Hidden Fates (Hidden Heroes #4)

Chapter 16

“If those kids are giving you a hard time, I don’t want you going back to that job. We can find you something else that won’t stress you out as much.” Garrett was growing more furious by the second. Reese had barely said two words to him since he’d driven her home from her first day of teaching, and he had no idea what was going on.

She’d been so excited to get the job, but now it seemed like she was shutting down on him, and he couldn’t stand it. Did she hate teaching? Were the kids mean to her? He’d already experienced first-hand just how awful teenagers could be. The last thing Reese needed right now was more stress in her life.

“It was fine,” Reese finally assured him, even as she wrung her hands together in her lap. She’d finally been able to take off the bandages the other day, and the scrapes on her hands and legs were almost entirely healed much to Garrett’s relief.

“You don’t sound fine,” he pressed.

Reese sighed. “I probably just made it harder on myself because I’ve decided to start looking people in the eye at work.”

His gut sank at her admission. That was the last thing he’d wanted her to put herself through. “Reese,” Garrett said, softly. “You don’t need to do that. The stress and anxiety, I don’t want you having panic attacks. You don’t need this job. If I had my way, you wouldn’t even be leaving my house at all right now. I’m not trying to be controlling, I just want to keep you safe from Russell.”

“I feel perfectly safe at the school,” she said. “I like the kids, and most of them die a peaceful death well into old age.”

“What is it then? Garrett hated seeing her like this and not knowing what was wrong or how to fix it.

“Me.” She looked like she wanted to crawl inside herself and hide there forever.

Garrett put his arm around her and pulled her in closer. They were back on his dock, their legs dangling off the side. His toes were grazing the water, which was now a warm purple hue from the reflection of the beautiful sunset they were out here to watch. He wanted to urge her for an explanation, but he just waited for her to keep going.

“The kids were fine. I don’t think they even noticed anything when I saw one of them die in a car accident years from now, but I just - it’s been a long time since I’ve had to address a room full of people like that, and teaching young minds is such a huge responsibility…” Garrett was about to say something when she quickly added, “But I want to do it. I have to do this.”

The steal in her tone was back and it had him sitting up straighter. “Can I ask why?”

“To prove to myself that I can. Before Russell put me in that hospital, I wasn’t exactly going out of my way in search of large groups of people, but I didn’t have this never-ending anxiety about going in public. I mean, if you had met me back then, you would not have had to turn out your lights for me to talk to you, or for me to meet and hang out with your friends. I used to be this strong, capable, brave person. And I think this is my chance to find her again.”

“You are still that strong, capable, and brave person, Reese. Even more so because you’re not letting what you went through define you.”

Reese sighed. “I think it’s a little too late for that. But if what Russell did is going to define me, I want it to be for the better, not for the worse. Does that make sense?”

“Perfect sense.” He pressed a kiss to the side of her head, and brushed his lips along her temple. “I’m proud of you.”

She smiled. “Thanks. And the kids really were great. I mean, it took them a few minutes to settle and get into learning about art mode, but that was to be expected. I swear, I was shaking on the inside the whole time, but I also couldn’t get this feeling of intense joy out of my mind. I was actually really happy to be out in the world doing something meaningful.”

Garrett couldn’t even put into words how happy he was for the woman sitting next to him. Not only had she been through hell in the last year, but she’d come out of it stronger and more determined than ever to get her life back on track. He’d met a lot of people who’d endured a lot less, and were all too happy to wallow in their victim mentality. Seeing Reese face her fears head on was inspiring. “You know what, we should celebrate.”

“How?” Reese asked.

“Well, I’m sure you need things for your classroom. Let’s go shopping for art supplies tomorrow after school.”

“You want to go shopping with me? I mean, I do need to get some supplies for my classes, but I just figured I’d do that on my own time.”

“I’d love to go shopping with you.” Garrett wasn’t someone who usually volunteered to go shopping, but the idea of spending time with Reese and seeing her in her element, was definitely something he wanted more of. “Maybe you can teach me a little about art.”

Reese smiled, and leaned into him. “The art of what exactly?”

“You are something else,” he breathed, pressing a kiss to the side of her head just before she turned and caught his mouth with her lips, sealing it in a breath-stopping kiss than had him going hard in seconds.

They’d been kissing and making out almost every day since he’d moved her into his house, but it was getting harder and harder to stop before things went too far. It was silly, really. They were both consenting adults, and it was no secret Reese wanted him as much as he wanted her.

When she pulled back, the glare of the sun prevented them from looking into each other’s eyes, and Reese stayed perfectly still, her face just inches from his. “I’ve been wanting to do that since we got here.”

“Don’t stop on my account,” Garrett teased, already lowering his mouth to hers. He would take every opportunity he could to kiss her, touch her, be close to her. Despite everything Reese had been through, there was something about her that was pure sunshine and love, and Garrett wanted to soak in every drop.

***

“Hard day?” Reese was sitting in the passenger seat of his truck the next day. They were on their way to a local art store and while she was excited, she could sense Garrett’s mind was elsewhere.

Garrett chuckled. “Nothing I can’t handle. I’m just happy to be here with you now. How was your day? How are the kids treating you?”

“Good. I think they’re loving the idea of making junk journals, and they seem to be really engaged during the lecture part of the lesson, too.”

Garrett smiled. “That’s great.”

“Thanks. You know I’ve never actually taught an art class before.”

“Well, don’t tell them that,” he chuckled.

Reese laughed. “I’m not. I’m telling you. This is just me winging it.”

He glanced over at her for a moment, then brought his gaze back to the road. “Winging it looks good on you, but we still have to be careful. I’m thinking about having a patrol car parked outside your classroom just in case.”

“No,” Reese said adamantly. “Absolutely not. With the school’s private security and you being just down the hall, it’s totally unnecessary.”

He sighed, and took her hand in his, resting their joined hands on her lap. “Reese, we can’t ignore the fact that someone who is out on bail kidnapped you right from my backyard. And if it hadn’t been for the GPS locator I gave you, I don't think we would’ve found you in time.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Reese said. “But I think you’re forgetting just how big of a bad ass I was. You said so yourself.”

Garrett glanced her way again. “I would feel so much better if you would just accept some kind of formal protection, just until we -”

“No,” she interrupted. “Russell is a cop. Anything legal or official wouldn’t protect me from him. The only thing I can actually do to protect you and your friends from Russell is to leave. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about him, or them, or -”

“You?” Garrett asked, his voice rough and raw. “You think I wouldn’t worry about you if you weren’t here? Who do you take me for, Reese?”

She swallowed, taken aback by his sudden change in tone. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I was practically going out of my mind when I got the alert that you were in trouble. I dropped everything. My friends dropped everything. We weren’t going to stop until we found you. I kept picturing you being hurt, or lying dead somewhere. Not being able to get to you in time. Do you really think leaving would change how I feel about you now?”

Reese hadn’t realized until that moment how selfish her words had been. “No, of course not. I’m sorry, Garrett. I just wanted to make it easier for you.”

He pulled into a parking spot in front of Soleil Art Shop, killed the engine, unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her, keeping his gaze low so she could see his features when he spoke. “Reese, my life stopped being easy the night I walked into that motel room and found you shackled to a bed with a bucket for a toilet. And you know what, I don’t regret a single second of what’s happened between us since. Do you?”

Reese’s breath caught in her throat. “No. Everything that happened to me led me to you, and if I could go back and do it all over again, I’d make sure I did it exactly the same way just so I could meet you and have this time with you. No matter how long it lasts. But -”

Garrett took both her hands in his, holding them tight but not hurting her in the least. “It’s going to last, Reese. I didn’t find you then, or again the other night, only to lose you because of some crazed murderer step brother, or a stupid misunderstanding. You and me, Reese. We’re going to last.”

Reese found herself nodding at his words because he was right. She didn’t want to go anywhere. She wanted to stay. Here. With him.

Garrett leaned over the center console and kissed her, soft and sweet. She loved how his kisses weren’t demanding or possessive unless she wanted them to be. Then he went all out and claimed her like a caveman, and she loved that, too. “Alright, let’s go art shopping. You know, I’ve never taken a woman shopping before?”

“You mean art shopping,” she corrected.

“No, I mean shopping. One of many firsts for me that I only want to share with you.” He got out of the truck before she could utter a response and met her on the passenger side. Helping her out, he shut her door and took her hand.

Stepping into the art store felt like meeting an old friend she hadn’t seen in forever. The familiar scent of paints, glue, and paper filled the air, instantly transporting Reese to another time and place, before her troubles with Russell started, when she was just living her life and making art. She didn’t often think about those days anymore, mostly because it hurt too much. Reese wasn’t sure what lay ahead for her, but she knew one thing for sure - there was no going back. That life she once led and had planned for herself was over now, and she needed to start fresh. Maybe this really was her second chance.

“Hello, welcome to Soleil Art Shop, let me know if I can help you find anything,” a blond woman said from behind the register.

“Thanks,” Garrett said, then turned his attention to Reese. “Where do you want to start?” He asked, taking a basket.

“The clearance section,” she said easily. She led the way down the main aisle to the clearly marked section and started sifting through the treasures.

She immediately spotted several packets of construction paper that only seemed to have a bit of damage to the packaging. She also found various painting supplies, ribbons, washi tape, and other fun things that would be great for junk journaling.

Reese placed several things into the basket, before moving on to the next aisle. She spotted a bunch of blank canvases up ahead and beelined for them. They were all too big for her students though, so she turned to see if they had any in a smaller size. Distracted by all the art supplies, she didn’t notice the man standing near her until she lifted her gaze and their eyes locked.

Even as she recognized Principal Ryker, her vision was blinded by the image of him in a prison cell, being shanked in the kidney, once, twice, three times - she jerked her head away, her breaths coming out in loud pants.

“Reese?” Garrett’s voice was just loud enough to draw her attention from the horror playing out in her mind.

She swallowed and blinked hard, not wanting her new boss to think she was a complete and total headcase. Refocusing her gaze on Principal Ryker, she offered him a smile, even as her head still spun from the connection. “Principal Ryker, I didn’t know you were an artist.”

The man glanced from her to Garrett, and back to her. “I’m not. My wife likes to paint sometimes and asked me to pick up a few things for her on my way home.”

“I see,” Garrett said to the man. “Well, it was nice seeing you. We’ll leave you to your shopping. See you in school.” Then he placed a hand on the small of Reese’s back and led her away to another aisle. As soon as they were out of earshot of the principal, Garrett leaned into her and asked, “Hey, are you okay?”

His warm breath hit the side of her neck, bringing her fully back to the present moment. She nodded, hoping he didn’t see how shaken she still was by what she’d just seen. So many questions raced through her mind. Why was Principal Ryker in prison? Who wanted him dead? None of this made any sense, and to make matters worse, he didn’t look much older than he was right now.

“Reese.” Garrett caught her midstride and held her in place, turning her slightly to him so she could just see the outline of his jaw. He had a bit of a five o’clock shadow and she desperately wanted to run her fingertips over it. “What happened back there?” He asked, cupping the side of her neck. “Was that what I think it was?” There was a mixed sense of horror and awe in his tone. She’d hoped he wouldn’t pick up on what happened, but s he should’ve known there was no hiding anything from Garrett. He was way too observant, and he cared. Reese nodded, still feeling a bit shaky.

“You saw him die?” His tone was flat now, like he wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or worried.

She nodded again, then whispered, “It was awful. He was killed in prison.”

“Prison?” Garrett took an involuntary step back, not bothering to hide the shock in his voice.

“I know.” Reese found it hard to believe herself. “I wonder if he has something to do with you being at the school.” Garrett hadn’t really told her anything about the undercover case he was working on, but if the principal was going to end up dying in prison at roughly the same age he was now, it didn’t seem like a far-fetched thought.

“He might, but now I’m really wishing I could convince you to not work there. Reese, please think about it.” His hand held hers in a firm, but gentle grip. It was like he was holding on to her when this whole time she’d been the one needing him to ground her.

“No, Garrett. And this isn’t me being stubborn or careless.” It really wasn’t, at least that’s what she told herself. “This is me getting my life back, and not letting some unknown variables keep me from doing something I enjoy doing. We have no idea why he ends up in prison, and while teaching art wasn’t a dream of mine, it is the closest I’ve come in over a year to feeling like myself again. An artist. Please don’t make me give that up. Besides, teaching at that school will mean I’m just down the hall from you all day. I know I’ll be safe with you, Garrett. I just know.”

Reese couldn’t see the slew of unreadable expressions crossing his face, but she felt every single one of them in the deepest and longest ragged sigh she’d ever heard. “If giving in to you gets you hurt, or worse, I’ll never forgive myself.”

He wouldn’t. She didn’t even know how she knew that, but she did, which is why she said, “It won’t. I’m a bad ass, remember?” She didn’t feel like one right now, but she’d loved hearing him call her that.

Garrett shook his head and tried to hold back a smirk on those sexy full lips. “My sweet, beautiful, badass.”

Reese smiled, wishing she could see his eyes along with the crooked smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I like the way that sounds. I think I have everything I need for now. Let’s go home.” She’d said the word without thinking. “I meant your home,” she corrected quickly.

Holding the basket with one hand, Garrett wrapped his free arm around her waist. “You had it right the first time.”