Page 21 of Aussie
“Hey, you’re Christian, right?” Barrett called out, his tone deceptively casual as they neared.
“Yeah,” Christian replied, straightening up. Every instinct was telling him that this was not going to be a friendly chat. He forced a neutral expression, trying to hide the unease that curled in his gut.
“What are you doing out here alone?” Chase asked.
“Waiting for my ride.”
Barrett and Chase exchanged glances before stepping in closer. Christian’s pulse quickened. They were too close. The kind of close that made it clear they weren’t here for small talk.
“You know, we’ve been watching you,” Barrett said, his voice low, almost threatening. “You’re all alone, no family. No one to really watch your back.”
Chase nodded, crossing his arms. “Yeah, man. It must be tough. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can make things a whole lot easier for you.”
Christian’s throat tightened. He knew where this was going, and he didn’t want any part of it. His life was finally looking up, and he wasn’t about to screw it up by getting involved with these guys. He shifted his feet, his mind racing for a way out. “I’m good,” he said, keeping his voice firm. “I don’t need any help.”
Barrett chuckled darkly and stepped even closer, so close Christian could smell the faint scent of cigarettes on his breath. “It’s not about what you want, Christian. You’ve been targeted, and if you don’t choose wisely, our boss is gonna make your life really difficult. You don’t wanna make him mad.”
Christian clenched his fists, the threat hanging heavy in the air between them. He wasn’t scared of these two, but the idea of someone bigger pulling the strings, someone who could make his life a living hell? That rattled him. But he wasn’t about to let them know that. “I’m not interested,” he repeated, stepping back, his eyes darting to the street, hoping to see Ava’s car.
As if on cue, her little black SUV pulled up to the curb. Christian felt a surge of relief but kept his expression steady. He didn’t want Barrett or Chase to think he was running to her for protection. Ava’s eyes flicked toward the two boys, concern clear in her expression even from a distance. She had the same look she always had when something didn’t sit right with her—brows slightly furrowed and her lips pressed together in a thin line.
“I gotta go,” Christian said firmly, stepping away from Barrett. “Leave me alone.”
Barrett’s smile vanished, his eyes narrowing as Christian turned on his heel and walked toward Ava’s car. “This ain’t over,” Barrett called after him, but Christian didn’t turn back. He could feel their eyes boring into his back, making his skin prickle.
He opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat, his heart still racing. Ava glanced at him, her voice calm but laced with worry. “Who were those guys?”
Christian hesitated, the truth clawing at the back of his throat. He didn’t want to lie to Ava, but he also didn’t want to make her worry. He was supposed to be responsible and show her that he could handle things on his own. “Just some guys from school,” he said, keeping his tone light. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
Ava didn’t look convinced, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel as she glanced in the rearview mirror, watching the two boys retreat into the parking lot. “Christian…”
He could tell she wasn’t buying it completely, but after a moment, she let it go, starting the car and pulling away from the school. As they drove home, Christian stared out the window, his mind replaying the conversation with Barrett and Chase. Their words echoed in his head—targeted, our boss, make your life difficult.
Ava had given him a chance, a real chance at a better life, and he wasn’t going to screw it up. He couldn’t let those guys drag him down, not when everything was finally going right. He wasn’t a little kid anymore—he could handle it. He’d figure out a way to get Barrett and Chase off his back without bringing Ava into it.
But as they drove through the quiet streets, Christian couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t going to be the last time he’d see them. He glanced over at Ava, who was focused on the road, her expression still tense.
I won’t let them ruin this for me,he thought firmly.I won’t disappoint her. I’ll handle it.
CHAPTER NINE
Aussie stood at the shooting range with his team, the distant crack of gunfire filling the air as they all took turns at the targets. His hands rested on his rifle, but his mind was far from the steel barrels and steady trigger pulls. Ever since last week’s dinner with Ava and Christian, they had been all he could think about. The quiet conversation, the easy laughter, and the genuine connection he felt. It had all left a mark. He’d enjoyed himself more than he had in a long time, and now, a week later, he found himself itching to see them again.
Thanksgiving was coming up fast, and all he could think about was how Ava had admitted she usually spent the holidays alone. The thought of her and Christian sitting at home with just the two of them tugged at something deep inside him. It didn’t feel right. They deserved to be surrounded by people who cared about them.
“Hey, Aussie!” Bear’s voice cut through his thoughts, and Aussie blinked, snapping back to the present. Bear stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his brow raised in question. “You’ve been standing there like a statue for five minutes. What’s going on with you?”
The rest of the team paused, turning their attention toward him. Aussie shrugged, trying to shake off the cloud of thoughts. “Nothing, just thinking.”
“Yeah, we can see that.” Bear grinned, handing his weapon to one of the guys. “You never get that quiet unless something’s eating at you. Spill it.”
Aussie exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to find the right words. “It’s nothing major. I’ve been thinkingabout Thanksgiving, about how Ava and Christian are probably gonna spend it alone.”
A murmur went around the group, the guys shifting their weight as they listened. Everyone on the team knew what it was like to have each other's backs, especially during the holidays. No one ever got left behind.
Bear narrowed his eyes. “Why don’t you invite them to dinner at our place? I mean, Jocelyn’s already prepping for an army. What’s two more people?”
Aussie froze, a spark of hope lighting up inside him. He hadn’t even considered it until Bear said something, but now that the idea was there, it seemed perfect. “Are you sure Jocelyn wouldn’t mind?”
