Chapter 28
twenty-eight
GAGE
“I know I don’t have the full story when it comes to you and Ava,” Declan says as he pops the top on a beer and hands it to me where I stand in the living room looking at a painting of Scott on the wall. “But I’m grateful she’s had you to lean on since she’s been here.”
I rub a hand against the back of my neck, glancing in Ava’s direction to see her helping Quinn in the kitchen. I don’t think I’ve seen Ava as relaxed as she is now, and I couldn’t be happier she’s finding her peace again.
“I don’t think it’s my place to tell you that story,” I say, turning back to Declan.
He shakes his head. “No. And I’m not asking you. I’m just saying thank you for taking care of my sister.”
“She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”
“I know. But it’s nice knowing she doesn’t have to.”
Like a scene out of a romance movie, we both turn to watch Quinn and Ava laughing in the kitchen, and neither of us can stop the smiles that grow across our faces.
My smile doesn’t last, though. I turn back to Declan and lower my voice, trying to make sure we aren’t heard—not yet at least.
“You were right about your parents not leaving town. I saw them checking in at The Ashford Lodge this afternoon.”
Declan continues staring at the woman in the kitchen, but his eyebrows draw in, telling me he heard me. It takes him a minute, but eventually he moves to sit on the couch, motioning for me to do the same.
He sits on the edge of his seat, his elbows resting against his knees, messing with the label on his beer bottle when he starts speaking. “I’ve never understood—especially with who my grandparents were and how they raised him—but for some reason, my father has this picture in his head of what our family must look like. It’s like, because he’s part of Harborview’s founding family, we have to check these specific societal boxes, and if we don’t we’re a failure. A failure for what? I have no idea.”
Declan takes a moment and looks back into the kitchen. “I had to fight tooth and nail for them to agree to let me pursue my art, and it was only after I sold my first piece that they started to listen.” His eyes come back to mine. “When I told them about my divorce, they were so angry with me. The things they said are something a child should never hear from their parent—regardless of their age.”
“I wish I could say that doesn’t shock me, but from what Ava’s told me…” I let my words trail off. It doesn’t feel necessary to retell the story Ava did this morning.
“I know what they tried to pressure me into and why they did it, but this seems too far—even for them. If it were just about the perception of Ava being married to a successful man, they could find someone else. It has to be about Brian or the Wellsleys, specifically. I just don’t know what.”
“Ava said they're a pretty wealthy family. Could it be about the money?”
“I mean, anything’s possible, but my parents aren’t hurting for money either. They’re pretty well off.”
“As far as you know. But you haven’t really been involved in their lives for the last five years.”
“I’d be shocked if they could blow through all their money. But…” His words trail off.
Before either of us can say anything else, Ava and Quinn move into the living room, Quinn falling into the seat next to Declan. “What are you two talking about in here?” she asks as she grabs Declan’s beer and steals a quick sip.
I sit back in my seat, placing my hand on Ava’s thigh as she takes the space next to me. “I saw your parents and Brian checking in at The Ashford Lodge this afternoon,” I tell her softly.
“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” she questions quietly.
“I knew we would talk about it now, and I didn’t want to worry you twice.”
Ava studies me for a minute before pressing a quick peck to my cheek and turning to her brother. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know. That’s what I was just telling Gage. If it were just about looks, they could find someone else with the same societal standing. Add in the fact that it was decided when you were a baby…” He shakes his head, leaving the sentence unfinished.
“What I don’t understand is why they waited until now,” Quinn says. “I mean, Brian’s thirty-eight, right? And he’s made a big deal about needing a son?” She looks between all of us. “Again, if it were about perception, isn’t it strange for Brian to have waited so long to have kids?”
“Maybe,” Declan admits. “But, you could argue that he compromised and agreed to let Ava establish herself in her career before getting married and having kids.”
“But would the picture of a working mom be appropriate for your parents? Not just a working mom, but a successful lawyer?” I ask
“Ugh,” Ava grunts in frustration. She stands from her seat and begins pacing the room. “It doesn’t really matter why. All that matters is making them realize I’m done doing what they want. I’m done being manipulated.”
I stand from my seat, gently pulling her into my arms when I see the tears welling in her eyes. “Figuring out why they’re pushing can help us figure out how to make them stop.”
“I just want to live my own life. However I see fit,” she mumbles into my chest.
“I know,” I whisper in her ear.
“We’re going to figure this out,” Declan offers as he stands from his seat. “I won’t let them force you into something you don’t want.”
Ava doesn’t pull away from me, but she turns her head to see her brother. “I know you won’t.”
“Come on. Dinner’s ready. Let’s go eat,” Quinn says a few minutes later when the silence becomes too loud.
Ava pulls out of my embrace but doesn’t immediately follow Quinn and Declan into the kitchen.
I lift my hand to cup her cheek, my thumb wiping under her eye. “What do you need?” I ask quietly.
Her eyes shut, and she sighs. “I just want them to go away.”
“I know, Rebel.” I press a kiss to her forehead, resting there until she pulls away. She gives me a small smile before joining Quinn and Declan at the table.
I watch Ava as she takes the seat across from her brother, and I can’t help but hate her parents for what they’re putting their children through.
My gut tells me it has to be about money. Most people’s motivations in life are love or money. If love were driving her parents, they would be listening to her about the kind of man Brian is. The fact that they aren’t…well, it could be something else, but my gut tells me it’s not.
I wanted so badly to hurt that man this morning, but, somehow, I kept myself in check. Next time, though? I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. The idea of him being in the same state as Ava makes me sick to my stomach. In the same town as her? I don't want to take my eyes off her.
I'm not sure I'm ready to face what that means. I can see myself falling for Ava Day, and the thought terrifies me.
Shaking myself from my thoughts, I join everyone at the table, sitting next to Ava and across from Quinn. They’ve already moved onto brighter topics, and I try to join them. I try like hell to stop thinking about all the reasons her parents and Brian won’t take no for an answer.
A few hours later, I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling with Ava curled into me. There’s a peace in me at the feel of her pressed against my side, knowing she’s safe where she is right now. But another part of me worries about what happens when she’s no longer by my side. What happens tomorrow when we’re both at work? Her parents and Brian are staying in town for a reason; they aren’t done trying to talk to her. Will they ambush her at work? Will Brian try to hurt her again?
“Promise me you’ll call if you need me,” I say into the darkness.
I feel Ava shift against me as she lifts her head, but it’s so dark in the room neither of us can see much of anything. “What do you mean?”
“Just, if something happens, if your parents or Brian show up at the bookstore or somewhere else, and you don’t feel safe, promise you’ll call me.”
“Oh.” Ava rests her head back on my chest, her arm around me squeezing lightly. “I called you all the way from Harborview when I needed you.”
“I know.” I bend my head, pressing my lips against the top of hers and taking a deep breath. Apple and vanilla fill my nose, bringing another wave of comfort over me. “I just…I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me. I won’t stop living my life, but I’ll be smart. I won’t go anywhere alone, and I’ll be mindful of my surroundings.”
“And you’ll call me if you need me.”
“And I’ll call you if I need you,” she repeats, turning her head to place a kiss over my heart. “Thank you for worrying about me.”
“Of course I worry about you.” I squeeze her. “You’re important to me.”
“You’re important to me, too. More than I thought possible.” She shifts again, moving her body up my side slightly so she can press a kiss to my cheek. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”
“Oh, you’re more than worth it.” I roll to my side, keeping her in my arms. I can’t see her clearly in the dark, but I can see enough to know she’s studying me.
“How did we end up here? When neither of us was open to something real?” she whispers as she brings her fingers up to trace the side of my face—starting at my forehead and working her way down to my chin.
“Hmm…my mother would say it’s because we weren’t looking for it that we found it.”
“But neither of us has ever really looked for anything serious.”
“I don’t know, Rebel. All I know is that I don’t want to give this up.” I pause for a second, trying to decide if I should give it all to her. It’s not a lie if I stop there, but at the same time, is it true honesty if I hold it in? I know I’m giving her the power to hurt me, but I trust she won’t.
“I’ve never felt at peace the way I do when I’m with you.” I roll again so she’s beneath me, my hips cradled by her legs. “Have I told you that I haven’t needed an alarm clock since before I got home from the army? I always set my alarm, but it hasn’t actually gone off once in the last three years. Not until this morning.”
“I’ve never been as comfortable with someone else as I am with you—not even Declan. I feel like I can tell you anything, and you won’t judge me.”
“I won’t,” I whisper.
“I don’t know how we got here, but I’m thankful we did. I don’t know if I believe in fate or a higher power, but being here in this town and with you might make me believe.”
And in this moment, I fall in love with Ava Day. I won’t tell her—not yet. There’s no way she’s ready to hear those words, but I’ll show her every day for as long as she’ll let me.
Starting right now.
I bring my lips to hers and kiss her like she’s my salvation. Like I can’t live without her. And I wonder: have I really been living, or have I simply been surviving? Just going through the motions up until she entered my life.
I don’t know, but I won’t waste time thinking about it. Not when she’s here and not when she makes me feel like this—like my life just got a hundred times better with her in it.
Yeah, this might make me believe in something bigger than us, too.