Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
kane
TWO WEEKS LATER
Why – LANY
It’s been two weeks since the shooting, and life is just now starting to get back to normal.
The nightmares that have plagued me since that night have been dwindling.
I’ve bumped up my sessions with Steve to twice a week and made sure Avery attends all her appointments.
Her stitches have mostly healed, and she’s gotten the all-clear to go back to work, but she still has to avoid any heavy lifting until her final checkup next month.
We haven’t spent a night apart since she came home from the hospital.
I have been slowly moving into her room one bag at a time.
She thinks I haven’t noticed her clearing space out and getting rid of half her closet to fit me in.
What she doesn’t know is I’ve taken all the bags she tried to donate and kept them for when Morgan moves out so I can make her a second closet in the other room.
Along with all her crafts, she can have a getaway room all to herself whenever she wants it.
Morgan has been slowly packing up as well, not wanting to be too far from Avery any more than I do. Marcus and Grayson have been by every day, all of us taking turns cooking and cleaning for Avery so she could really take these two weeks to heal.
The physical healing has been a lot faster than the mental and emotional healing.
I know Avery has been having trouble sleeping, even though she’s tried to hide it from me, which led to a big discussion one night about how this time, we have to talk to each other even when it’s hard.
There’s no more hiding how we’re feeling and letting miscommunication tear us apart.
Today is my first day back to work. The school gave me these past few weeks off as they processed the scene and resumed classes as normal.
I’m not exactly thrilled about going back, not knowing what could await me.
I know I messed up when I went to confront Trevor’s dad without thinking about the repercussions.
My job aside, I don’t regret sticking up for Trevor. I do regret how my actions harmed Avery and potentially could’ve harmed so many others, though.
Steve has me working on letting go of the guilt, reminding me that I’m not to blame—Mr. Wilde is.
He’s remained in jail and, in addition to the charges for harming Avery, he is also being charged with child abuse and domestic violence.
The attorney my mother hired assured us he will be in prison for a very long time.
Trevor heard what happened before he arrived at school that day and finally decided to tell the truth.
The state assumed custody and found his mother’s grandparents, whom his father had told him were dead, robbing them of years together.
I’ve been calling the social worker every day to see how they’re settling in.
She only tells me the bare minimum, but it’s enough to keep me calm and glad that Trevor and his sisters get to stay together.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” I question as I see Avery fully dressed in her Second Chances T-shirt and skintight jeans.
A mouthwatering sight that leaves me struck dumb for a moment.
Her long brown hair is down and wavy, trailing down her back while tucked behind her ears.
She’s put makeup on for the first time since the hospital, and she takes my breath away every time I look at her.
“Going to work. Isn’t it obvious?” she quips as she points to the name on her shirt, sitting down on the bed and attempting to put her shoes on.
A slight wince crosses her face, stopping my walk away. I rush over and take the shoe from her, opening the top and guiding her foot inside before tying it.
“You know I can do it myself now, the doctor gave me the all clear to resume light activities,” she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest like a petulant child.
“Yes, light activities. He didn’t say you had to return to work. Sharlene said to take all the time you need. Maybe you should take another week,” I plead, putting her other shoe on and tying that lace too. I pat her knees and pull her up to stand with me.
I tuck a piece of hair that has fallen forward behind her ear and cup her cheek, forcing those brilliant blue eyes to look at mine.
“I’m okay, Kane. I want to go back to work, I can’t just keep sitting here being waited on hand and foot.”
“You can, but you’re stubborn,” I chastise her.
“Plus, what am I supposed to do all day while you go to work? I’ll worry myself to death and put a hole in the floor from pacing.
At least at work I can be distracted. I’m sure there’s tons of paperwork to do.
I promise I won’t try to take any of the dogs out myself.
” She gives me the sweetest puppy-dog eyes, and I immediately cave, unable to say no to her when she looks at me like that.
“Fine, but I’m going to be okay, babe. He’s in jail and he’s not getting out. You heard the lawyer,” I say, placing a soft kiss onto her pouty pink lips. I’ll never get over the feel of her lips meeting mine, and I’ll never again take for granted how it feels to hold her in my arms.
I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her flush to me, unable to think about being away from her even for just a few hours, even though I know I need to. It’s time to face the music, even if that means I lose my job. While I love my job and the kids I’ve met, I’ll be okay.
I told Avery about the acceptance letter for a local master’s program I had applied to and how much I wanted it, and all she did was scream and jump into my arms, telling me how proud she was of me.
“I know, I just…” she starts, smoothing her hands up and down my back. The feeling sends shivers down my spine.
“I know, pretty girl. Me too. But I love you, and I’ll see you tonight, okay?” I promise with another kiss to her lips, still unable to detangle myself from this girl—I never want to.
“Okay, okay, go. But call me at lunch, okay? Or when you have any downtime. Maybe just call me a couple times?” she asks with a laugh, knowing how ridiculous she is being, but I’ll do it anyway.
No matter what it is, I’ll make sure she knows I’m okay.
“I love you too,” she finishes, kissing me one more time on the lips before releasing her hold on me.
I reluctantly let her go and take a step back.
She searches for her purse, somehow lost in a pile of clothes that have accumulated on top of the dresser—a reminder to clean up a bit more when I get home.
With one more quick kiss, she takes off out of the bedroom.
I hear her say bye to Morgan, a cheek kiss from both, and the front door slamming on her way out, my heart taking off with her.
I approach the school with trepidation, the gleaming words of South Hill High staring back at me as I ascend the steps to the front entrance, forcing my spine tall and my steps not to falter.
If I close my eyes, all I see is Avery crumbling on the ground, the red spreading over her chest as I try to find the source.
Panic hits my chest, my breath labored as I fight to keep the black from edging into my vision. The panic attack threatens to take me under, my forehead sweating and my pulse racing as I climb the last two steps before the doors are in front of me.
They’ve never looked this large and imposing before, as if they’re dwarfing even my overly tall frame for once. I stare at the door, willing my hand to move and open it.
My phone dings in my back pocket, a distraction that has me blowing out a breath and shaking my hands out in front of me, hoping to release some of the tension that has been building.
I reach into my back pocket and pull it out. The picture of Avery and me calms my heart rate just a bit, reminding me that she’s here, she’s alive, and she’s fine. Not even death can tear us apart now.
Pretty Girl
I’m so proud of you! Go in today and kick ass, can’t wait to see you at home
My heart fills with the warmth I so desperately needed, the panic starting to recede as I give myself time to breathe deeply, not letting my fear control me anymore.
Me
See you at OUR home. I love you
I put my phone in my pocket and shake out any remaining tension. I flex my hands, grip the door frame, and wrench the door open before I lose the nerve.
I step through the threshold and am momentarily blinded by the harsh sun before my eyes adjust to the dimmer lights used throughout the school.
Dawn is the first person I see. She races up out of her chair and around the desk before flying into my arms for a hug.
I grab hold of her and let her gush over me.
She checks me over like a mother would, her tiny five-foot frame somehow making me feel eye to eye with her.
When she sees I’m whole and here, she swats my chest.
“This has been the scariest two weeks of my life! The least you could’ve done is call! How is that angel of yours?” she asks in rapid fire. Her glasses are perched on her head, pushing her graying hair back so her face is clear.
“She’s okay. She’s back at work today too. And we got your fruit basket. Avery sends her thanks.” I soothe her with a warm smile.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. That one is a fighter, you know.”
“She is. I don’t know how I got so lucky,” I reply, smiling at the talk of my favorite person.
The brief distraction eases the tension building inside me.
The area is surprisingly empty, as if Dawn knew I was coming and didn’t want me to be overwhelmed.
The carpet seems to be new, the smell clinging to the air, and my gaze drops right about where Avery fell.
I look around expecting a stain, and the relief that hits me when I realize it’s gone nearly makes me stumble.
“Oh, Kane, maybe it’s too soon. You should go sit down,” Dawn says, fussing over me.
“I’m okay. It’s just a lot to take in at once. Is Principal Danner in already? He wanted me to see him first,” I say, worry lacing my tone.