn't move. "Too bad. I'm here anyway."
Ava sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "You're exhausting, you know that?"
Jaxon smirked. "So I've been told."
For a second, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with something unspoken.
Ava should have pushed him away.
She should have told him to leave.
But instead, she stepped back, just enough to widen the door.
Jaxon raised a brow. "Is this an invitation?"
Ava rolled her eyes. "It's an I'd rather get this over with so you'll leave sooner."
Jaxon grinned but didn't argue as he stepped inside.
And Ava?
Ava wasn't sure why she had let him in.
But for the first time, she wasn't entirely sure she wanted him to leave.