Page 88 of Pretty Relentless

At least I know I still affect her the way she does me.

“This isn’t over,” I insist. When she nods, I add, “Not by a long shot, Ava. We’re going to get through this together.”

“Okay,” she whispers.

“The only reason I’m letting you go is because kidnapping is illegal in Wisconsin.”

The corner of her mouth ticks. “I’m pretty sure it’s illegal in all states.”

“I’m not going to force you to stay, even though I want to. I want you to stay and come up with a game plan with me. I want to go to school with you tomorrow and face every single one of the people who dare to say a cross word to you or look at you in a way they shouldn’t. This fight, if there is one, isn’t just about you. I’m involved too, but even if I wasn’t, I’d still be right here, waiting for you. So, go home and take the time you need to process what’s happening, but know I’m here. I’m always right here.”

She relaxes and nods. “Thank you, Gavin. For everything.” She goes up on her tiptoes and presses a chaste kiss to my lips once more. I want to take control, to deepen the kiss and show her exactly what she means to me, but I don’t.

I let her walk out the door.

Helping her into her vehicle, I open the garage door she had just pulled into a short time ago and watch her back out of my driveway. I stand there even after she drives away, wishing she’d come back so we can deal with the fallout of those photos together.

With a loud exhale, I lock everything up and head back inside. My heart aches for her, at the hurt reflected in her eyes as I told her what was found online. It hurts for another reason too. One I wasn’t expecting.

I had told her I loved her.

But she didn’t tell me back.

The pain in my chest just continues to grow. Something tells me, it won’t get better until she’s by my side once more. By my side and in my arms.

Time to put a plan together.

Time to show her exactly how I feel.

Time to let the whole world know she’s mine.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ava

I manage to hold it together until I get home. The moment I pull into my garage and park my vehicle, the waterworks start and don’t stop.

This is exactly why I didn’t want anyone to know I was seeing Gavin. This is why I fought the attraction to him in the beginning. I knew this could blow up in my face, as it has.

I know if that old photo of me hadn’t been posted, then me seeing Gavin wouldn’t be a problem. I wouldn’t have the rule about not getting involved with the dad of one of my students and we wouldn’t have had to hide. Yet, here I am, reliving one of the worst times in my life, professionally, because more photos have appeared of me on social media.

I know I need to talk to the superintendent. I need to tell him about the photos before he hears about them from some of the people against the idea of me dating a student’s father. But I also need to see the post. I didn’t think to ask Gavin to see it, which clearly he did. I’m assuming someone sent it to him, most likely Max, since he’s the one who found it and called.

God, I can’t believe I’m the subject of drama.

Again.

This is exactly what I’ve been trying to avoid. This is what I was afraid of happening.

But then I picture Gavin’s handsome, smiling face, and all I want to do is run straight back over there and let him hold me in his arms. I know he wanted me to stay with him, to figure this out together, but I needed space. I needed time to breathe.I need to figure out how I’m going to talk to my bosses and do damage control on my reputation.

Boy, that thing has sure taken a beating these last few years.

My phone keeps chiming with unread texts and ringing, but I ignore them for now. I’m certain it’s my friends, having heard about or seen the latest post about me. Grabbing my phone, I fire off a text Gavin.

Me:Are you able to send me copies of what’s posted online?

He replies right away.

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