Page 85 of Finders Keepers

“Because I was horrible to you,” I say, tears starting to spill down my cheeks as I look beyond the closed iron gate, my vision blurring while I stare at the warm yellow lights glowing from his house in the distance. I wipe at my cheeks with trembling fingers, trying to keep my composure even as more tears fall. “Because you didn’t deserve to be yelled at or pushed away. Because I’m scared, I’ve been scared and I’m letting that fear make me hurt the people I care about. Can you please let me in? I need to apologize properly. I need to make this right. I need to explain.”

Another pause, and then the gate begins to swing open with a mechanical hum. I let out a shaky sigh of relief, my shoulders sagging as some of the tension finally drains away. “Thank you,” I whisper into the phone, but he’s already hung up, leaving me with nothing but the quiet beeping of the disconnected line in my ear.

I drive up his long driveway, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat, my fingers still gripping the steering wheel. His front door opens as I park, and he steps out onto the porch, arms crossed over his chest. Even from here, I can see the tension in his shoulders, the rigid way he’s holding himself.

I quickly get out of my car and stop at the base of the porch, looking up at him. The hurt is still visible in his eyes; I feel smaller than ever under his gaze.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, my voice breaking. “I’ve been going through something… something I’ve been afraid to talk about. But pushing you away wasn’t the answer. You deserve better than that. I deserve better than letting fear control my life. I can’t keep living like this.”

He uncrosses his arms, taking a step toward me, making his way down the porch steps. The wood creaks beneath his feet as he moves closer.

“Whatever it is, Bailey, I told you, you don’t have to face it alone.” The tone of his voice finally breaks the dam loose inside me. A fresh wave of tears spills out of me and before I know it, the words follow. My anxiety is suffocating as I tell him everything about mine and Sophie’s circumstances, how we ended up in Pine Grove seeking refuge from a life we needed to escape. The summary of Matt’s abuse pours out. The emotional manipulation, the constant fear, the physical abuse, his drinking. I tell him about the divorce papers that have been filled, thanks to the lawyer, my voice catching as I explain about the fear that’s been eating me alive, consuming my thoughts day and night. When I get to the part of Matt’s call I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold it together, explaining how it triggered me, putting me right back on edge. My words tumble out faster and faster and as I explain, Gavin listens with such intense focus, his eyes never leaving me. I tell him my fears and how I didn’t want to drag him into my mess and that’s why it’s taken me so long to tell him all this. How I wanted to so badly, but I was afraid he would leave once he knew the full truth. The thought of losing him, of watching someone walk away because of my baggage, makes my throat tighten painfully with a lump.

He’s full of understanding and a protectiveness that makes me feel safe for the first time in so long, and I can’t help but cry and share every dark secret I’ve been holding inside.

When I’m done laying everything out before him, he immediately closes the distance between us and wraps me in the biggest hug I’ve ever received. His entire body envelops mine; he cups the back of my head and presses me in tighter and I squeeze him back, feeling the solid warmth of his chest against my tear-stained cheeks. His familiar scent surrounds me as he holds me close, and for a moment, the weight I’ve been carrying on my shoulders feels lighter. My fingers clutch at the fabric of his shirt, desperate to keep this connection, this understanding that flows between us without the need for words.

And after what feels like forever and yet no time at all, he pulls back from our embrace. His hands move to cup my face, his thumbs gently wiping away the tears that have streaked down my cheeks. The tenderness in his touch nearly undoes me all over again.

“Bailey,” he whispers, his eyes searching mine. I can see everything in them. Understanding, compassion, and something deeper that makes my breath catch.

Time seems to slow as he leans in, his gaze dropping to my lips. My heart hammers against my ribs, and for once, my anxiety isn’t screaming at me to run. Instead, I find myself moving closer, drawn to him like a flower to the sun.

His lips meet mine, and the world falls away. This isn’t the hesitant first kiss we shared on Ms. Lucy’s porch after our dinner date. This is something else entirely. Deep, passionate, alive with everything neither of us can put into words. His hands weave in my hair as he pulls me closer, and I melt against him, my fingers gripping his shoulders.

I feel the warmth of his breath, taste the faint sweetness of him, and something inside me that’s been locked away for so long cracks open. He’s pouring everything into this kiss, his understanding of my pain, his promise to stand beside me, his unwavering support. It washes over me in waves, healing parts of me I thought would stay broken forever.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, he rests his forehead against mine. His eyes remain closed for a moment, as if he’s memorizing the feeling.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “Whatever comes next, whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to face it alone anymore. And you’re not dragging me into anything, I’m choosing to be here.”

I look up at him, seeing the determination etched across his features.

“But Matt, he’s—”

“He’s a coward who preys on people he thinks are weaker than him,” he cuts in, and there’s steel in his voice now, his jaw tightening visibly. “But you’re not weak, Bailey. You got yourself and Sophie out. You’re building a new life and that takes incredible strength.”

My tears continue to spill over, hot tracks down my cheeks, so Gavin pulls me back into his arms. I press my face against his chest, his heart beats steady and strong under my ear, a reassuring rhythm that helps calm my racing thoughts.

“I won’t let anything happen to either of you,” he murmurs into my hair. “I promise. We’ll figure this out together.”

“We?” I ask, my voice muffled against the fabric of his shirt.

He cups my face in both of his hands, thumbs coming back up to gently wipe away my tears. His touch is tender. “Yes, ‘we’. If you’ll let me, I want to be there for you and Sophie. I care about you, Bailey. Both of you.”

The sincerity in his voice makes my heart swell, and warmth blooms in my chest. “Sophie adores you,” I say softly, managing a wobbly smile. “And I…” I trail off, not quite ready to put words to the feelings growing inside me. Though I know they’re there.

“I know. No pressure, no rushing. We’ll take this at whatever pace you need. I just want you to be comfortable with everything. With me.”

I lean into his touch for a moment longer, savoring the warmth of his hands on my face before straightening up. My heart is still racing, but for different reasons now. “Will you come back to the party with me, please? I asked Ms. Lucy to stall until we got back, and…” I bite my lip, suddenly feeling nervous, twisting my fingers into the hem of his shirt. “I’d really like you there. Sophie would too.”

“Of course,” he says without hesitation. “Just let me grab my keys from inside.”

His lips find mine again, and I sigh into him, letting go of more of the tension that’s been building up inside me. It’s like he senses what I need without me having to say a word. I didn’t realize how heavy my burden was until now, how much I needed to share my fears and insecurities with someone I trusted. And Gavin is that person. I feel safe with him, and I know I can be vulnerable. It’s a relief to let go, to let someone else in after keeping my walls up for so long.

Driving back to the party is quiet. Gavin follows behind my car in his truck, and I can see his headlights in my rearview mirror the whole way. It feels like a metaphor, him having my back, watching over me. The thought makes me feel safe in a way I haven’t in a long time.

We pull back up to the party, the warm light from inside spills out onto the front porch, bright against the evening sky. I can hear Sophie’s laughter floating through the screen door, mixed with the sounds of the party, and it makes me smile despite my still-puffy eyes.

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