Page 54 of Unexpected Love

“I think I’m going to head home.” I stand from my seat. “I’m sorry about the interruption.”

“Don’t apologize,” Dad says as he stands from the couch, pulling me into a tight hug. “I’m proud of you.”

“You’ll stop by tomorrow before your shift?” Mom asks as she follows Dad’s lead and pulls me into a hug of her own.

“Yeah.” I give her a peck on the cheek and squeeze Dad’s shoulder before moving toward the door.

When I get I home I take a quick shower and climb into bed, but I can’t shut my brain off. I lie there, staring at the ceiling, worrying about Ava, and wondering what the fuck happened with her parents.

It’s four in the morning when I give up and climb out of bed, heading to the basement—my at-home gym—where I fully intend to work out every pent-up emotion I’m feeling. My body will yell at me tomorrow, but I can’t sit still, so this is the best option for me until Ava lets me know she made it home safely.

twenty-two

AVA

Eight hoursafter leaving Harborview behind, I find myself in the same spot I was in two and a half weeks ago, except with shoes on this time.

I don’t think about the fact that Gage’s is the first place I go when I get back to Ashford Falls. I just knock.

He opens the door in a pair of low-slung sweatpants and nothing else. His hair is a little damp, like maybe he’s just gotten out of the shower. There’s worry in his eyes and exhaustion carved across his face, but it’s like it all falls away when he registers it’s me standing on his porch.

“Ava,” he breathes.

“Sorry, I know it’s early, but I just…” I shrug, my words trailing off.

He shakes his head as he reaches for me, pulling me to him in a tight hug. His hold is fierce but somehow gentle at the same time. The last bit of tension finally leaves my body as my arms go around his waist. Sandalwood and sage surround me, letting me take my first easy breath since I left my parents' house.

“You're safe.” It’s said so quietly that I don’t think it’s meant for me, but I still nod my head against him.

“I thought I would stop in Connecticut for a few hours to sleep, but once I started driving, I didn’t want to stop. I just wanted to be home.”

Gage’s hold tightens for a second before he pulls away, his eyes moving over my entire being like he’s checking to make sure I really am okay.

“Sorry, come in.” He moves to the side, giving me space to enter, but his hand falls to my lower back the second I’m in front of him, guiding me into his house. “Let me grab a shirt real quick.” His hand travels the entire expanse of my back and down my arm as he walks away. He only stops touching me when he’s too far.

I barely have time to remove my coat and slip off my boots, and Gage is back within a minute, pulling a shirt over his head and guiding me to the couch.

He winces as he takes the seat next to me, but it’s gone so quickly I think I might have imagined it.

“Will you tell me what happened?” Gage turns his body, lifting one leg onto the couch so his shin runs the length of my thigh. He places one arm along the back of the couch and reaches for my hand with his other, bringing our joined hands to his lap.

The movement causes the sleeve of my sweater to shift, exposing the bruises on my wrist from Brian’s grip. I try to hide them, but I’m not fast enough.

Gage's grip on my hand tightens just enough that I can’t pull away from him, but as he brings his arm from the back of the couch down to push up my sleeve, his touch is gentle.

“You told me you were okay.” His eyes are entirely focused on my wrist, gently turning my hand to get a full view of the bruise. It’s as he turns my hand over that the outline becomesrecognizable. There’s no denying the discoloration is from a hand. “Ava.” His tone is pleading, almost pained. “Did your parents do this?”

I swallow. I don’t want to talk about this, but there’s also no hiding what happened. I know Gage well enough to know he’s fiercely protective of those he cares for, and I have no doubt I somehow fall into that category. If I don’t tell him, he’ll talk to my brother, and I’m definitely not ready to tell Declan.

“Not directly.”

“Ava, talk to me,” he begs. “You have all my extra strength. Whatever you need, you have it. Just talk to me.”

“I don’t know where to start.” My voice is quiet, almost meek, and I hate it. I’m not a meek person. I know what I want and I’m not afraid to go after it, but something happened in Brian’s office, and it altered me. I thought I started getting that piece of me back, but returning to Massachusetts proved it’s still missing.

Gage releases my hand and shifts even closer, his leg now pressed along my thigh. “Start wherever you want, whatever makes the most sense. There’s no rush.”

I study him for a moment, and all I see is understanding in his eyes. There’s no judgment or pity. Gage has always told me I could borrow his strength, and in this moment, I’m truly trusting him to give me everything he has and to help me carry this. I shift in my seat, turning to face him directly. My legs criss-crossing on the couch but still pressed against his. My hands rest in my lap, but I mess with the cuffs of my sweater, pulling them down to cover the bruises.

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