Right Where We Belong (Silver Springs #4)(61)

“That’s ridiculous,” she said, but her voice was too high and breathy to make that statement as convincing as she needed it to be.

His lip curled. “You’re pathetic. I hope you know that. And you should know something else. I’m going to do everything I can to screw this up for you. You won’t get Gavin. He’s going to figure out what you’re up to, because I’m going to make sure of it.”

“How nasty can you be? You don’t know anything! It would be cruel to even get involved.”

“You’re the one who involved me.”

She grabbed hold of his wrist. “Don’t you dare say anything to Gavin...”

A malevolent smile curved his lips. “Watch me call him right now. By the time I hang up, he won’t ever speak to you again.”

Panic sliced through her as he pulled out his phone. The way Gavin had been acting, she wasn’t nearly as certain of him as she wanted to be. She needed more time, couldn’t let Scott ruin her future. Gavin was the best man she’d ever known; she wasn’t going to lose him. “I won’t let you take him from me!” she screamed.

“You’re sick. Obsessed.” He shook his head in apparent disgust as he started pressing buttons.

Galvanized by the fear rising inside her, she grabbed his phone before he could finish dialing and threw it against the wall. It shattered upon impact, and he slapped her so hard her head whipped back and her ears rang. But that wasn’t enough. She saw the rage on his face, the fact that he’d pulled back to hit her again. She had to get out. She’d pushed him too far.

But he stood between her and the door...

Grabbing the closest lamp, she swung and hit him with it on the shoulder. She was hoping that would knock him down, give her enough time to get around him.

He didn’t even stumble. “You bitch!” he cried. “You’re dead now!”

She dropped the lamp and dashed for the door. But she didn’t make it, just as she knew she wouldn’t. He caught her by the hair and spun her around to face him, and the blow that came next rattled her teeth.

*

It was nearly nine by the time Gavin got home. He’d stayed extra late at the school, sorting through his desk, organizing his equipment, fixing a few things he’d been putting off in favor of more important repairs—essentially avoiding his personal life.

Fortunately, working late seemed to have done what he’d hoped it would. Heather’s Pathfinder wasn’t in his drive, and there wasn’t another note on his door from Savanna. He wasn’t so much excited about not hearing from his neighbor as he was relieved. He wanted to see her; he just knew he wouldn’t be able to resist her again. Last night had been difficult enough.

The ringtone for his phone went off, signaling an incoming call.

He ignored it, didn’t even check to see who it was. He planned to eat and then sit out on the porch with his guitar and work on perfecting the lyrics for the song he’d been writing the night Savanna came barreling past him in that moving van. He needed to reclaim a bit of normalcy, find calm, peace. And after he finished playing? He was going to get some rest.

He made it through dinner before whoever was trying to reach him called so many times he couldn’t help checking, with a measure of exasperation, to see who it was. He’d received five calls from Heather, which came as no surprise. She was as obsessive as ever. But the last call had been from Eli, and that was the one he returned. He couldn’t make himself call Heather, or even check her messages. He’d told her earlier that he wouldn’t be able to see her tonight, and he was determined to make her respect what she’d been told.

“What’s up?” he said when Eli answered.

“Just checking to see if you’re still at the school. Cora’s made that strawberry cheesecake dessert you like. We thought maybe you’d want to walk over.”

“Too late. I’m home now. Maybe you can save me some for tomorrow.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” he joked. “When did you get home?”

“A few minutes ago.”

“Late night at work.”

“Had a few things to do.”

Eli laughed softly.

“What?” Gavin said.

“My poor little brother.”

“Stop it.”

“Fine. How’s the music coming along?”

Gavin set his dishes in the sink. “I have a gig in Santa Barbara tomorrow and Saturday. Same place as last week.”

“We haven’t been to one of your shows in a while. I’ll check with Cora, see if we’re free.”

“I’ll text you the address, if you’re serious.”

“Send it to me. Are you going to Mom’s a week from Sunday?”

As far as Gavin was concerned, that was a given. “I show up every time she cooks, don’t I? Why?”

“I invited Savanna and her kids over for a barbecue and swim party, so we’re starting a little earlier than usual.”

Gavin froze with his plate under the faucet. “You did what?”

“Mom wanted to welcome her to the area.”

“Bullshit!”

“It’s true!”

“No, it’s not. Quit playing dumb. You know I’m not in a situation to pursue a relationship with Savanna, so why are you sabotaging my efforts to do the right thing?”