Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
ALY
Isit on my favorite bench with my eyes closed, concentrating on my breathing while I listen to the sounds of the glorious nature around me.
I count to six as I breathe deeply in and then slowly exhale out, letting my whole body flow with that breath for eight seconds.
I open my eyes and take in the most breathtaking view of Radnor Lake.
Not many people know about my love for this park and how I have a special spot here.
I’ve been coming here since I was sixteen, this being the only place I can find refuge in when life turns sad, stressful, or ugly.
This bench has absorbed many of my tears, and I deem it my own little sanctuary.
Time seems to stand still here, and although I know I haven’t been here long, it feels like hours.
I shut off my phone after I told Shane what happened and knew I needed peace and quiet.
Being here, breathing in the fresh air, and being surrounded by nature helps clear my mind so I can reflect rationally on what transpired today.
After the initial shock of it all wore off, I was able to replay the entire scene back in my head.
I technically don’t know if Gavin really cheated on me with Tori, since I didn’t physically see him.
Just because he was taking a shower doesn’t mean anything happened between them.
Gavin doesn’t seem to be the kind of man who goes chasing skirts every time he and his significant other have a fight.
Especially getting back together with the person he claims he despises.
He loves you, Aly. You know he wouldn’t do that to you, my heart screams at me, but how do you explain Tori being in his apartment?
Gavin’s the only one who knows the truth, and there’s only one way to find out.
I reach into my purse and pull out my phone.
I turn the phone back on and take a couple more deep breaths while I wait for it to reboot.
I keep the phone on vibrate, so its notifications don’t disturb the quietness of nature.
After a couple more moments, I look at my phone to see missed calls and texts messages from Shane and Sosie.
At first, I’m disappointed to see there’s nothing from Gavin, but then my heart starts to race while reading the missed texts.
I smile through tears of happiness as both Shane and Sosie tell me what Tori did and how it was all a misunderstanding.
A new text appears from Shane while I finish reading his old ones.
Shane: Don’t be mad at me. He’s coming for you, baby girl. I love you!
I would never be mad at Shane for telling Gavin where to find me, because if Shane’s willing to give up that information, then that only means he believes Gavin is innocent.
Just like I knew he was.
A calming peace comes over me as I realize everything is going to be okay. This is just a bump in our journey together. We’ll have more, but as long as we stick together, we’ll always come out stronger.
I sit alone for a little bit longer until I hear the sounds of footsteps coming closer to me.
I don’t have to look to know it’s Gavin, because my body is buzzing with that familiar anticipation.
I keep my gaze straight ahead until he’s standing before me.
He kneels down so that we’re eye-to-eye, his hands covering mine, and we stay that way while we stare into each other’s souls.
I start taking snapshots of him in my mind, hoping to never forget the beauty of this moment with the lake behind him and love radiating from his eyes at me.
“Baby.” His voice starts off gruff, and he clears his throat to start over.
“Darlin’, I’m so sorry about everything that happened today.
” He starts rubbing his hands over mine, and I briefly close my eyes to bask in their warmth.
“I hope you know I would never in a million years disrespect you by being with someone else while we’re together.
What you saw today was Tori breaking into my apartment and her letting you believe we had sex. ”
I open my eyes back up to look at him. His eyes pleading with me to accept his apology. I gently place the tips of my fingers over his mouth, not needing him to say another word about it.
“I believe you,” I whisper.
He closes his eyes and moans in relief before kissing my fingers. I move my hand away from his mouth and lightly caress his cheeks and jawline. He opens his eyes and leans his head into my hand.
“I know you would never betray me, baby, and I’m sorry for my hotheaded reaction this morning. I promise to work on not letting my past dictate us in the future, but, darlin’, you didn’t have to quit your job to prove yourself to me.”
“You’re worth it, Gavin. I would quit it a thousand times over if it eliminates any doubts you have about me.” I look tenderly into his eyes and can see how sorry he truly is.
“I have zero doubts about you, Alyson. You’re my fucking everything. You’ve become part of my heartbeat, and knowing I caused you so much pain today has wrecked me.”
His words cause my breath to hitch. I grab his face and kiss him with everything I have. “I love you so much, Gavin,” I pant in between kisses, his tongue assaulting my senses like it always does.
He looks me in the eyes as he says, “And I love you, Aly.” He kisses me one more time and decides to sit down on the bench, demanding I get up to sit on his lap. I sit across his lap, with my legs out in front of me on the bench, and we hold each other while we look out at the lake.
“So, what’s next?” I ask after sitting in compatible silence for a while.
He takes a strand of my hair and wraps it behind my ear before kissing the tip of my nose.
“We go to the police station to file a report and press charges against Tori. We will also be requesting a restraining order.” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but I’m beyond happy he’s going to take action against her.
“Once that’s taken care of, we pack up my place and I become a permanent resident of your house.
” I raise an eyebrow at his bossiness, and he gives me a sheepish smile, with that dimple I so love popping out. “That is, if it’s okay with you?”
I kiss his dimple and rest my forehead against his. “What are we waiting for?” I ask with a smile. I get up from his lap and hold out my hand.
He chuckles as he stands up and laces his fingers through mine. We walk hand in hand back to our cars, ready to start the next chapter of us.