Page 90 of Unexpected Love

“I’ll be okay.” She pulls back to see my face.

“I know.” I rest my hand against her neck, my thumb brushing her jaw gently. “I’ll just feel better knowing you’re not alone.”

She doesn’t answer; she simply moves to her toes to press a tender kiss to my lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I kiss her one more time and wipe the lone tear that manages to fall down her cheek before we both move to exit Lyle’s office.

I shouldn’t be surprised by the crowd standing outside, but I am. I knew Declan and Quinn would be here, and I’m not surprised Caleb, Emily, and Abbey are here, considering they were at the bar. But to see my parents, Scott, and Walt has me momentarily stunned.

“What are you all doing here?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“Did you really think we wouldn’t be here to support you?” Dad steps forward, pulling me into a hug.

“No. I just…who called you?”

“I did,” Ava says. “I didn’t want them to hear about it anywhere else. Plus, I wanted them to be able to prepare your siblings in case someone said something to them. I didn’t tell them to come down here, though.”

I pull her back into my side, kissing her temple to hide the bout of emotion I feel welling inside.

Swallowing, I turn back to everyone gathered. “Thank you, but you all didn’t need to stick around.”

“It’s bullshit what’s happening here,” Declan growls. “I’ll talk to my parents. Get them to?—”

“No,” I interrupt, reaching for his shoulder. “Just keep an eye on your sister for me. I know she can take care of herself,” I say, releasing Declan and looking down at Ava. “But it doesn’t hurt to have someone to lean on.”

Declan steps forward, pulling me into a tight hug. “Thank you for loving her like you do,” he whispers in my ear. The words are gruff and filled with so much emotion that I swallow back a lump in my throat.

Stepping back, I give everyone else a tight smile before turning to Ava, cupping her face in my hands. “I love you, and I know you’ve seen this before, but I don’t want you to see me get arrested.”

Ava opens her mouth to argue, but the pleading look in my eye stops her. “Okay.”

“I’ll see you Monday.”

“I love you.”

“I love you more than you know.” I press a soft kiss to her lips and let her go.

Ava, being the strong woman she is, holds her head high as she walks out the door, Declan and Quinn right behind her.

“I need you all to go, too,” I tell everyone else still standing around.

“We’ll take care of her till you’re able.” Scott offers me a quick handshake before ushering Caleb and Emily out the door.

“If I knew who he was, I never would have let him in the bar.”

“I know that, Walt. None of this is your fault, and no one blames you.”

“Just…let me know if you need anything.”

I nod and watch him and Abbey follow everyone else out the door—leaving my parents.

“I love you, Gage, and I respect that you don’t want me to see this, but you’re my son, and I’m damn proud of you.” Mom’s words get choked up, and she turns to look at my dad, swallowing thickly before she brings her eyes back to mine. “Like hell am I leaving you here.”

“Mom, you can’t stay here all weekend.”

“Well, if that’s how long you’ll be here, then yes, I can.”

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