Chapter 20
twenty
AVA
Getting on the plane to fly back to Boston was harder than I thought it would be—not because of everything going on with Declan and Quinn. No, that worked itself out pretty quickly.
After my breakfast with Quinn at The Diner Quinn went home to talk with her dad before showing up at my brother’s door, exactly like I said she would. I ended up staying the night at Caleb and Emily’s so they could have their privacy, and by Sunday morning at Scott’s it was like there had never been a hiccup between them.
Seeing the love in both of their eyes—even with all they went through with Tyler the night before—was a sight to see. Honestly, it made me a little jealous of the connection they had. I wanted that for myself, though I still wasn’t confident I would get it. But going back to Harborview was step one in opening the door to that possibility.
No, getting on the plane was harder for a multitude of reasons: I wanted to be in Ashford Falls for Christmas with my brother and the Marks family. I definitely didn’t want to see my parents. I still haven’t spoken with my mother since our last conversation, and no matter how much my dad swears I won’t have to see or talk about Brian, I don’t completely trust his word.
Then there’s the conversation with Gage.
I may have only known him for a little over a month, but I think it’s safe to call us friends. I’m not willing to call us lovers —even if that title technically fits. And acquaintances feels too impersonal, which definitely doesn’t fit. There isn’t a lot more personal you could get with a person than sex.
And even though our text exchanges turned flirty and were filled with our normal banter, something felt off with Gage. It could have been the case with Tyler’s mom—it’s never easy dealing with child abuse—but I’d been concerned about his response to me before anything happened with Tyler. Something happened between me leaving his house Friday morning and Declan and me getting home from the courthouse. I just have no idea what.
I want to ask him about it but don’t know if it’s appropriate. He’s quickly becoming the person I want to talk to about everything. Somehow, I trust he’ll hold that information until I’m ready to share it with Declan. I trust that he’ll give me that strength he talked about, supporting me in whatever way I need. And at the moment, I just need a sounding board, someone to truly hear me and listen without judgment.
While I might trust Gage, I’m not sure he feels the same way—though I think he might. And if I’m being honest with myself, I want to be close to offer my support if he does decide to trust me with whatever’s bothering him.
Only three more days until I can go home.
And that thought has me stumbling over myself as I descend the stairs to the foyer at my parents’ house.
Massachusetts isn’t home anymore. Ashford Falls is.
“What’s that smile for?” my father asks as he meets me at the bottom of the stairs.
It’s their annual Christmas Eve party, where they invite all their friends and colleagues to the house. I’ve never understood the purpose other than to show off their status. Why exactly they feel the need to show off to these people they call “friends” I’ll never know. But I agreed to be here, so here I am.
“It’s nothing,” I say as he leans down to press a kiss to my cheek. I know it’s only for appearances that he’s being affectionate. Guests are already milling around, and it wouldn’t look good if the Day family wasn’t affectionate with each other. We wouldn’t want anyone to think there’s tension between us. That isn’t a good look.
Neither of my parents have acknowledged me since I walked in their door a few hours ago to get ready for the party. For the last two days, I’ve been packing up my apartment in Boston and officially breaking my lease with the landlord. I still haven’t told my parents about my plans, but tomorrow should be soon enough.
“You look beautiful,” Dad says as he takes my hand and wraps it around his arm, guiding me into the formal sitting room where I’m sure my mother is greeting guests as they arrive.
“Thank you.”
I decided on a simple vintage-style, velvet sheath dress in a deep forest green for this evening. The top has a faux wrap style, creating a low v-neckline and there’s a slit going up the front center of the dress that allows my legs to peak out as we walk. It’s simple but comfortable and elegant enough to make my parents happy.
“Gregory, there you are,” my mother says, taking his hand and pulling him to her side once we’re close enough.
Looking at the two of them together now, with their smiles and bright eyes, you would never know the hurt they’ve caused me and my brother. I can see the fakeness behind them, but their so-called friends eat it up.
Say what you will about my parents, but they make a fine-looking couple.
Even at sixty, my father still has a lean and athletic build. His hair, a distinguished grey color, is kept short and styled back to stay off his face. Most people would say he has a rugged appearance due to his high cheekbones and strong jawline, but most would also say he has an approachable manner.
A stranger would likely talk about my mother's striking beauty and poise. Like my father, she has high cheekbones and a defined jawline, though her eyes are bright blue whereas his are hazel. Most would say she’s elegant, with a slender build giving her a graceful demeanor. And at fifty-eight, while she dyes her hair to cover the white, very few fine wrinkles scatter her face.
They’re dressed like a couple walking the red carpet tonight—my father in a Tom Ford tux and my mother in an A-line, black Marc Jacobs dress. They look like the power couple they are.
“Ava, darling.” My mother reaches for me, taking both my hands in hers, squeezing tight and pulling me in to kiss both my cheeks. The smile on her face as I pull away has never been more fake. “I’m glad you’re home.”
I offer her a polite smile but say nothing. Now is definitely not the time to tell them I’m moving to Ashford Falls. They hated when my brother did it and I wouldn’t be surprised if they disown me when I tell them I’m doing it, too.
I stand with my parents as they greet their guests, smiling and saying all the right things but desperately counting down the seconds until I can slip away unnoticed.
While I’ve never been the biggest fan of these parties, I’ve never been as miserable as I am now. Maybe it’s because this is the first one where Declan isn’t standing by my side, but part of me knows it’s more than that.
Until everything happened with Brian and my parents, I’d been content with my life. But since going to Ashford Falls and finally making decisions for me and no one else, I realize I was just going through the motions. I wasn’t completely happy now, but I was much closer to it than I was before I left Massachusetts.
I was excited to go home and start this new adventure. I was going to take Scott’s advice and try new things. I wasn’t sure what I would try exactly, but there were so many options. I could go ice skating—something I hadn’t done since I was a kid. Or maybe I could pick up crocheting or knitting. I could try painting like Declan, or maybe I could try a different art medium like pottery. Yoga, baking, rollerblading, gardening! There are so many things I could try, and I’m going to make a point of doing just that.
“Martha! Paul!” My mother’s voice brings me back to the present.
My eyes immediately shift to my father, who swore the Wellsleys wouldn’t be in attendance this evening. This might not be Brian, but it is his parents.
Before my father can say anything, my mother’s voice breaks through my thoughts again. “Brian, I’m so glad you could make it back from Chicago in time.” She presents her cheek for him to kiss.
“How could I miss my future mother-in-law’s annual Christmas party?”
I glare at my father for a moment longer, realizing too late that this was yet another manipulation from him. “Excuse me,” I say, pushing past everyone to get as far away from the Wellsleys and my parents as I possibly can.
“Ava.” My father’s voice is quiet but harsh as he reaches for my wrist before I make it far. “You will stay right here and do what is required of you,” he says directly in my ear.
I suppress the shiver that wants to course through my body at the feel of his breath on my skin and turn to look at him. I wanted so badly to believe that at least one of my parents would support me, that at least one of them believed me. Except, I don’t think it’s about them not believing me. I think they do believe me, they just don’t care, which might be worse.
“No.” I straighten my spine and pull my wrist from my father’s grip. “I was going to wait until tomorrow to tell you, but now seems as good a time as any. I’m moving to Ashford Falls. Immediately.”
I don’t wait for their response. I turn and rush back up the stairs to grab the few things I brought here with me. There’s no way I’m staying here for the rest of this party. My car is already packed with what I want from Boston. If I head to my apartment in town now and pack quickly, I could be in the car and on my way back to Ashford Falls tonight. I might have to stop for a quick nap, but it’s only a seven-hour drive. If I push myself, I can be home in time to spend Christmas with the people that really matter.
I don’t give myself time to think about any of it. I grab my coat and bag from my room and take the back stairs to the kitchen. I parked my car around back so I could leave whenever I wanted. I knew I didn’t want to be trapped here, and in this moment, I’m so grateful I did.
I’m almost to my car when I see the shadow leaning against it, and the shiver I held back earlier runs up my spine. I start to turn back for the house, hoping he’ll give up waiting for me and head back inside himself, but he sees me before I have a chance. No matter what I do, he’ll find a way to corner me.
“What do you want?” My voice is firmer than I thought it would be. I never wanted to see Brian again after that night in his office, but to be alone with him? I can feel my body shaking at the thought of what he almost did and I’m terrified of what he might do now.
“We’ve already had this conversation, and you took longer than one week to return.” Brian pushes off my car, stalking toward me. “My patience is wearing thin. And it was thin before you started throwing this tantrum.” His voice is harsh, anger slicing through every word.
I take a step back but stumble over the gravel beneath my heels. Brian reaches for me, his hands gripping my upper arms tightly, and I hiss in pain. I have no doubt I’ll have bruises there in the morning.
“No wife of mine will disobey me,” he growls.
“Good thing I’m not your wife.” I try to pull out of his grasp, but his grip only tightens, making me gasp.
“Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?” He shakes me, pulling me in tight to his chest. “Apparently, you’re in need of a lesson,” he whispers in my ear.
Brian spins me, pinning my front to the side of my car. My wrists bound in one of his hands, his grip tight and unyielding. I try with all my might to pull away from him, but with his body pressed against mine, his leverage is too strong.
“Brian, don’t do this,” I plead.
He grinds his hips against me, forcing me to feel his hardening length against my ass. “Please keep begging. It makes me so hard,” he moans in my ear.
I struggle against him, his grip on my wrists getting harder. “Just let me go.” I keep my voice steady even though that’s the last thing I feel.
I can’t believe this is happening to me again. I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this. The likelihood of someone stumbling upon us is slim. The party is in the front of the house, and with the music playing, no one will hear me.
His hand not holding my wrists slides up the side of my body, ghosting the side of my breast before cutting across. It’s just as his fingers are slipping under the v-neck of my dress to my bare nipple that the sound of voices stops him in his tracks.
His moment of distraction gives me exactly what I need—space. Without thinking, I lift my heeled foot and stomp with all my might right on his, making him fall away from me in pain.
I don’t wait. I grab my purse from the ground, jump into my car and lock the doors, speeding away from the house as quickly as I can, only stopping when I make it to my apartment in town.
It’s not till I’m in my apartment that I register what I just escaped. It’s at that realization the dam breaks, and I fall to the floor just inside the door.
I want out of this dress and a shower more than anything. I want his touch washed away from me. I want his words wiped away from my mind.
I don’t know why I do it, but I dig through my purse and find my phone. Pulling it out, I find my texts and pull up my most recent exchange.
Tell me something good.