CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Aussie leaned back in the creaky armchair in the team’s rec room, the familiar hum of the heating system doing little to ease his restless mind. He rubbed a hand over his face, his exhaustion more emotional than physical. Sleep had been elusive after last night’s disaster, and the pit in his stomach hadn’t eased since Ava had walked away, hurt and angry, thinking he’d betrayed her.
He had tried to text her the moment he got home, typing and retyping a message that he hoped would get her to hear him out.
As of a few minutes ago, the text remained unread. A tiny “delivered” icon mocked him every time he checked his phone. He’d debated calling her, but something about the way she had turned her back on him made him hesitate. Ava didn’t walk away unless she was deeply hurt, and he hated that he was the one who caused it.
He had met with Derek earlier that morning to go over the details from the night before. Aussie and Agent Price had managed to strike up conversations with several of the individuals on the Bureau’s radar. The men had been polite, careful, and annoyingly vague, offering nothing that set off alarm bells.
Still, something about the night didn’t sit right. While none of the conversations screamed “criminal activity” to Aussie, hearing Ava’s name on more than one occasion had irked him.
“She’s something special,” one of the men had said, his tone laced with admiration. “Smart, gorgeous. A real catch.”
Another man, clearly a bit too drunk, had smirked and leaned toward Jarod, adding, “And you let her go? Dumb move, buddy. I’d never make that mistake.”
Aussie had to stifle a laugh at the way Jarod’s face had tightened in barely concealed irritation. It felt good knowing Ava had told these men she was seeing someone, even if it was up in the air, what she thought about that now.
But the casual mention of Ava’s name among these men left him unsettled. Was it harmless admiration, or was there something more behind it?
When he’d brought it up with Derek, he had been direct about everything, including the fallout with Ava. Derek had listened intently, his expression thoughtful.
“Give her some time,” Derek had said after a long pause. “Then find a moment to sit her down and explain everything. She’s smart, Aussie. She’ll see the truth once the dust settles.”
“I don’t know if she’ll want to hear it,” Aussie admitted, his voice low.
“She will,” Derek said with quiet confidence. “And if you need help setting it up, you know I’ve got your back.”
The offer had meant more to Aussie than he could say, but it still didn’t make the weight in his chest any lighter.
Now, as he sat there, the silence of the space pressed down on him. The TV was off, and the usual banter from the team was absent. He felt out of place in his own sanctuary.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and he looked up to see Bear, Joker, and Playboy stride in. They’d been planning a day at the range, and from the looks on their faces, they hadn’t been expecting to find him sitting there moping.
“Whoa, Aussie,” Bear said, eyebrows raised. “You look like hell. Everything okay?”
Aussie gave a weak smile, though he knew it didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t even know where to begin,” he admitted as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
Playboy leaned against a locker, crossing his arms. “We’ve got time. Spill it.”
Aussie took a deep breath and explained everything that happened, including the part where he was pretty sure Ava was going to ask him to attend the gala with her.
When he finished, Bear’s face softened with understanding. “Man, that’s rough. I can only imagine what she thought.”
Aussie nodded. “Oh, she thought exactly what you’re imagining.”
“I’m assuming that you’ve tried to reach out to her,” Joker added.
“Yeah, but she isn’t answering.”
The guys exchanged sympathetic looks, each of them clearly understanding the complications of a job that sometimes required secrecy, even with the people closest to them.
Joker shook his head. “That’s a tough break, Aussie. You were just doing your job, but sometimes it can feel like you’re on the wrong side of things, especially with the people you care about. And we all know how you feel about Ava.”
Aussie felt a pang in his chest and nodded. “Yeah. The hardest part was seeing how she looked at me. It was like I’d betrayed her.”
Playboy stepped forward, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Look, if there’s one thing I know about Ava, it’s that she’s smart and very understanding. She’ll understand once you explain. Just keep reaching out to her. She’ll see the truth if you keep at it.”
Joker joined in with a firm nod. “Playboy’s right. This is a tough situation, but once she hears what actually went down, she’ll understand. She’s been around us long enough to know the job can be complicated.”
Aussie looked between his friends, grateful for their support. “I appreciate it, guys. I just don’t want to lose her over a situation I couldn’t control.”
Bear gave him a reassuring nod. “You’ll figure it out, man. You’ve got all of us behind you.”
“Thanks,” Aussie said, meaning it. He felt a little steadier, the weight of their support helping him cope. The pain of Ava’s misunderstanding was still raw, but he felt more determined than ever to set things right.
Aussie’s thoughts shifted, his heart catching at the idea of spending the holidays with Ava and Christian. Before last night, he’d actually been considering not going home, instead spending it here and inviting Ava and Christian to join him. They’d started feeling like family—a family he was excited to be part of. But now he wasn’t so sure he’d have the chance.
◆◆◆
It was difficult for Ava to pull herself out of bed. But she was determined to get past her heartache and move on with life.
After showering and getting ready, she told Christian that she and him were going to spend the day together, which he was very excited about.
She wanted a full day with Christian, one filled with laughter and lots of memories, especially after everything that happened the night before. Her heart felt a little heavier than usual, but she was determined to set aside her pain for his sake.
Their first stop was the indoor mini golf course, decked out with neon lights and decorated with over-the-top winter themes. They each took turns at different obstacles, laughing as they made their way through the course. Christian, with his competitive streak, kept challenging her to beat his score. Ava felt herself relax as they made a game out of trying to “trick shot” around the obstacles, both of them laughing every time the ball ricocheted off the barriers.
Next up was an escape room, something Christian had been excited to try. As they entered the room, he dove right into puzzle-solving mode.They found themselves in a “Pirate’s Cove” scenario, hunting for clues to escape a fictional shipwreck. Christian was clever, and he’d noticed clues Ava had missed entirely. Their teamwork paid off as they unlocked the final door with just seconds left on the clock. They high-fived each other, and Ava couldn’t help but feel a burst of pride for him.
As they walked out, Christian glanced around, a thoughtful look on his face. “There’s actually one thing I’ve always wanted to do around Christmas,” he said, his voice quiet.
Ava looked at him curiously. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
He glanced down at his shoes. “I’ve always wanted to pick an angel off a Christmas Angel tree. You know, where you pick a name and get gifts for a kid who is in need.”
Ava felt a rush of warmth and admiration for him. Even with everything uncertain in his life, his heart was big enough to think about making Christmas special for someone else. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“That’s an amazing idea, Christian. Let’s do it.”
He looked up at her, his eyes lighting up. Ava’s heart swelled with love for this boy—no, her boy. She realized at that moment that her feelings went beyond the care of a foster parent. She loved Christian, truly, like a mother loves a son. But the thought of him leaving after the holidays made her chest tighten. She’d have to talk with her friend, Judge Holten, to see what her options were. She didn’t want to lose him.
They finally found an Angel tree at a nearby shopping center, and Christian carefully examined each of the cards. He picked one for an eight-year-old boy named Jackson. Then, his face lit up with excitement as he turned to Ava. “Look, he has a twin sister! Can we find her card too?”
Ava smiled. “Of course! Let’s make sure we get both of them.”
They sifted through the cards until they found Jackson’s twin sister, Julie. Christian’s face beamed with happiness, and they made their way to the nearby stores to get everything on the kids’ wish lists. They gathered clothes, shoes, a science experiment kit, a skateboard, and some video games for Jackson, while for Julie, they found a pair of sparkly sneakers, a pink scooter, an art set, and a soccer ball. Ava couldn’t help but smile as she watched Christian’s enthusiasm as they went from aisle to aisle, his focus completely on making the twins’ Christmas perfect.
By the end of the day, they were both exhausted but starving. Christian’s eyes lit up as he remembered something. “There’s this place, Bayside. I’ve heard some people talk about it, but I’ve never been.”
Ava smiled, curious herself. “I’ve heard of it too, but I’ve never gone either. Let’s check it out.”
When they pulled into the parking lot, she was a bit skeptical. The outside looked rundown, with peeling paint and faded signage. She glanced over at Christian, who looked just as uncertain.
“Well, I mean, people rave about the food,” Christian offered, a small grin on his face.
Ava chuckled. “You know what? You’re right. Let’s give it a shot. If we don’t like it, we can always leave.”
When they stepped inside, Ava was pleasantly surprised. The decor was a blend of Chesapeake Bay charm and military tribute, with vintage ship wheels, model boats, and old photos of service members on the walls. The restaurant was bustling for a Sunday evening.
Christian spotted a booth in the back with a view of the water, and they quickly claimed it.
As they settled in and the waitress took their drink order, Ava’s phone buzzed, and she quickly silenced it. Aussie’s name flashed across the screen, her stomach twisting.
Christian gave her a puzzled look. “That’s, like, the fourth time you’ve done that today. What’s going on?”
Ava hesitated. She thought she’d been discreet, but clearly, Christian had noticed. She’d been avoiding thoughts of Aussie all day, but now, she couldn’t keep it to herself.
Mustering up all the mental strength she had, she took a deep breath.
“Last night, I ran into Aussie,” she said slowly, choosing her words. “And he was with someone else.”
“What do you mean he was with someone else? Like one of his teammates?”
Her heart broke more, having to explain this. “No. He was there with another woman. He was on a date.”
Christian’s face fell, confusion and hurt flickering across his expression. “Wait, what? I don’t get it. He said he was busy with work.”
“That’s what he told me.” Ava tried to keep her voice steady.
Christian’s fists clenched slightly, his jaw tight. “No way, Ava. There’s got to be another reason. Aussie’s not like that. He wouldn’t do that to you.”
Her heart softened at his loyalty, but she knew too well how people could deceive. “I understand why you want to think that, but sometimes people aren’t who we think they are.”
Christian looked at her, pain etched across his face. “So, what are you going to do?”
She took a deep breath. “I’m going to keep doing what I’ve always done, Christian. I just keep moving forward. It’s all I can do.”
Christian was quiet, mulling it over. Finally, he looked back at her, a determined glint in his eye. “I think you should hear him out. I know I’m young, but maybe there’s an explanation. Then you can decide.”
Ava let his words sink in, touched by his wisdom beyond his years. She realized that maybe, just maybe, he was right. “You might have a point,” she admitted, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “I’ll think about it.”
The waitress returned with their drinks, and Christian grinned as he launched into a new topic, eager to chat about Christmas and school. Ava let the tension ease, feeling a new kind of peace settle in. For tonight, she’d let herself just enjoy their time together. And later, when she was ready, she’d decide what to do about Aussie.
Ava wanted to moan as she took a hearty bite of her French dip sandwich, savoring the warmth of the juicy beef with the melted cheese and tangy au jus. Across from her, Christian grinned as he bit into his massive cheeseburger, trying to hold everything together as the layers of tomato, lettuce, and melted cheddar nearly slipped out.
Everything she had heard about this place was spot on. The food was absolutely delicious. Not to mention the staff was very friendly. She also noticed that there were a lot of military personnel coming in to either grab a bite to eat or hang out.
“Christian,” Ava began, smiling, “I’m so proud of you for wanting to pick those two kids off the Angel Tree. You didn’t even hesitate. Not a lot of people your age think about others like that.”
Christian shrugged, cheeks pinking a bit. “I don’t know. I guess I know what it feels like to feel forgotten. And those kids probably have it worse than me. I wanted to help.”
Ava’s chest ached, touched by his sincerity but saddened by the reminder of what he’d been through. “You’re a good person, Christian. Really. And whatever happens in the future, you deserve to know that.”
He nodded but kept his gaze on his food. “We never really did holidays in my foster homes,” he admitted, his tone light but distant. “They were mostly focused on the younger kids. And, you know, I was okay with it. I got used to it.”
Ava’s heart squeezed, and she reached across the table, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “This year’s going to be different,” she said firmly. “We’re going to do it right. I mean, we already got the tree. Now, we need to think about baking and decorating cookies, and we will need some wrapping paper to wrap all those wonderful gifts that you picked out for Jackson and Julie. I was also thinking that when Christmas gets a little closer and most people have their decorations up, we could drive around and look at all the lights.”
Christian brightened, a hopeful smile breaking through as he took another bite of his burger. Just as they were talking about all the Christmas things they could do together, Ava heard a voice behind her.
“Ava! Christian! Funny seeing you two here.”
Ava turned to see Clover, Jocelyn, and Gabby approaching their table. All three of them looked thrilled to see her and Christian. Clover had that usual sparkle in her eyes, Jocelyn wore a warm smile, and Gabby’s hand was already on her hip, playfully inquisitive.
“Hi!” Ava said, surprised to see them.
“What have you guys been up to today?” Clover asked, eyes darting between Ava and Christian with an excited energy. Ava felt a twinge in her stomach. She was pretty sure that none of them knew about what had happened last night with Aussie.
“Ava and I spent the day together!” Christian said, looking excited. “We went and played mini-golf and did an escape room. Then we went shopping. Ava, let me pick out some gifts for some kids from an Angel Tree. They were twins.”
“That sounds wonderful!” Jocelyn said.
“It was,” Ava replied, forcing a cheerful tone. “So, what brings you three in here?”
“Oh, we come here all the time. This is like the hang for the guys. Well, for a lot of military and first responders.”
“Really?” Ava asked.
“Yep. It’s a little hidden treasure here in Virginia Beach. Mostly, only locals know about it. Plus, they have some of the most amazing food.”
Ava smiled. “I’ll agree with you about the food. This sandwich is delicious.”
“You know, Ava, I never got a chance to thank you for helping Aussie and Nails last week with the kids. Or maybe I should say rescuing Nails. According to Aussie, I heard both you and Christian got a good laugh at Nails’ expense. Hell, I still find myself laughing when I think about it,” Jocelyn said laughingly.
Ava grinned at the memory of that day. It was fun. Well, until the end, when Aussie had lied to her.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Gabby asked.
When Ava looked up, all three women were looking at her with concerned expressions.
“What do you mean?” Ava asked, looking at the three women.
“You looked lost there for a moment. Like you were sad,” Clover said, a frown on her face.
Ugh! Ava really didn’t want to get into her and Aussie’s situation, but she had a feeling that these women weren’t going to back down. Hell, they were probably better interrogators than their men.
She shared a quick glance with Christian, seeing a shared uncertainty in his eyes.
Clover tilted her head, catching on to the silent exchange. “Okay, what’s going on?” she asked.
Ava swallowed, glancing at the three women, each of them waiting for her answer. She took a deep breath, deciding to come clean. They would find out sooner or later.
“Umm..things with Aussie and I are a bit complicated right now,” she admitted, feeling a tad bit embarrassed.
All three ladies exchanged glances, surprised and concerned.
“What happened?” Gabby asked gently, placing a hand on Ava’s shoulder.
Ava took a breath and told them about how she had asked Aussie about his plans for last night, and he told her that he had a work thing.
“Anyway, last night I was at the Snowball, and well…I ran into Aussie there.”
“You did?” Gabby questioned, her nose was scrunched up.
“Yeah. And he wasn’t alone. He was with another woman.”
Clover’s mouth dropped open. “No. Way. Are you serious?”
Jocelyn’s brows knitted together. “Did he say anything to you when you saw him?”
“He tried, but I was too upset, so I left,” Ava explained, trying to keep her voice steady. She was quiet for a few seconds, thinking about about that exact moment when she saw the other woman. “She was beautiful,” Ava whispered, looking at the women.
Gabby’s eyes narrowed, a mix of sympathy and confusion. “I don’t get it. Aussie doesn’t seem like the type to do something like that.”
Clover crossed her arms, visibly upset. “He told you he had a work thing, and then he shows up with another woman? That doesn’t sound right.”
Before Ava could answer, Christian spoke up, his voice steady and clear. “That’s what I told her, too. I think there has to be an explanation. Aussie wouldn’t do that. I know he wouldn’t.”
Gabby nodded, supporting Christian. “Ava, maybe it’s worth hearing what he has to say.”
Clover, however, still looked like she was about to march out and confront Aussie herself. “I don’t like it, though. He owes you an explanation, no question about it.”
The three women looked at her with earnest eyes, urging her to at least give Aussie a chance to explain. They promised her that no matter what, she and Christian were still part of their group.
Ava offered a faint smile. “Thank you. Right now, I just want to focus on enjoying the holidays with Christian.”
“Well, if you need anything or just want to talk, you have our numbers,” Jocelyn said.
Ava nodded, grateful for their support but unsure if she’d truly she would ever call them. It was nice to know they’d be there if she needed them, but they didn’t understand that being around them would make her think of Aussie, and thinking about him made her heart hurt. At least, right now, it did. Maybe that would change with time.