Secrets In The Sunset | KTH 18+ ✔️

Chapter Seventy

"You're coming back? When?" The excitement in my voice is hard to contain as I hear the good news coming from the other end of my cell phone.

"I am. Not permanently, but for a month or so." Uncle Kim responds. "I want to see you! I miss our Saturday afternoons."

Smiling brightly as I try to pick out my clothes for the day, I end up having to just plop down on to my bed for a moment. It's been forever since I've seen Uncle Kim and while I feel myself starting to finally move on with my life, he'll always hold a special place in my heart - regardless of who I'm dating.

"Of course you'll see me." I stare up at the ceiling, my smile faltering from my face and my excitement dwindling with it. "Just you?" I ask, knowing what the answer will be.

"I'm sorry." It's all Uncle Kim can say, knowing what I'm thinking - knowing all of the heartbreak I went through and also knowing Taehyung's side of the story. Even though he won't tell me any of that.

A barely visible smile comes across my face as if he can even see it while a moment of silence passes between us. "Isn't it getting late over there? You don't stay up as late as you used to anymore."

He chuckles, "Yeah, I'm getting old."

Rolling my eyes, I sigh out in annoyance at him saying that again, "Dude, you're only forty one. That's not old at all."

"Dude?" He mocks me with a surprised tone of voice. "You've gotten disrespectful since I've moved away."

"Joesonghamnida Uncle Kim," I croon, "but you're still not old."

"Mmhmm, say that to these knees that creek and snap every time I squat now." He laughs, making me giggle along with him. "I'll call you again soon. Take care of yourself, Ava. I love you."

"I will. I love you too. Talk to you soon." I wait a few more seconds before ending the phone call.

Not going to lie, I'm super excited about seeing Uncle Kim again. We can barely keep in touch these days as it is, so seeing him will be wonderful and he'll always be family to me. He took me in when he didn't have to and always treated me with nothing but love and kindness. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the hurt I've done so well at concealing coming back in full force.

The water from the shower shuts off and I know Ethan will be coming out soon. Springing off of the bed, I hurry up and pick out something to throw on for the day. A cute pink and white dress with a lightweight jacket and some sandals will be easy and quick enough to throw on since it won't take him long to get dressed himself.

We didn't have any special plans for the day. We actually initially planned on just lazily hanging out, but Kinsley and Lucas wanted everyone to get together and we didn't want to be the only two who said no. Plus, I'll get to see Emma's baby boy.

Ethan steps into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his hips and nonchalantly rubbing his hair to dry it as his muscles flexed under his movements. My mouth dries at the sight and I do my best to direct my attention elsewhere. If I don't, lord knows we'll never leave out of my downtown loft.

A loving smile takes over his expression as he looks up and sees me slipping on my lightweight denim jacket. It's hard not to smile or blush when he looks at me like that. Especially with him looking like that.

"You look lovely today." He walks over and grabs the clothes he needed out of his overnight bag.

"Thank you." I smile and sit back down on the bed with my legs bent while he puts on his outfit which apparently is just a pair of jeans and a fitted white T-shirt, but he can make it look like it's dressier than it is. "I got a call from Uncle Kim." I casually announce as he slips on his infamous small hoop earrings.