Page 52 of Unbreakable Love

Despite the morning and lack of sleep, I laughed. “Sounds exactly like the kind of day we need.”

The day might have been a day of chaos but full of learning all the same. Before school announcements could be made, I learned that news in a small town traveled faster than the speed of sound, and that parents didn’t necessarily protect little ears from overhearing their conversations. Thankfully, the only thing people had talked about was the news of Cameron’s injury. There wasn’t a child who stepped foot into my classroom who didn’t know that Josie’s uncle was hurt and in the hospital. Faye had been wrong about parents keeping their kids home because the only student missing from my class was Josie.

I further learned the kids could create endless amounts of chaos, and that I had a relatively high patience level given the day and previous night. Sufficiently exhausted after spending an hour resituating my classroom at the end of the day, my body was so tired my bones ached as I turned my car down my street.

But the fact that everyone knew of Cameron’s injury had at least given me an idea for some organized chaos, and the kids had quietly worked for an hour on a project I now needed Josie’s help to complete.

Gavin’s truck was parked in his driveway, front porch lights on even though the sun was still shining.

Not wanting to risk the possibility one or both could be sleeping, I rapped quietly on the door, closed the storm door, and stepped back. My hands clutched the bag I held for Josie, and I rocked back and forth on the heels of my boots.

The door opened and for the first time since I’d met him, Gavin’s expression showed neither irritation nor anger at my presence.

“Hey.” Exhaustion thickened his tone and as leaned against the doorway, I considered this might have been a mistake. I could give them a day or two before I did this. But I was already here, so I powered through.

The worst he could do was tell me no, shut the door in my face, and if history was any predictor of the future, he’d apologize for it before nightfall.

“I brought some things for Josie today. Is it okay if I talk to her for a minute? I kind of need her help.”

His dark, thick brows rose. “You need her help.”

“Class project.” I shrugged. “I’ll only need a minute, or, if she’s sleeping, I can come back.”

“She’s watching a movie in my room. Come on in and I’ll go get her.” He stepped back and let me in, and I swore there was a hint of a smile on his face as he did so. It was gone, and quickly followed by a sigh as he closed the door behind me.

I took another risk, one I wouldn’t have dared do before his offering for friends. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not,” he said and shook his head. “But we will be. Cam’s beat up and pissed at the world, but he…he doesn’t know about…” He glanced at me with a question in his eyes.

“I heard about Ava, at least partly,” I whispered. “I’m really so very sorry.”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “It’s been a shitty twenty-four hours, but we’ll manage. And Josie will be excited to see you. She doesn’t know about Ava yet, so if you could not mention it…”

“Absolutely. Of course I wouldn’t.”

“Right.” He shoved his hand through his hair. “Come on in then. I’m sure she’ll be right out.”

“If you’re tired…” I stepped forward, unable to help myself. “If you’re tired, she can come to my house for a little while. I have a craft for her to do, something the rest of the class did today for Cameron. If you need a break…”

“I’m exhausted, but I slept while she’s been watching the movie, so I’m good. I’m more struggling with restraining myself from going to the jail.”

An angry huff fell from his lips, and I blinked. “I don’t think anyone would blame you.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t want to end up in prison right next to him, so here we are.” He scrubbed the back of his neck and cringed. “Thank you for offering, though. I do appreciate it.”

There was a pleading in his eyes, something heavy and deep in his dark eyes that made me catch my breath. “You’re welcome,” I said, swallowing thickly. “Like I said, I’m happy to help anytime.”

“Well, be prepared.” He quirked a small grin. “I might take you up on it this time.”

“Deal.” I nodded back, still unsettled by the look in his eyes.

That wasn’t friendship I saw right before he turned away. It was something else, much heavier. Stronger.

And I was starting to forget all the reasons why it’d be bad to give my student’s father a chance at a whole different kind of relationship.

“Miss Pesco!” Josie’s excited voice rang through the hall before I had time to drop my arts and crafts bag on their kitchen table. “I didn’t go to school today. My uncle Cameron got hurt last night really bad during his game.”

“I know. We missed you.”

---