Page 53 of View With Your Heart

“Brit?” Gavin turns me in his arms, scanning my face as his palms cup my cheeks. “Did he get you?” His eyes roam down my body while his hands slip to my shoulders and then coast down my arms.

I only shake my head as I still can’t find words to speak. The car was so close to me. I hadn’t even noticed the headlights as my thoughts were on my upset with Gavin.

“Mom?” Gee questions, and I turn to face him, offering a weak grin as if to say I’m okay, but I’m not.

“You’re shaking. Let me drive you home,” Gavin demands.

“I need my car,” I say, of all things, still trembling. My knees wobble.

“We can come back for it,” Gavin tells me, but I shake my head again.

“I need my car,” I repeat, still in shock. I can’t find anything else to say. I’ll need to work tomorrow. I won’t have a way to get back for it. I was almost hit by a car.

I reach out for Gee, pulling him into me. If something happened to me, who would look after him? Where would he go? Who would be there for him? I clutch him to me as Gavin’s hand strokes up and down my back. Eventually, Gavin’s hand runs over the back of Gee’s head.

“Hey, I’m going to drive your mom home. She’s okay, little man. Okay?” His voice tries to soothe Gee while his touch attempts to calm me. “Go to Holden’s. Have fun tonight.”

The directive is meant to distract Gee, and my son nods. “Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, too, baby.” The statement breaks me. I’m quivering uncontrollably.

Without asking, Gavin takes my bag from my shoulder, rummaging through it for my keys. Placing his arm around me, he double checks both directions before leading me across the street. Once I’m seated in the passenger seat of my car and buckled in, I hold out my hands, which visibly tremble.

Holy shit.

Gavin helps himself to the drivers’ side and starts the ignition.

“Are you okay?” he questions again, and I nod, still unable to form words. He reaches for my hands, pulling both of them to his lips to kiss my fingers. Keeping one within his grasp, he pulls us onto the road and drives me home.

Take 18

Scene: Cottage Bedroom

[Gavin]

Holy shit.

My life flashed before my eyes as the headlights illuminated her, and she didn’t respond to her name. I moved without thought, reaching out for her waist and tugging her back to me. The car was going way too fast for a side street, especially with the kids playing so close to the road. In my head, I could only see the car crashing into Britton, and I reacted.

“Did I hurt you?” I tugged her pretty hard, almost picking her up. The asshole didn’t even stop other than to do a rolling pause at the intersection and continue down the street.

“I’m okay,” Britton finally says, fingers clenching mine as I hold her hand and drive her home. She’s lying, but I let her tell me what I want to hear.

She’s okay.

Watching her hug Gee to her chest, I wanted to wrap them both in my arms and hold them to me. I wanted to make promises. I’d take care of her. I’d take care of him. They were both promises I wanted to honor, even if I’m leaving in a few days.

Once we park in her driveway, I hop out of the car and round it for the passenger door. Holding it open, I quickly reach for her hand again.

“I’m okay, Gavin.” She exhales as if telling me to confirm it for herself. I lead her to her front porch, but I’m not leaving.

“I don’t want to let you out of my sight,” I whisper after following her to her front door. She opens it, and I continue to follow her. Once in her living room, she turns to face me. Not a second passes before my mouth crashes hers, hands cupping her face. I breathe her in as my lips move with hers. Her fingers comb through my hair to the back of my head, holding me to her. Bending at the knees, I lift her, spinning her for the front barrier.

“Theo,” she whispers.

“What?”

“He’ll be home soon,” she mutters, returning her mouth to mine. The implication is clear. I can’t take her up against the back of the front door.