Page 28 of Aussie
Aussie was up before she could take a step, grabbing a few dishes and following her to the kitchen. As they set the plates by the sink, Ava felt Aussie’s hand snake around her waist. He gently pulled her close, his touch firm yet tender, and she felt her breath catch.
She looked up at him, her heart pounding as his gaze softened, and he spoke in a low voice. “I can’t wait any longer.”
Then he leaned down, his lips brushing hers, and Ava’s mind went blissfully blank. Caught off guard, she froze for a second, but deep down, she knew this was exactly what she wanted. She kissed him back, warmth and electricity flooding her senses.
But just as quickly as the moment started, it was over. She heard voices in the hallway as others started bringing in their dishes. Aussie released her, stepping back smoothly before anyone noticed, but not before he shot her a grin, his gorgeous hazel eyes glinting with mischief. He winked and leaned in close one last time, whispering, “This isn’t the last kiss. Not by a long shot.”
Ava bit her lip to hold back a smile, her face flushed as she returned to the table. And as she settled back into her seat, she realized with certainty that she couldn’t wait for that next kiss.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The following day, Aussie took Christian to the shooting range. Aussie stood beside Christian, nodding as he examined the teen’s posture as he got into position, aiming the rifle downrange.
They’d been there for a while, and Christian was a fast learner, picking up on Aussie’s instructions with the determination of someone who wanted to do well. But Aussie knew the kid had a ways to go before he was truly comfortable with the weapon.
“Alright,” Aussie said, moving closer and resting his hand lightly on Christian’s shoulder. “Remember, keep your feet shoulder-width apart. You want a solid stance, or that recoil’s gonna mess with your aim.” He gave a short, approving nod as Christian followed his direction. “Good. Now, keep that grip firm, but don’t choke it. Nice and steady, yeah?”
Christian nodded, adjusting his grip and aiming down the sights with concentration. He fired a few rounds, and Aussie could see he was improving, the shots landing closer to the center.
“Much better,” Aussie said, a hint of pride in his tone. “You’ve got good instincts. Just a little more practice, and you’ll be grouping shots like a pro.”
Christian smiled, clearly pleased with the compliment, but his expression shifted as he lowered the weapon and glanced over at Aussie. “Do you like Ava?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
The question caught Aussie a bit off guard, but took it in stride, smiling slightly. “Of course, I like her. Who wouldn’t? he replied.”
Christian looked thoughtful. “No. I mean, really like her.”
Aussie felt his chest tighten a bit, wondering where Christian was going with the line of questioning.
Yeah,” he admitted, his voice low and sincere. “I do. Ava has got something rare about her. She’s strong, smart, and she’s got this heart that doesn’t quit.” He paused, feeling his words. “I’d like to get to know her more. I think she’s someone that anyone would be lucky to have in their life, you know?”
Christian looked down, the toe of his shoe scuffing against the ground as he absorbed Aussie’s words. “I do know,” he murmured, and there was a soft vulnerability in his tone that didn’t go unnoticed.
Aussie noticed Christian’s gaze drift toward the target as he hesitated before speaking again. “I know she’s good to you,” Aussie said quietly. “You care about her, don’t you?”
Christian shrugged, his face betraying emotions he was trying to suppress. “Yeah. I guess more than anyone else I’ve known.” He hesitated, then continued, “She’s the first grown-up who actually believes in me. Listens to me, you know? Not just to tell me what I’m doing wrong but to really hear me.”
Aussie’s heart ached as he listened. He’d suspected Christian’s life hadn’t been easy, but hearing him talk about Ava like that made it clear just how much she meant to him. He kept his tone gentle as he spoke. “Sounds like she’s made a big difference for you.”
“Yeah,” Christian said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But she’s just keeping me for the holidays, Aussie. After that, I’ll be put back in the system. I don’t even know where I’ll end up. I care for Ava so much. She’s like my real parent. But I’m scared to get attached, knowing that in a few weeks, it will all be gone.”
Aussie watched him, seeing the fear and uncertainty in his eyes, and he felt a pang of protectiveness for the kid. “That’s tough. And it makes sense to feel that way. But don’t sell yourself short. Ava wouldn’t have taken you in if she didn’t care about you, and she’s the kind of person who sticks with people she cares about.”
Christian took a deep breath, glancing over at Aussie. “I just… I just wish I could stay with her. It’s like, for the first time, I feel like someone’s giving me a shot. Like she sees something in me that no one else bothered to look for.”
Aussie’s heart felt heavier with each word Christian said, understanding how deeply he was affected by the fear of losing the one steady, caring presence he’d known. He reached over, resting a reassuring hand on Christian’s shoulder. “Ava sees a lot in you, Christian. And from where I’m standing, you’re someone worth sticking around for.”
Christian looked at him, searching his face for something that reassured him, something that made him feel less alone.
Aussie’s phone buzzed, and he pulled it from his pocket to see a message from Ava.
Ava:Hey, what time are you bringing Christian home? There’s no rush. I just need to run a few errands and wanted to make sure I’d be back when you got here.
He smiled, typing back.
Aussie:We’ll be about two more hours.
Putting his phone away, he turned back to Christian with a warm smile. “No hurry to head back just yet. How about we put in a bit more practice, yeah?”
