Page 63 of Moonshot

Reaching the top of the steps, I turn to him for one last glance before heading to the bath.Trust me, Mick. I’m already yours.

Mick

This last week was a little rough. I decide to show Ava how much I respect her decision for this thirty-day think session by giving us both some space. Having told her how I feel about her and holding her in my arms for a few short moments has helped.

She’s so brave. Dealing with the headaches and facing the world with no one the wiser. I would’ve had no idea how bad things have been. Then to know your father left your mother for the very same reason. No wonder she wants to make sure I’m all in. Especially after the way I abandoned her.Fuck. Just like he did.

Our conversation had hit a chord with me. In all the years I’d been angry about Paula’s betrayal, I never considered the impact of my dad’s departure on my romantic life. The thought had briefly crossed my mind at the ballfield, talking to Emmaleigh. But until the other night, I hadn’t allowed myself to go there. His walking away without looking back had a huge impact on me.

I never wanted my mother to see how much it affected me. She had enough to worry with. I’d cry myself to sleep when I was young but make sure to hide my hurt when she was around. I’ve never had close relationships with anyone but my immediate family and Zach. In hindsight, my relationship with Paula was only skin-deep. She was pretty and didn’t seem terribly clingy or needy. I think I knew I didn’t have it in me to give that to someone who could potentially walk out on me.

Even my friendships are superficial. Zach has always felt more like a big brother. Maybe because I think of him like family, I’ve allowed myself to let him in more. I know Mom and Emmaleigh would never betray me. As hard as I try, I still keep some distance with Rob. But my stepdad has been more of a father to me than mine ever was. I need to work on that. Let him in more.

I know we only dated a very short while before I ghosted Ava. But I think I was courting her each and every time I visited her office. She just didn’t know it. I’ve been falling for her for over a year. And there’s no fighting the way I feel about her. Telling her I love her was completely different than sharing that with my family or Paula. When I’m with Ava, I want to shout it from the rooftops. There’s a feeling of being home when we’re together.

Part of this newfound feeling of love is making me overprotective. It’s not possessive, like the feeling I had when Trevor told me she was at the club with a man. And I know she doesn’t need me to be this way. She’s taken care of herself long before I came along. But I want to look out for her. Make sure she’s safe.

I’d approached Joanie during a visit to the office, sharing my concerns about Dr. Stark’s inappropriate behavior with Ava. I don’t want my girl to have any extra stress knowing I’ve talked to the office staff about this, so I’ve tried to keep this between Joanie and myself. I know Allison’s there if I need to include her, but it’s not my place. Yet.

Dr. Stark’s unpleasant, unprofessional treatment of Ava is bad enough, but the touching and getting into her personal space has to stop. I asked Joanie to pay a little more attention to the activities in the office moving forward and text me if anything’s happening that’s causing Ava to struggle more than necessary. It’s not lost on me that Joanie’s no fan of Joseph Stark, so I think I can count on her.

Lying back against the pillows of my bed in the Hampton Inn in Salem, Virginia, I decide to do some research. Opening my laptop, I begin to look into chronic migraines, therapies, preventative treatment. Anything I can do to help Ava. Once this next week passes, I’ll ask her to include me when she’s feeling bad. Let me know how I can help. I need her to know I’m not going anywhere.

* * *

Coming out of my last clinic visit before lunch, I decide to grab a bite to eat before calling on the next office.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

“Hello?”

“Michael?”

“Yes.”

“It’s Joanie. At Central Orthopedics.”

Sitting taller in my seat, I feel my heart rate pick up. “Of course, Joanie. Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure. Poor Ava’s been suffering from this headache for almost a week. But this one seems different. She honestly should’ve called out sick, but Dr. Stark has been on a tear lately, and I don’t think she wanted to invite that wrath, so she just pushed through. But I’m worried about her.”

Fuck. “Joanie, I’ll cancel my next appointment, but it’ll probably take me three hours to get back there. What time does the office close for the day?”

“We’re usually wrapped up by 4:30, but Dr. Stark’s been piling a lot on Ava lately with his frequent absences from the office. Between you, me, and the lamp post, I think he’s going through a divorce.”

Shit. That won’t bode well for Ava either. Not only will he be a bear to be around, he already didn’t have any boundaries with touching her when he was married. What will he be like now? “Joanie, I’m on the way. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Be careful, Michael. It won’t help Ava if you get yourself into an accident.”

She’s right. I need to keep that at the forefront of my mind as I head back so I don’t get arrested or killed trying to drive back like a bat out of hell.

* * *

“Hey, Joanie. Where is she?” I blurt as I approach the window in the orthopedic office waiting room.

“Come on through, Mick. She’s in her office. I’m glad you made it okay.”

Practically sprinting down the hallway, my heart in my throat at how I’ll find her, I hear someone shouting as I get closer to the door.

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