Chapter 19
Visitors
I was on edge for a couple of weeks, worried that someone would come to question me about Kakos No. 3, but the only person I heard from was Margaux; she texted me, saying that if I should need anything to let her know. Her message indicated clearly that she knew I was involved in the murder. I began to lighten up a bit and August and I went out much more often as the weather got warmer. We began to hang out with Nora and Adler in Soho. Sometimes Claude, August’s ex-boyfriend, would tag along. Claude had just moved to London and was trying to get back into August’s life. The “should he or shouldn’t he” conversation became a daily feature of our lives.
One night when I was sitting at a bar with August, I got a text from Rory: “Pick us up at Heathrow in an hour?” A second text arrived from him immediately after: “Please?” Then came a third: “Oh & can we stay w/u for a week?”
I stared at my phone and blinked several times. Rory is here. Here in London. My lips pulled up at the corners and I felt… excited! I typed a quick “okay” in response and grabbed August, telling him we had to head to Heathrow. We said goodbye to Nora and Adler. We ignored Claude, who was having a moment on the dance floor, dancing by himself to Deadmau5, and headed out to pick Rory up at the airport.
“So who is this person exactly and who else is with him?”
“Um, he’s my friend and Ari’s cousin.”
“Is he with Ari?!” August exclaimed.
I shoved that thought away; I was not going to let myself get excited about the prospect of seeing Ari.
“I doubt it.”
“Oh…So, he is staying with us for a week?”
“Yeah. I guess. I would have told you sooner but I only just found out.”
“Are you sure Ari isn’t with him?”
The very thought of seeing Ari was like a crazy addictive drug. It made every nerve in my body dance around with excitement. I knew not to get my hopes up.
“Yes, August, I’m sure he isn’t here.”
We got to Heathrow just in time to meet Rory at the pick-up area. I heard Julia’s squeals and closed my eyes, bracing myself for what was to come. Rory scooped me up into a giant bear hug that made my ribs scream out in pain, but I had missed him so much I didn’t care. Just seeing him standing there was a very surreal moment. I took one tiny glance through the corridor. No Ari.
As though able to read my thoughts, Rory bit down on his bottom lip, shook his head no and gave me one last reassuring squeeze.
“So what are you guys doing here?” I finally asked as I tried to get us a cab.
“It’s spring break and we missed you, so here we are! Julia used the tickets you and um… well, the tickets she got for Christmas.”
“This is an awesome surprise,” I said, then turned and introduced them to August.
We got a cab, and packed it down with luggage and headed to my makeshift home.
August moved to the couch, giving Rory and Julia his room, and we stayed up most of the night talking about school and parties and stuff no one cared about; we were all very careful to avoid the Ari conversation. The next day, Julia and August slept in while Rory joined Nora and me on our run. I could tell our slow pace was killing him, but he was gracious and kept stride for Nora’s sake.
We spent the afternoon touring London. Since Julia had grown up nearby, we visited all of her favorite places; the tour gave us a chance to get to know each other a little bit better. They forced me back on the London Eye and I kept my eyes closed for the whole half hour ride. We visited the cemetery where Julia’s family rests. I could tell it was a very hard thing for her to do. She started crying and threw her arms around me in a hug.
“You did it, didn’t you?” she whispered in my ear.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. . .I’m sorry.”
“You killed him. The Kakos they found here last month. He was the man who killed my parents. Thank you, Ava.”
“Oh…”
We spent nearly every night out in Soho, and since August did not believe in spring break, I continued my studies with him in the mornings. Of the many schools I had attended and of the many teachers I had had to deal with, August was by far the most strict. But he made up for pushing me by coming home Thursday night with six tickets to the Mumford & Sons’ Friday night show at The Hammersmith Apollo. I gave him my biggest hug and a little kiss on his cheek while he tried to wiggle away.
We dressed up for the evening and I even let Julia do my makeup. Then we met up with Adler and Nora at Les Trois Garcons for dinner, one of my favorite places and one of August’s too. Its pink-and-blue chandeliers, stuffed monkeys smoking cigars, and handbags strung from the ceiling create an atmosphere that is somewhat whimsical but also very chic. After a great dinner, complete with lots of storytelling and laughter, we made our way to the show. The Hammersmith was bursting at the seams but the Mumford & Sons’ show was fantastic and worth the close quarters. We all had a great time and I could tell that Julia and August had become fast friends. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed earlier how much alike they are.
We got back to my flat really late. Julia and August crashed on the couch as soon as we walked through the door. I donned my tank and boxers and climbed up in my window seat with a cup of tea. Rory found me there and pulled his giant self in next to me.
“He misses you, you know,” Rory whispered as he nudged my shoulder with his. A big fat tear rolled down my cheek.
“I miss him, too,” I said quietly.
“So come home, Ava. This place is no good for you. No offense, but you look sick and tired. And thin and pale. You’re sleeping on box springs for Pete’s sake. You have a home with us. Come back with Julia and me, please.”
“I can’t Roar, you know that. I just can’t.” I swallowed hard. “So, does he know you are here?”
“I didn’t tell him, but I’m sure he knows by now. You know no one in our family can keep a secret.” Rory paused for a moment, “Ava, Ari is a mess; he does nothing but mope around. Aggie is worried sick about him.” Rory pulled out his phone and held it up so I could see a picture he had taken of Ari asleep, in his bed at home, with a two-headed teddy bear tucked under his arm.
“He said it smells like you, whatever that means.”
I started to cry, even though I had a smile on my face. That picture made me both the saddest and happiest I had been in a very long time. Rory pulled me to him and let me cry into his shoulder until I was all dried up.
I finally got myself together. “So do you think Ari will be mad at you two for sneaking off here?”
“If I know Ari, and I think do, he is going to be irate. He has been looking for a reason to break my nose for months now. But he won’t be as mad as when he sees those tats, Ava.”
“Oh, yeah,” I said, scrunching up my nose and holding out my arm to display my new art. “Well, I guess we won’t know until we get to see each other again, if ever.”
“I’m joking, Ava. He’ll probably think it’s the hottest thing ever. I’m sure he won’t be able to take his hands off you, not that he ever could to begin with.”
I blushed and the thought of Ari’s touch sent happy shivers down my spine.
“I told him I didn’t love him.”
“I know you did.”
“I lied.”
“He knows that. We all know that.”
“Rory, this is so much harder than I ever imagined. I just want the Kakos thing to all be over with. I just want to go home.”
“I know, Baby. But you can come home whenever you want. We’ll always have a place for you, no matter what.”