Chapter 10
ten
AVA
“Ava, this is getting ridiculous. It’s time to come home.” I stare at my phone sitting on the counter, my mother’s voice coming out of the speaker. “We’ve spoken with your brother. We know you’re with him and that you told him you were fired, but you haven’t told him about Brian. So clearly, you’re trying to protect someone here. I just don’t know if it’s yourself from your brother learning what a hussy you are or if it’s to protect us from his wrath about the arranged marriage.”
I produce a very unladylike snort as if I would ever protect them from anyone's wrath. Hearing what my mother thinks of me should elicit some stronger emotion, but as I listen to her unending diatribe, I've gone numb to all of it. Ever since that dinner with Gage and his father two weeks ago, I haven’t been able to feel much of anything when it comes to my mother.
It’s not like I haven’t seen healthy parental relationships before. I have. Caleb, Quinn, and Max's relationship with Scott being a prime example. But something about sitting there that night with Gage and Nick flipped a switch.
There’s no excuse for how my mother has spoken to me over the last month—for selling me off to the highest bidder.
I don't have any proof—and I can't figure out why—but financial gain is the only reason I can see for their drastic actions. Brian's family is extremely wealthy, and I can see my parents pushing hard for this marriage—or, more accurately, this merger of two families. They want the wealth and prestige that will come with their daughter being a Wellsley.
“Either way, you missed Thanksgiving, and we can’t put off the Wellsleys any longer. You need to come home and take your place by Brian’s side. I’ve had enough of this temper tantrum.” I hear the disinterest in her voice, and I can picture her sitting at her desk, working with her assistant sitting across from her—not a care in the world for the pain she’s causing. “Ava. It’s time to come home,” she repeats after a few moments of silence.
I have to wonder if she’s right—about why I still haven’t told Declan the truth. He’s asked about it several times, and I’ve still pushed him off.
I know Declan's relationship with my parents isn’t dependent on this news. He was done with them six years ago when he got divorced. At this point, the only reason he goes home is to see me and his best friend, Ryan.
No, Declan’s relationship with my parents wouldn’t change a bit if he knew about what they were trying to do.
Is there a part of me that thinks he won’t believe me about what Brian did in his office that night? Am I afraid of what he’ll think of me? No, absolutely not.
Declan’s never done anything to make me think he’d look down on me. In our entire lives, hes never once responded in a way that leads me to believe he won't support me with everything he has. And yet, I haven’t told him about that night.
“Ava.” Her tone is sharp now, as if she’s reached her limit.
“I’m not coming home. At least, not right now. I may not be working for the firm anymore, but I do have a case here. I’m going to see that through before I do anything else.”
I look around the kitchen and realize I’m exactly where I was two weeks ago—on the phone with my mother and about to go insane from how stagnant my life has become. But then I realize I’m hundreds of miles from Boston. I don’t have to put up with her crap.
“I have to go.” Without waiting for a response, I hang up. Standing from my seat, I move to the front door and bundle myself up in my coat before grabbing my purse and walking out the door.
Without thinking about it, I find myself walking through the door at Murphy’s, looking for what has become that familiar head of honey-brown hair and set of broad shoulders.
While I haven’t spent any significant time with Gage over the last two weeks, I’ve seen him around town—our exchanges turning flirty, with him inevitably asking me out.
I’ve turned him down every time, but the man is relentless, and that charming smile is making it harder and harder to keep saying no.
It's funny—I mean, not really—how one moment in time can change everything about how you view the world. Maybe not when you’re younger and still learning how the world works, but as an adult, you would think it takes more to shift your entire worldview.
And yet, that night with Brian changed everything.
I’ve heard the stories of those in high places feeling entitled and doling out grossly unwanted attention, but being the subject of that kind of attention from Brian was unexpected, and it broke something inside me.
Prior to that night, I would’ve said yes to a date with Gage in a heartbeat.
Even knowing he isn't the commitment type, I would’ve been up for a night of fun with Gage. I know that in my bones.
But between Brian's advances and my parents’ reaction, something is holding me back. I just can't explain exactly what that something is.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when Gage steps in front of me, that endearing smile stretched across his face. “Look, I know you find me attractive, but stalking might be taking it just a bit too far.” He lifts his hand, his index finger and thumb held slightly apart.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I brush past him, moving toward a seat at the bar. Gage follows close behind. “The Diner and Murphy’s are the only two places open that serve food at this time of night, and unless I want to crash my brother’s date, Murphy’s is the only choice on a Thursday night.” I glance at him and see the teasing gleam in his eye, causing a small smile to grow on my lips.
“So, they’ve finally made it official, have they?” Gage asks, taking the seat next to me.
“Yeah, they have.” And this time, I can’t stop the smile from growing, content in the knowledge that my brother’s found someone worthy of him.
Gage shifts in his seat, turning his body toward me and leaning against the bar. “They seem like a good fit.”
“They do,” I agree.
“Are we feeling another Guinness tonight, my girl?” Walt asks, walking up to us from behind the bar.
And that right there is one of the things I love most about small town living. If you take the time to have a conversation, you can come into a place once, and they’ll remember your order.
“Yeah, that would be good.”
“You want a menu?”
“Nope, I’ll take a plain cheeseburger and fries.”
He chuckles, taps the bar twice, and nods his head. “What about you, deputy? You ready to order?” he asks Gage.
“You know what, I’ll do the same.”
“Coming right up.” He offers the two of us a smile before turning to leave.
“So, do you live at the bar or something?” I turn to look back at Gage. “I feel like this is where I find you more often than not.”
“I could ask the same of you since this is also where I see you most often.”
“If you must know?—”
“I must,” he says in mock seriousness, a smile quickly giving him away.
But that look causes me to smile again, something I find myself doing more and more in his presence. “I’ve been spending some time at the bookstore next door. I’m thinking about taking the open part-time position.”
Gage sits up in his seat, his eyes widen slightly in surprise. “Oh yeah? You thinking about staying in town?”
I shrug. “I’m thinking about it.”
That charming smile is back, aimed directly at me yet again. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“You do, do you?”
“Definitely.” He turns in his seat, facing straight ahead as Walt places my drink in front of me, not sticking around to chat. “Gives me more time to get you to say yes to that date.”
“You still haven’t given up on that one?” I lift the pint, taking a large sip.
“I’m not one to give up on something so easily. Especially something I know could be amazing.” He looks at me, and this time I don’t see that teasing glint in his eye, and that makes me pause.
“You sound pretty sure of that.” My voice is softer than I intend. It’s not hesitance or fear coursing through me, but surprise. I don’t know why. It’s not a new experience, a man showing interest in me. But I guess I always held more confidence in myself than I’ve had as of late. The idea of someone being interested in me while my life is almost entirely in shambles is crazy. How can someone be interested in this mess?
Gage turns back to me, studying me. It’s something I notice he does a lot, watching closely before responding. It’s disconcerting in the moment, being observed so closely, but it’s also comforting, knowing he’s taking the time to really think about what he wants to say. I’ve learned that Gage is the kind of man who uses his words wisely and with great intent.
“Ava, your life might be a mess—and I have a feeling that’s a result of something outside your control—but that doesn’t mean you should put your life on hold until it’s all neat and clean again. Life is all about the messy moments. It’s about how you handle them. I’d just like a front-row seat to see you come out the other side—and maybe help, if you’ll let me.” He shrugs like he hasn’t just offered me a life raft while I’m drowning out at sea.
“Why? You don’t even know me.”
“You’re right. I’ve only scratched the surface of getting to know you. But I get the impression you haven’t let your brother see what I’ve seen. I don’t know why, and I won’t push you to tell me, but everyone should have someone in their corner. Even if they aren’t quite ready to let someone in.”
Walt returns, placing our burgers in front of us. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you.”
Gage gives Walt a small smile. “I’m good. Thanks, Walt.”
Walt turns to leave, and Gage focuses his attention back on me. “When I got discharged from the army, it took me about a month to actually come home. My parents knew I was being discharged, but I lied to them about when it was happening. At the time I couldn't tell you why, but in my head I just couldn't deal with other people while I mourned the loss of not only the friends I fought alongside, but also the life I thought I was going to have.”
“Gage, I don’t—I’m not sure…” I stumble over my words, not sure what to say.
“All I’m trying to say is that I understand the drive to figure it out for yourself, but if I could do that month over again? I would’ve come home. Leaning on someone doesn’t make you weak. We weren’t built to go through this life alone. So don’t force yourself to.”
I swallow and tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m not working at that law firm anymore. I mean, I’m sure you figured that out with me looking at a part-time job at a bookstore in Ashford Falls when I’m supposedly living and working in Boston, but I was fired from the firm, and I’m not even mad about it,” I rush to clarify. “Which is insane, because the reason for it is absolute bullshit, and I should be pissed about it.” I exhale slowly, lowering my voice that I couldn’t stop from rising the longer I spoke. “But I’m just not.” Now it’s my turn to shrug.
I fidget with the napkin in front of me, giving myself a second. Saying this out loud is scarier than I thought it would be, even if I’ve mentioned it to Declan.
“And if I’m being honest, I just don’t know if I want to do it anymore. Practice law, I mean. I only got into it because my parents wanted me to—and I was good at it. But I hate the work I’ve been doing. I feel like a massive sellout, and it’s not who I want to be.”
Gage doesn’t say anything. He just watches me—letting me get it all out.
“Declan knows I was fired, and he knows I’m thinking about doing something else with my life, but I haven’t told him why. I think he’s guessed that our parents pressured me into law, but I’ve never outright told him.” I tuck another piece of hair behind my ear and glance down at the bar in front of me. “I don’t want to disappoint him. He might have gone along with our parents' wishes initially, but he always did his thing on the side. He always went after what he wanted.”
I feel the pressure in my nose and know if I keep going, I’m going to cry, which I’ve done more than enough in front of Gage. “There’s more than that, but I’m not ready to talk about the rest yet.”
“Ava.” His voice is stern but gentle. He doesn’t continue until I bring my eyes to his. “You don’t have to tell me any of it. But I appreciate your trust in what you just gave me. And if you decide you want to give me more, I’ll take it and keep it safe.”
Now it’s my turn to study him. The look in his eyes—the openness and sincerity—has me pausing. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a man look at me like he’s truly invested in me as a human—like he wants to know my inner thoughts and is willing to wait until I’m ready to share them.
“You’re a good man, Gage Flynn.”
“I have my moments, but you make it easy.”
I want to say something, but I don’t know what. Not that it matters. Before I can find the words, Gage smiles. “Plus, I know we’d be good together. I see a lot of fun for the two of us.” He winks. “Now, eat your burger before it gets cold.”
And just like that, the heaviness is lifted. We spend the rest of the night laughing and flirting, leaving when Walt tells us he’s closing up for the night. Gage gives me a ride home, and when he asks me on a date, I almost say yes.