Chapter 25

     *Chapter 25: Make it go away 

Gavin Hawkins POV

    As I stepped out into the night, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I'd just left a part of myself behind. My mind lingered back at Lyric.

    I took a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill my lungs. I had to focus on keeping Lyric safe, not on the way she made me feel.

    But it was hard to ignore the spark that had ignited between us. I'd seen the way she looked at me, her eyes softening ever so slightly. And when I'd touched her hand, I'd felt a jolt of electricity run through my body.

    I shook my head, chuckling wryly to myself. I was in trouble. My craving for this girl was getting out of control. When I had her on the counter earlier, dirty thoughts of banging her against it ran through my mind.

    I needed to keep my distance, but at the same time, I needed to keep her safe.

    The door squeaked open, and Lyric’s small head popped out. I noticed her hair was tied in a bun with free strands falling down. Why had I not noticed this before?

    Lyric stepped out with a coat hanging on her arm.

    "I have my bike with me. You should go back in," I told her, pointing at my motorcycle.

    She nodded slowly before her eyes met mine again. My mind replayed what had happened earlier on the counter—the moment when her hand had rested on my chest. My heart had been beating wildly then, and I hoped she hadn’t noticed.

    Next, she began searching the pocket of her coat, bringing out a tissue.

    She unfolded it and held it out for me to read. Written on it were the words: "You don't have to escort me to my house on a daily basis. I am not your problem."

    "But I—"

    My words were cut short as she slammed the door in my face. I lifted my fist to knock at the door but stopped midway.

    Her aunt and the children were inside. I didn’t want to create a ruckus. Twisting the tissue in my hand, I dropped it into the bin in front of the house.

    As I walked away from Lyric's house, I couldn't shake the sense of unease. The mysterious man's words still echoed in my mind: *"Non fare il difficile, lasciami stare!"*

    My eyes wandered back to their house before I climbed onto my bike. If I had my way, I wouldn’t go home. I’d stay to watch over the house.

    But then my phone buzzed with a call—from him. If I didn’t respond, he would act on his anger, and his anger had never helped anyone.

    Putting on my helmet, I climbed onto my bike and rode away.

    ---

    ###

    As I arrived at my house, I noticed someone sitting on my porch. A slim figure.

    "Who are you?" I asked, my voice firm, my body tensing in anticipation.

    The figure turned, and a broken voice called out, "Gavin."

    I froze. I would recognize that voice in my dreams.

    "Iris?" I said in disbelief.

    She ran to me, throwing her arms around my waist. Her body trembled as she broke into tears, sobbing onto my shirt. My entire body froze at the skin contact; my blood boiled as her shoulders shook in my arms. It felt like someone was brutally stepping on my chest.

    I held her tightly, cradling her head in my hand as I whispered softly, "Let it all out, baby. Let it all out."

    ---

    Inside my house, I made her a cup of tea and covered her with a blanket. She sat curled up in my chair, her legs wrapped tightly around herself. Her face was streaked with tears and running mascara, and mucus leaked from her nose. I handed her a tissue.

    "Thank you," she said, her voice hoarse as she forced a weak smile.

    Her eyes wandered around the room, taking in her surroundings. "Truly, I never thought you’d let me see the inside of your house."

    A laugh erupted from her, but the sound was hollow. She looked at me eagerly and asked, "Can I see your bedroom?"

    I shook my head instantly, attempting to change the subject. "No."

    Sitting down on the arm of the couch, I gave her a pointed look. "You came to my house crying, and now you're asking to see my bedroom?"

    Iris looked up at me, her eyes welling with tears again. "Gavin—"

    I leaned closer, my voice softening. "What happened?"

    She bit her lip hard, trying to keep the tears from falling.

    "Who hurt you?" I pressed gently.

    She took a deep, shuddering breath before speaking. "It's Aaron."

    Every alert in my brain went off at the mention of his name. I shot up from my seat, my chest tightening with anger. "What did that bastard do?" I growled.

    Her voice trembled as she explained. "I went over to his house to return his jacket. It had been hanging in my closet for weeks, but I couldn’t muster the courage to give it back until now. When I went in, he was kissing Wren."

    My eyes widened in shock. "Aaron and Wren? Aren't they siblings?"

    Iris shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Step-siblings. They're only related by marriage."

    My fists clenched as anger bubbled to the surface. "He told you not to worry about her? And now they're kissing? This is so unfair."

    "I can't eat, sleep, or focus on anything because all I can think about is him and Wren...while he's out there...flirting with her," Iris said, her voice breaking.

    Disgust twisted my face. Ryder had asked me to look after Lyric because Wren was supposedly sick, but now I realized it had all been a lie. They'd been doing this behind everyone’s back. The mere thought made me feel sick.

    "Iris, I—"

    She cut me off, her voice rising in frustration. "What’s my fault in all this? Is it because I loved him? I can't handle this pain, Gavin. Please make it go away."

    I felt a pang of sympathy for my best friend. "Iris, I'm so sorry," I said, my voice heavy with emotion.

    My heart bled for her. Thoughts of beating Aaron Ryder to a pulp filled my head. I wanted to leave a mark on him so deep he wouldn’t dare look at Iris—let alone hurt her—ever again.

    Tears streamed down her face as she hugged me tightly around the waist, kneeling on the couch. "Make it go away, Gavin. Please make it go away," she whispered, her voice filled with anguish.

    Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. Each cry broke my heart a little more. I hated seeing her like this—weak and vulnerable. This was not the Iris I knew. She was strong, fierce, and unstoppable.

    Pulling away slightly, she looked up at me, her eyes filled with pain. "Will I ever be enough? Did he ever love me, or was Wren the one all along?"

    "You deserve so much better than that loser, Iris. I promise, you’re a gem of a person," I told her, my voice firm. I cupped her face with both hands, trying to make her believe the truth.

    "You’re only saying that because you’re nice. If I was such a gem, you wouldn’t have rejected me," she said bitterly.

    I sighed. "I rejected you back then because I truly never harbored romantic feelings for you, Iris. It wasn’t about you—it was about me. I didn’t want to let you in because that would’ve been wrong."

    She blinked at me, her tears slowing.

    "And Iris," I continued, "you’re the best thing in my life. I didn’t want to ruin that. You’re not like the other girls I’ve dated. I couldn’t treat you like one. I can’t have a relationship, and you know why."

    She gave my words some thought before nodding slowly. "I’m sorry," she murmured.

    I smiled faintly, pulling her into a hug. "Don’t apologize. You deserve the world, Iris. If Aaron can't see that, then he isn't not the one. "

    That night, while I watched Iris sleeping on my couch, one thing was certain, Aaron was a warrant of arrest waiting to happen.