Before You Go

by Ava Claire

  “My secretary told me there was some sort of an emergency, Mr. DeLaurentis. What can I do for you?”

  I was wondering if the name might tip him off, but it looked like he was having a busy morning, and the first clue went over his head. My next sentence would send him reeling.

  “I have a mission,” I said ominously. Just like I expected, his fingers froze. I was about to have him hook, line, and sinker. “Without your help, all is lost.”

  Patterson looked like he’d seen a ghost, his skin pasty white. His chest pumped in and out, hyperventilating. He slowly turned his attention from his computer monitor, like he still couldn’t believe it. When our eyes met, his eyes bulged from his skull.

  “Last Resort!” he sputtered, naming the movie the quote was from. In it, I played Jake DeLaurentis, a burned spy who discovers a terrorist plot, and must return to the agency that ruined his life to prevent catastrophe. Lots of ass kicking ensued.

  “That’s my favorite movie.” Patterson’s chin trembled, emotion clutching his voice. “You remembered.”

  “Of course I did.” I appreciated every last one of my fans, even the ones that might be a little too obsessed with my work. I’ve had kids named after me, articles of underwear carefully packed in manilla envelopes, and one especially dedicated (and disturbed) fan broke into my condo in Malibu to start our lives together. Lisa had suggested I keep my distance, but I went to the trial and even though the guy was too doped up on anti-psychotics to process it, I told him that I didn’t harbor him any ill will.

  Patterson booked it to the front of the desk where I stood, jutting out his hand. When I shook it, his nervous jitters rocketed through me.

  “What do I owe this honor?” His eyes darted to the chairs in front of his desk. “Where are my manners—have a seat!”

  “Actually, I’m just asking a favor, then I’ll be out of your hair.”

  “Anything for you,” Patterson said, without even thinking about it. He put a hand on his chest like he was making a solemn vow.

  I laid out my plan. Most of the moving parts had already been taken care of. Lisa helped me hand things out and rally the troops. I just needed Patterson to hang out with the kids so I could get a moment alone afterwards.

  He didn’t even bat an eye, the stack of folders on his desk forgotten. “I’m your man, Cade!”

  He agreed to meet me in fifteen minutes, and I exited to the hall where Lisa was waiting.

  “He’s in,” I confirmed. Excitement collided with the nerves in my gut.

  “Of course he is. I could tell he was a big softie underneath all that fanboy,” she winked. I must have looked terrified before I could put up a front because she narrowed her eyes in concern. “You’ve got this, Cade.”

  I chuckled, trying to pretend I wasn’t worried that something would go wrong. “Yeah. Of course I do.” Never mind the fact that she still hadn’t returned my text or calls. A week and a half of not knowing where we stood, trying to think of my next move.

  And then the perfect idea came to me.

  Now I just had to do the hardest part...walk through the door.

  “Go get your girl!” Lisa clapped me on the back, and when I didn’t move, she gave me a push in the direction of Megan’s classroom.

  I didn’t remember the walk to her class being so lengthy. I felt like I was on a treadmill, going forward,but not really going anywhere. Each step took me back to the start.

  At the premiere, the pain in her eyes called to me. The pain of wanting more, needing it...but getting in your own way because you were afraid. Her words cut like a knife when she called me out, sure I’d break her heart, then embraced me when she said she loved me.

  There was a long list of things I didn’t know, one of which was if this was all a dream. Soldier’s Creed was #1 at the box office last week. The websites and publications that shunned me as a publicity whore now lifted me on their shoulders, claiming the movie was the best they’d seen. Maybe even Oscar worthy.

  Was my mother proud of me? All her life, she worked her fingers to the bone so I could have better. It was a terrible twist of fate that she died before I had a chance to give her the luxury-filled life she dreamed of.

  The only question I knew the answer to was whether or not I could walk away from Megan Scott. The answer was a resounding no. Walking down the street, I saw her everywhere. In the quiet smile of a woman in a cafe. In the giggle of a child, eyes wild and free. In the warmth of the sun that beat down on me. If I didn’t fight for her, for our love, I’d regret it until I drew my final breath.

  And speaking of breaths, I had to remind myself to take a few to calm my nerves. I stopped at the door of her classroom. She was standing in the front, more beautiful every time my eyes fell on her. Her golden red locks were held back by a blush pink scarf. Her white blouse skated down to meet dark jeans, and I swept my eyes back up. It was time.

  I rapped on the door with my knuckles, looking at the kids and giving them a nod before I met her gaze. Those eyes, turquoise and clear and...glad? She was happy to see me?

  “I hope I’m not interrupting,” I said, my throat like sandpaper. I remained in the doorway, even though I longed to be near her. I wouldn’t cross the threshold until she said the word.

  But what if she told me to go away? I hadn’t even considered that as an option. I had no plan B. Nothing but a hope that I hadn’t imagined the spark in her eye.

  She turned back to her students, bringing her hand to her chin and stroking it pensively. “What do you guys say? Want to invite Mr. Wallace to join us?”

  Their answer was an enthusiastic yes and she laughed, the sound something I’d never get tired of hearing. She beckoned for me to come in.

  I flicked a look at the kids, the last few retrieving the surprise. I’d been worried one of them would spill the beans, but they all wore the grin of someone that had a secret, and they weren’t telling.

  I faced Megan. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Trying to figure out some way to fix things.”

  She glanced at her students, then back at me. Her cheeks were the most beautiful shade of red. “Cade, I’m not sure this is the place—”

  “I know I’m playing dirty, but I have something I want to say.”

  Her brow furrowed in confusion, but when she turned back to her kids, her gasp echoed around the room.

  Eight of her kids were on their feet. Each one held a letter or apostrophe that comprised my apology: I’m Sorry.

  She took a step forward, her body trembling with emotion. “You guys..” She stormed toward me and socked me in the shoulder. “You did this? For me?”

  I nodded, a smile cemented on my lips. “I’d do anything for you, Megan.”

  The kids started in, chatter rising to a fever pitch as they all asked her to forgive me. She laughed, waving her arms and telling them to sit down. She threw me a wilting look, but her smile betrayed her.

  “What’s going on in here?” Patterson’s booming voice turned everything to silence. Right on time.

  Megan went bug eyed, her smile replaced by a wince. “I can explain—”

  “That’s not necessary, Miss Scott.” His face softened. “Take a minute, I know this is all very overwhelming.”

  Realization flooded her eyes, but she cleared her throat and nodded. “Right.”

  We stepped into the quiet, empty hallway. Even if it had been filled with kids, people shoulder to shoulder, I wouldn’t have noticed. Nothing mattered except Megan. I wanted to remember this moment. Megan’s perfect cheeks, blushed pink. Her perfect lips slightly parted like she was somewhere between a sigh and a moan. Perfect eyes, narrowed like she was still trying to decide whether this was a good surprise—or a terrible one.

  I cleared my throat. Here goes nothing. “Before you say anything, let me get this out—”

  “Cade, I for—”

  “I should have told you about Missy. Honestly, I have no idea why I didn’t.” That was a lie. And from her raised eyebrow, she
knew it. “I mean, I guess I just didn’t want you to think that you were right about me. It meant nothing. You’re the only one for me, Megan. I’m pretty sure I knew that at the premiere. I wanted to believe you were just a pretty face. A challenge, but you are so much more.”

  Her eyes fell to the ground. Shit...I was losing her.

  “Before you go back in the classroom, before you walk away, you should know that I’ve never loved anyone as much as you. It’s more than just your heart, the way you go to the ends of the earth and back for your students. It’s more than your fight, and the way you call people on their bullshit. It’s the fact that you’re a part of me, Megan. Without you, there’s this chunk that’s missing. I’m not whole without you.”

  She raised her chin. Her eyes squared on me with an intensity that nearly brought me to my knees. I hadn’t lost her at all...her eyes swam with tears of emotion. Love burned brighter than a million suns.

  She sniffed and tossed her head slightly like she was banishing the tears. “Mind if I talk now?”

  I nodded slowly, in a daze. Dropped into a dream I never thought I’d have.

  “What I was going to say is I forgive you, Cade.” She brought her hand to my cheek, inhaling deeply and exhaling. She missed this nearness, just as badly as I did. “I’m afraid. I’ve been so hurt that not even you could heal all the old wounds, but for the first time, I want to really take a chance. I love you, and I want to see where that love takes us.”

  I leaned in, breathing in her scent. Warm. Safe. She smelled like forever.

  Her lips rushed to meet mine, but a flurry of giggles stopped the kiss dead in its tracks. I looked to my right. Her students heads peeked out at us, Patterson’s head above them all. He turned beet red and mouthed an apology. He dragged them back inside and closed the door.

  I turned back to the beautiful woman in front of me. The proof that happily ever after was possible on and off the big screen.

  “Now,” I grinned, lips brushing hers. “Where were we?”

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  Thank you for taking the time to read Before You Go. Please consider leaving a review. xx, Ava

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her e-reader, Ava likes road tripping, karaoke, vintage fashion, and fantasizing about her favorite book boyfriends.

  Connect with Ava:

  Blog: http://avaclaireromantica.blogspot.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ava.claire.9

  Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/xhR39

  Twitter: @avaclairewrites

  Stay tuned to my blog for up to date information on my works in progress and release schedules!

  Coming soon:

  Stolen, the prequel to the His Dark Lessons series~

  When Cassandra Woods sees Chance Crawford for the first time, she's immediately drawn to him. Tall, dark, and brooding, he's the artist type that usually gets her in trouble; guys who were more interested in getting to know her father, a Pulitzer Prize winning author.

  But Chance could care less who her father is. He looks at Cassandra like she's the only thing that matters in the whole world. He steals her breath from her lungs. Her heart from her chest.

  All-consuming, all-powerful love, is beautiful.

  And terrifying.

  You've read the His Dark Lessons series and know where they end up. It's time to find out how Cass and Chance met, fell in love...then fell apart.

  Add it to your Goodreads shelf here!

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