Page 76 of Avery's Hero

“The fights are related to this?” I ask.

There’s shock in his eyes when I say, “I’m proud of you for looking out for someone. But it can’t be with your fists. People can get seriously hurt. People get arrested. I’ve known good guys that went to jail for things that got out of control. It might just seem like a simple fistfight, but it’s much more dangerous than that. And if a bully gets to run roughshod over a school, causing this kind of problem, then everyone’s life is affected. And Belle, you’re right, they will move on to someone else. And someone else. Until they leave a trail of damage in their wake.”

Angry, Linc clenches his jaw. “I’m not going to let them hurt her.”

“As you shouldn’t. But you should get adults involved. Was the thing in San Diego related to this?”

Belle bolts upright, alarm in her eyes. “What happened in San Diego?”

Linc and I stare at each other.

Clenching my teeth, I say,

“You should have told me.”

Linc’s gaze is unflinching. “Not like you’d have gone and kicked their asses.”

“No, I wouldn’t, but I’d help you both find a way to deal with it.”

Tightening his jaw, Linc says, “That would require you to do something besides work and screw around with the girl you hired.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

A

Sunday’s quiet at the firehouse. I’ve tried to occupy myself, but I can’t stop listening for Brock’s truck. And looking at my phone for a text. Nothing comes.

At the end of the day, I head out to cruise around looking for an apartment. With Gunnar’s release date coming, I have to find somewhere for us to rent. Unfortunately, it’s late. And it's Sunday, so I can’t exactly get a showing.

Plus, rent is a lot more expensive inLynn’s Cove than I thought. Months ago, when I started looking, the prices were a lot better.

My savings won’t go nearly as long as I hoped they would.

I’m feeling tired and blue when I crawl into bed. Sighing, I try to get comfortable, but my head is spinning.

My eyes are open, staring into space when the room lights up. I sit up. My phone, laying on the table across the room, is lit up with an incoming call.

My heart skips when I see who it is.

“Hey,” I say, sounding far too breathless.

“You sleeping, sweetheart?”

“Trying.”

Brock sighs, I hear the rustle of cloth and immediately think about the soft navy blue comforter on his bed. He says, “Me too.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s been a long couple of days.”

“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

That’s when I hear his feet padding on the hardwood floor. More rustling.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting dressed.”