Chapter Twenty-Four

Gavin

"Hi, Daddy," Annabelle says the moment I answer the phone.

"Hello, my beautiful daughter. How was school?" I ask, sitting in my recliner while I wait for Ava to get here. She had to stay after school for a bit today, which delayed her arrival for dinner. So, I'm showered up and ready to go when she gets here.

"It was good. Miss Rutledge tripped over a desk leg though and almost fell."

My heart skips a beat. "She did? Is she okay?"

"Yeah," Annabelle replies with a little giggle. "She was giggling afterward. She caught herself on the desk in front of the one she tripped over."

"Hmm," I reply, already making a plan to give her a massage later. "Anything else exciting happen at school?"

"Well, David dropped his lunch tray in his lap and had to wear wet pants until his mom could bring him another pair."

"That sucks," I reply.

"And we got to have extra recess time in the gym because the internet went out and Miss Rutledge couldn't print the math worksheet."

"I was always in favor of extra recess," I confess.

"How was work?" she asks.

"Good. Max and I finished up the floor in Logan's cabin. Tomorrow we get to start framing up an addition."

"Did you give his girlfriend back her sweater?"

My mind tries to figure out what in the hell she's talking about, and when it finally comes up with the memory. "Oh, yeah. All taken care of."

Ava was mortified when I told her about the whole sweater drama, how my daughter found it in the laundry and then took it over to my mom's to give it back to her. I never asked Annabelle how and why she took it out of my closet because I didn't want to give Annabelle another opportunity to put the whole thing under a microscope, but I wanted to. It was a reminder she's a bit nosier and more observant than she used to be.

We chat for a few more minutes before she has to go to help set the table for dinner. "Get your homework done after dinner," I say, even though I know I don't need to.

"I will. Mike will be in the living room playing video games, so I'll hang out in my room," she informs me.

I don't have anything against Mike, Julia's boyfriend, but he seems to be making himself right at home. "All right, well, have a good evening."

"I will, Dad. Love you."

"Love you more, Belle."

We hang up, and no sooner do I set my phone down on the armrest of the chair does it chime with a text.

Ava: Just now leaving. I offered to help gather some information for a grant the library is presenting at the board meeting on Wednesday night. Heading home now and then will be over.

Gavin: No rush. Take your time. I'll be here, waiting. Naked.

Ava: And that's supposed to cause me not to rush?

Gavin: Be safe. My nakedness will be here when you arrive.

Ava: On my way.

I jump up and stretch, taking a look around the living room. I'm anxious to have Ava back in my space. When she showed up at Logan's cabin yesterday, we never made it here. She watched me work for a bit, then we ate some of the leftover food she had with her. Finally, I sent her home when I was picking up my tools to head home because she was exhausted. I suggested she just go home and get a good night's sleep.

Heading to the kitchen, I check on the homemade pizzas I prepped and have ready to go in the oven, but I don't want to put them in quite yet. I'll give it another ten or fifteen minutes before I start to bake them, and if they're not done when she arrives, I'll use the free minutes as a time to steal a few kisses.

My phone rings from the living room, and I quickly retrieve it. My first thought is something's up with Ava, maybe her car or at her house. So when I see my employee, Max's, name on the screen, I relax just a bit.

"Hey, man, what's up?" I ask in way of greeting.

"Hey, sorry to bother you, but I wanted to make you aware of something."

"Shoot," I reply, reaching for the remote and turning on the TV. We won't necessarily watch it, but maybe we can find a movie to have on in the background while we eat.

"Uhhh, there's some pictures online."

The moment his words register, I stop. "What pictures?"

He hesitates before replying, "Pics of you and what looks like Ava Rutledge." Blood starts to swoosh in my ears, and I almost miss what he's saying. "At least that's who the post says it is."

"What post? Where?"

"Facebook. There's this group someone in Pine Village created, and lots of people share news, pictures, and event details there. Sometimes you get the occasional Karen in there bitching about something like the roads not being plowed enough to their liking or the chicken at the diner being drier than normal. Shit like that."

"Get to the point," I state with a little too much bite behind my words. It's not directed at Max, just at the fact I want to know what the hell he's talking about.

"Sorry, you can make anonymous posts, and someone posted some pictures. It says they were taken yesterday and it's you and Ava. You're standing on Logan's porch at the cabin and have your arms around her. You're clearly kissing in the first couple pics, and then you're holding hands and walking inside the cabin in the fourth photo."

I can see it, because I lived it. Yesterday, when she arrived at the cabin, the first thing I did when she stepped up on the porch was take her in my arms and kiss the hell out of her. I'd been craving those lips, her body pressed against mine, for too long. I didn't even stop to see if someone was nearby. Yes, I knew there were people nearby, snowmobiling and ice fishing, but I was so focused on Ava, I ignored everything and everyone who could have been around us.

"Who posted?"

"I don't know, man. It's anonymous."

"That's bullshit. Someone posts something like that, they should be required to use their damn name," I argue.

"I don't disagree, Gavin."

For the first time, I regret not having that damn social media app on my phone so I can see what's going on. "What does it say?"

"It says, ‘Guess who was caught together on Sunday? Gavin Pierson and Ava Rutledge were busted sneaking into Logan Johnson's cabin. Clearly this teacher has problems and shouldn't be around kids. First, promoting underaged drinking, and now sleeping with a student's father? Our kids deserve better than this.'"

My heart is pounding so hard in my chest, I'm sure Max can hear it through the phone line. "Fuck."

"Is it true? Are you seeing Ava?"

I swallow hard. My first thought is to deny, since that's what I've been doing this whole time. Deny, deflect, and lie. Keep it under wraps.

But now, with these photos and the fact they're calling for Ava's job…again, I realize I can't keep quiet. Not because I don't want to, but simply because I won't let her face the firing squad of Pine Village alone.

Fuck that.

"Yeah, I am."

"Cool. She seems like a great woman. I remember you drooling over her last summer at the bar. Glad you finally made a move," he teases lightly, but with the weight of everything else parading through my head, I don't have the ability to joke back.

I rub my forehead. "I don't know anything about that app, man. So, everyone in there can see it? Are they replying, or whatever?"

He pauses a few moments before replying. "Yeah, there are comments. Quite a few, considering it was just posted about an hour ago. Looks like there are a lot of people who think the post is tasteless and gross, but…yeah. There are a handful of people who aren't saying very nice stuff about you two."

I couldn't give two shits about me. What I can't stand is anyone saying crap about Ava. She's an amazing human and an even better teacher, and I'm damn lucky to have her in my life. "This blows. I can't believe it's posted anonymously."

"It's bullshit, man. But you know how this town is. Eventually, it'll come out. Everyone talks."

I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. "She's on her way over here. I'm gonna have to tell her."

"Yeah, I would, because by the number of comments on the photos, everyone in the city limits will know by morning."

"Can you screenshot it for me?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll send them right over."

"Thanks, Max."

"For what it's worth, I'm happy for you. I've noticed something different with you these last few weeks, and I hope she's that change. You're calmer and smile a lot more."

I don't reply, not really knowing what to say. She is the reason I've changed, and yes, all for the better. She makes me want to be a better man.

"I'll let you go. See you tomorrow?" he asks.

"Yeah. See you in the morning."

When I hang up, I stand here and just stare off into space. This is bad. Well, not bad , but definitely not ideal. Ava won't like this at all, and I have to be careful how I tell her. The last thing I want is for her to run scared out of my life, because, frankly, that's not an option.

A life without Ava isn't one I want to consider living.

I've fallen head over heels in love with her. We have to figure out how to get through this.

Together.

By the time she's pulling into my driveway, I still have no clue how to tell her what's going on. I scanned the images and post Max sent me, clearly posted by some nosy asshole who needs to mind their own business. This is one of the worst parts about living in a small town. People can't keep their noses out of everyone else's stuff.

I slip on my shoes and head out the back door to meet her. She's putting her car in the garage, and as I walk to the side door, I can't help but look around. Are my neighbors watching right now? Are they taking photos, preparing to post them and show the world we are, in fact, sneaking around?

"Hi," she greets with a big smile the moment she starts to climb out of her vehicle.

I admit, the happiness on her face almost makes all the other bullshit fade away. Almost. "Hey," I reply, taking her in my arms and kissing her lips.

She tastes like mint and honey, and all I want to do is get lost in her for hours on end. Unfortunately, that's not what can happen right now. We have some things to discuss tonight, because I'm certain Max is right and everyone in town will know by morning.

"Come on, let's get inside." I take her hand and lead her out the door, up the back steps, and into my house.

She takes off her sensible shoes and hangs her coat on one of the hooks at my back door. "What smells so good?" she asks as we walk to the kitchen.

I run my hand over the back of my neck, nervously. "Uhh, that's a candle wax warmer thingy with some sort of vanilla cookie melt in it. We're having pizza, and I meant to throw it in the oven when you were on your way, but I…got distracted."

She gives me a cheeky grin, clearly assuming I'm referring to something sexual, especially when her brown eyes take a slow, leisurely stroll down my body, landing on my groin. When she meets my gaze again, she must sense my hesitancy and uneasiness. "What's wrong?"

"Come in the living room with me," I suggest, reaching for her hand. "We have something to talk about."

She's clearly nervous but slips her hand inside mine and walks with me to the couch. "You're starting to freak me out a little," she finally says.

I take a deep breath and, while still holding her hand in mine, decide to rip off the Band-Aid. "Some photos were posted on social media today."

She looks confused. "Photos? Of who?"

"Us."

Clearly, by the look on her face, she wasn't expecting that. "Us? How? When?"

"They're pictures of you and me at Logan's cabin yesterday. Kissing on the porch and then walking into the cabin together."

Her wide eyes stare back at me, and I can read the fear, confusion, and sadness within. "Why would someone post pictures of us?"

"I don't know," I tell her honestly. "And we don't know who posted them because they're posted anonymously."

"How is that possible?" she asks, her voice getting smaller and smaller as the conversation continues.

"I don't know, but Max said you can post in groups without anyone knowing who the original poster is."

"Max? Max knows?"

I slowly nod my head. "Yeah, Max knows. He saw them and called me." Swallowing over the massive lump in my throat, I add, "A lot of people know. The photos have quite a few comments."

Her complexion grows increasingly pale as she watches me, trying to process what I'm telling her. "Can you…" She pauses and clears her throat. "Did he tell you what they're saying? In the comments?"

Fuck, this is hard, because I know I'm about to crush her.

"Yeah," I say gently, stroking my thumb over her knuckles as I continue to hold her hand. "A lot of the comments are very supportive of you. Of us."

She nods slowly. "But not all of the comments," she deduces, understanding where this is going.

"No, not all of them."

Her eyes fill with tears. "What are they saying?"

"It doesn't matter," I quickly state.

"But it does matter, Gavin. This is my job, my livelihood."

"I know it is, sweetheart, which is why I'm telling you right away."

"Then tell me what else they're saying," she insists, even though she knows it's going to hurt.

My mouth opens, but the words don't come yet. I know what I'm about to tell her will hurt, and fuck if I want to be the guy who crushes her.

"Tell me," she insists, lifting her chin.

"They accused you of being a real problem, first with the underaged drinking photo and now by sneaking around with one of your student's dads."

She closes her eyes, but I briefly saw the moment my words hit their mark. The devastation was clear, and I'm certain it's something I'll never forget. "I know this isn't ideal," I start, but she cuts me off.

"Not ideal? This is exactly what I didn't want to happen, Gavin. People are talking about me sleeping with a student's father. They'll assume—"

"That's right, they'll assume. They'll assume because they have no idea how much you really mean to me, and I assure you, my feelings for you have absolutely nothing to do with you being my daughter's teacher." I take her other hand and bring it to my lips, brushing them against her knuckles. "Listen, Ava, I know this sucks. It sucks huge hairy balls, but maybe this is a blessing."

Her eyes widen in shock. "A blessing? Everyone thinking you're sleeping with me to get your daughter a better grade is a blessing?"

"We don't know that's what they're thinking," I argue.

"Of course they do! I'm the teacher who had to face the school board because an underaged photo of myself drinking was posted online. I'm sure they'll find all sorts of reasons why our relationship isn't appropriate, which is why I wanted to keep it quiet. I couldn't risk the public scrutiny."

"I know that, and I respected your position. It's not our fault we were outed on some stupid website, where nosy assholes get to post whatever they want without caring who they hurt."

Her eyes fill with tears, and when the first one slides unchecked down her cheek, it feels as if someone reaches into my chest and rips out my heart. "What am I going to do now?" she whispers to herself.

"We're going to get through this, together."

Ava shakes her head, as if not wanting to hear my words. "I need to think," she blurts out, suddenly standing up and taking a step back.

Holding on to her hand, I say, "Listen, I know this is a big deal for you. I get it, really. But we can't let them win by tearing us apart, Ava. Whoever did this is trying to drive a wedge between us and hurt your reputation. If we show them they can't break us, we win."

A few more tears slide down her cheeks. "I appreciate your confidence, but I don't quite share it. If the school board catches wind of this, I could lose my job."

"There's no clause saying you can't date a student's father."

"No, but I'm already being watched like a hawk, Gavin. Can't you see that? This gives the board and the superintendent an opportunity to fire me for negative press."

"They can't fire you for dating," I argue, starting to get upset now too.

"No, they can't, but they can fire me because of my reputation."

"You're an amazing teacher, Ava. They'd be stupid to let you go just for dating me."

"Welcome to living and working in a small town," she counters sadly. She takes a deep breath before adding, "I'm going to go home. I need to do some thinking, and I'll probably need to talk to the superintendent tomorrow."

Standing up, I take her in my arms and breathe her in. "I don't want you to go."

She curls her hands into my chest, holding my sweatshirt tightly. "I don't want to go, but I need to."

Sighing, I pull back, meeting her sad gaze. "I need you to know I'm fighting for you, for us. When you go through something hard, you go through it with me by your side. We may not have been ready to go public, but now that it's happened for us, I refuse to let you face the firing squad on your own. I'll be right beside you, Ava, because that's what you do when you love

A whimper breaks from her lips as she throws her arms around my shoulders and holds on tight. I squeeze a little harder than I should, desperately needing to feel her body against my own.

When she pulls back, she sniffles and gives me a dejected look. "Thank you. Give me a little time to process this and deal with whatever fallout I'll have at work."

"I'm not kidding, Ava. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right by your side through all of this."

Her small smile, while sad, tells me how grateful she is. She may not understand what it truly means to have someone in her corner like this, but she's about to find out. I'm not going anywhere, and I'll fight every single one of the bastards who try to hurt her.

Watch me.

She steps forward and goes up on her tiptoes, her hands pressed to my chest. I swipe my mouth against hers, savoring the feel of her and refusing to rush this kiss. I need her to know—to feel —exactly how much I love her.

When she pulls away, the normal heat I'd see reflecting in those brown eyes is void. Instead, those orbs are full of fear and concern, two things I hate to see. I guide her to the mudroom and watch as she slips her shoes back on. Grabbing her coat, I hold it open for her and watch as she shivers at the slightest contact of my hand against her arm.

At least I know I still affect her the way she does me.

"This isn't over," I insist. When she nods, I add, "Not by a long shot, Ava. We're going to get through this together."

"Okay," she whispers.

"The only reason I'm letting you go is because kidnapping is illegal in Wisconsin."

The corner of her mouth ticks. "I'm pretty sure it's illegal in all states."

"I'm not going to force you to stay, even though I want to. I want you to stay and come up with a game plan with me. I want to go to school with you tomorrow and face every single one of the people who dare to say a cross word to you or look at you in a way they shouldn't. This fight, if there is one, isn't just about you. I'm involved too, but even if I wasn't, I'd still be right here, waiting for you. So, go home and take the time you need to process what's happening, but know I'm here. I'm always right here."

She relaxes and nods. "Thank you, Gavin. For everything." She goes up on her tiptoes and presses a chaste kiss to my lips once more. I want to take control, to deepen the kiss and show her exactly what she means to me, but I don't.

I let her walk out the door.

Helping her into her vehicle, I open the garage door she had just pulled into a short time ago and watch her back out of my driveway. I stand there even after she drives away, wishing she'd come back so we can deal with the fallout of those photos together.

With a loud exhale, I lock everything up and head back inside. My heart aches for her, at the hurt reflected in her eyes as I told her what was found online. It hurts for another reason too. One I wasn't expecting.

I had told her I loved her.

But she didn't tell me back.

The pain in my chest just continues to grow. Something tells me, it won't get better until she's by my side once more. By my side and in my arms.

Time to put a plan together.

Time to show her exactly how I feel.

Time to let the whole world know she's mine.