Saving Gavin Read online

  Saving Gavin

  Oakside Military Heroes

  Kaci Rose

  Five Little Roses Publishing

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2022, by Kaci Rose, Five Little Roses Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed,

  or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording,

  or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and

  retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher, except

  in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain

  other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names,

  characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination.

  Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any

  resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies,

  events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Editing By:

  Violet Rae

  Debbe @ On The Page, Author and PA Services

  Blurb

  To all the men and women serving our country, past and present. To their friends and families who support them daily.

  Contents

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  1. Chapter 1

  2. Chapter 2

  3. Chapter 3

  4. Chapter 4

  5. Chapter 5

  6. Chapter 6

  7. Chapter 7

  8. Chapter 8

  9. Chapter 9

  10. Chapter 10

  11. Chapter 11

  12. Chapter 12

  13. Chapter 13

  14. Chapter 14

  15. Chapter 15

  16. Chapter 16

  17. Chapter 17

  18. Chapter 18

  19. Chapter 19

  20. Chapter 20

  21. Chapter 21

  22. Chapter 22

  23. Chapter 23

  24. Chapter 24

  25. Epilogue

  26. Connect with Kaci Rose

  27. Other Books by Kaci Rose

  28. About Kaci Rose

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  Now on to the story!

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 1

  Lauren

  I love the days when I start on a new case, working with someone new, and being able to help them. I love this case even more because this is the first time I’m working at Oakside.

  While I was in school, I volunteered and assisted a disabled veteran. That experience made me want to work with injured vets as a career and now is my chance.

  The patient I’ll be working with lost his sight serving his country, and I’ll be helping him learn to navigate the world again. I can’t think of a more rewarding job.

  Plus, I’ll be helping him set up with a Seeing-Eye dog, and I love anything that allows me to work with dogs. If I were guaranteed a dog as well trained as the dogs I work with, I'd get one in a heartbeat, but the job doesn't allow much time for training.

  I've been working with the hospital on the details and setting up this patient's room, and today, I’m finally meeting him. As I'm going over the details from the hospital, I barely glance at the name. I walk into his room and stop short.

  I don't need to look at the name on the file anymore because I’d know that face anywhere.

  Gavin.

  My high school sweetheart and the only man to thoroughly own and crush my heart. The only man I’ve ever loved is sitting in front of me as my new patient. How the hell did this happen?

  We broke up after we graduated from high school. Since I was going away to college, and he decided to join the military, he said he didn't want to do the long-distance relationship thing. The last time I saw him was the day before he left for boot camp. Then nothing. Not a letter or even a friend mentioning him since.

  I begged him not to break up with me and tried to show him how we could make it work. I said I’d go to school wherever he was stationed, but none of it helped. He walked away from me that day, and I haven't seen or heard from him since. Maybe if he’d known fate was going to send us a little twist, he wouldn't have walked away so easily.

  Neither of us knew then, and there's nothing we can do about it now.

  Instead of entering the room, I turn and head right back to Lexi's office downstairs. I collapse on her couch and take a minute to gather my thoughts.

  Lexi may be the owner of Oakside and my boss, but she’s also my friend. Now that she’s pregnant, her husband has added this couch for his pregnant wife.

  "I can't do this," I tell her.

  "Oh, I know some of these men can be resistant to help, but stick with it. They'll open up slowly. He just got here, so he's still coming to terms with losing his sight. The transition from the hospital to here is difficult, with a new place and new people."

  "It’s not that."

  Lexi is quiet for a moment, and when I look over at her, she’s turned in her chair to face me.

  "Then what is it?" Noah, Lexi's husband, asks as he steps into the room.

  "Gavin is my ex-boyfriend from high school," I tell her because she knows the story of Gavin and me. One girl's night with a bunch of wine led to me spilling my guts. It’s great to have someone to talk to and share.

  "The Gavin?" she gasps.

  "The one and only."

  Judging by the look on Noah's face, he has an idea of who Gavin is. I'm sure Lexi will give him the rundown, as those two have absolutely no secrets from each other. They're the kind of couple everyone wants to be, but few are lucky enough to find a partner like Noah.

  Noah is the reason Lexi started Oakside. He, too, was injured in the line of duty but had no place to continue the healing process. Lexi wasn't going to let that happen to anyone else if she could prevent it.

  "You know you're not going to like what I have to say," Lexi says after a moment.

  "I hate pep talks. I was hoping for the pity party today," I grumble.

  "No pity party. You might be the best person to get him through this. You know Easton and Paisley's story. No one could reach him until Paisley. She was the one person from his past he clung to. And from the sounds of it, you might be that one person for Gavin."

  I know she's probably right, and besides, who in their right mind is going to argue with a pregnant woman? But it doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I don't know if I’m Gavin's person to help him pull through, but I do know I'm not willing to give up on him.

  "Do you want to come for dinner after work and tell me all about it?" Lexi asks.

  "I can't tonight, but I reserve the right to come and complain at any time because I'm sure I’ll need it." I stand and give Lexi a hug before slowly heading back upstairs.

  I can do this. I have to do this.

  I tell myself this over and over with each step I take, but when I get to the lobby, I stall. I look at all the family members visiting. If Gavin had let me and not been so stubborn, I could be here as a visitor.

  I could’ve been the one to get the call he was injured and been at his side the whole time. It's not right he's been fighting alone.

  No, Lauren. Put that wall up. This isn't personal. He’s a patient. You can think about all this tonight. But right now, you need to go back in there and take care of your new patient.

  In the back of my mind, there's a voice telling me
this is exactly why he did what he did. He didn't want me waiting at home for the phone call. But it's almost worse finding out this way and knowing he didn't have anyone there for him.

  I can do this. I have to do this.

  I repeat it a few more times before I take a deep breath and walk down the hallway to his room. This time when I get to his door, I knock and tell myself it's just another patient, and that’s how I’ll treat him.

  "Who is it?"

  "My name is Lauren." His whole body goes stiff, and at that moment, a million thoughts race in my mind. Does he remember me? Everything I was going to say to keep it professional leaves my head.

  I can’t remember the rest of the speech I had prepared. So I blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind. "Lexi asked me to check on you."

  Really, Lauren? That's all you've got?

  I don't sound like the professional I know I am. I sound like the scared little girl seeing the man she loves for the first time in six years.

  "Why would she do that?" His deep voice fills the room, and for a brief moment, it’s like nothing has changed. As if I'm the same girl from all those years ago, and he's still mine. I force myself to remember that's not the case and get my head on straight.

  "I'm here to help you transition into the world without your sight and to work with you on training your Seeing Eye dog."

  He doesn't respond right away, and I wonder if he recognizes my voice. It's been years, so the chance of him remembering me is slim, yet I can’t help hoping he does.

  There's also the possibility he could kick me out of his room and request someone else. This would mean the end of our interaction, and I have so much I want to tell him now our paths have crossed again. With all my heart, I hope I’ll get that chance.

  My phone rings and a glance shows it's my son's school. Great timing, buddy. I’ll tell him this story one day, probably over drinks when he's twenty-one.

  "I have to take this. I’ll only be a moment," I tell Gavin.

  I step into the lobby, where I know he won't be able to hear me. "Hello?" I answer, expecting to get the nurse.

  "Mom? James is staying for Comic Book Club today. Can I stay too? It's free, and James has a comic book I can borrow."

  Graham’s new hobby is comic books, and there’s a club at school. I don't remember having so many after-school activities in first grade, but he’s always getting into something.

  "Yes, that's fine. I’ll text Ms. Jessica so she knows you’ll be staying after school."

  Thankfully, James’s mom is great about picking the kids up after school and watching my son for me. If her son is going, it won't be a problem for Graham to go too.

  "And Mom?" His voice is small and hesitant, which means he's nervous about whatever he wants to ask.

  "What is it, buddy?" I glance down the hallway to Gavin's room, making sure he hasn't followed me out here.

  "There’s a father-son camping trip. James has been talking about it today. His dad is going."

  "Oh, buddy. Can we talk when I get home?"

  The mom guilt hits me hard. I know the day is coming when my half-answers about his dad won't cut it anymore. I hope this isn't the day because it's more complicated than ever.

  "Yeah. Spaghetti night. Right?" His mood perks up.

  With any luck, he’ll have forgotten all about the trip by dinner tonight, and it’ll be a few more days before he brings it up again. I need to figure things out.

  "Of course, buddy. Have fun at Comic Book Club. Tell me all about it later, okay? Don't forget to tell them you’ll miss the car wash because we’ll be in Arizona visiting Grandma and Grandpa."

  Another wave of mom guilt. It won’t be a simple trip. Yet another secret that could uproot my son’s life in an instant.

  "I told them this morning. I still get to help decorate signs before we go." He's so excited, and why shouldn't he be?

  He's making friends and fitting in great at school. He’s settling into our life here better than I could’ve hoped.

  "Bye, Mom. Love you."

  "I love you too, buddy."

  We hang up, and I quickly text James’s mom about Comic Book Club. She’s more than happy for him to go, and she’s planned some special snacks after school.

  My professional and personal lives are crashing together, and I'm not sure what to do.

  Staring back down the hallway, I know I have to face the one person who ties these two lives together.

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 2

  Gavin

  I'd know her voice anywhere. It’s a voice I thought I’d never hear again. Of all the people to run into here at Oakside, I never dreamed it would be Lauren.

  Her scent fills the room. It wraps around me and makes me feel safe for a moment. Honey and strawberries with a hint of the cherry chopstick she likes to wear. It's nice to know she hasn't changed.

  Lauren is the girl I never got over. I loved her with my whole heart, and if I'm being honest, I still love her. Those feelings are as strong at this very moment as they were the day I left.

  In time, I thought we'd live our lives and realize we weren't meant to be. I'm sure she’s moved on. But apparently, my logic was horrible because those feelings were merely dormant. They aren’t gone. The moment she stepped back into the picture, there they were.

  I was a fool to think there was anyone else out there for me. Even if I didn't want to admit it, I knew it back then. I'm scared to voice it out loud now. It's been years. I'm sure she's changed, and I won't feel the same for her in a few days or weeks.

  I never thought I was good enough for Lauren, and I’m sure as hell not good enough for her now. Not that it matters, as she's probably found some great guy, finished school, and started a life. Maybe even built a family. She deserves to be happy, and I won't do anything to jeopardize it. But if she's going to be the one to help me heal and find my way out of this hellhole, I'm not turning it down.

  This is going to be heaven and hell all wrapped up in a nice neat little package. Heaven because I’ll get to be around her, and hell because she’s no longer mine.

  She's probably on the phone with her boyfriend, making dinner or weekend plans. I always wanted her happy and knew she’d date other people when we broke up. But I don't like it one bit now I’m faced with it. It was easier knowing I wouldn't see it because I wasn't here.

  But there's no one else I'd rather have at my side right now. I don’t have a long list of people that could be here for me. I grew up in foster care, and the few friends I made in the service are still deployed. She's also the last person in the world I want to see me like this. I'd rather she remember me as I was the day I walked away and ruined us.

  It's for the best she's moved on and is happy. If she isn't single, the temptation to try to start over won't be there.

  Hearing a knock on the door, I freeze. She’s back.

  But a fraction of a second later, I know it's not her. The footsteps are different, and the perfume isn't hers.

  "Hey, Gavin, I wanted to check on you before your session with Lauren," Kaitlyn says.

  She's my nurse and so much nicer than the one at the hospital. The people at Oakside seem to care more. They have more time to listen and get to know you. But Kaitlyn is also forcing me to do so much more on my own, which is annoying, even if I know it has to happen.

  "I'm good. I guess I need to get my shoes on."

  Kaitlyn walks across the room to the closet, grabs my shoes, and hands them to me. Something simple, like putting on shoes, takes me a few extra minutes, but it's a task I can do myself.

  It's funny how I take the little victories now. Putting on shoes is something most people are annoyed they have to stop and do, but it’s one of my few victories.

  "You’ll like Lauren. She'll be great at helping you get back on solid ground."

  "She’s good at anything she puts her mind to," I say without thinking.

  Kaitlyn stops moving around the room, and I instantly know I let to
o much slip. "What?"

  I sigh and shake my head. "We went to school together way back when."

  I'm not willing to admit more than that. Hopefully, she’ll drop it. Kaitlyn is good at reading a situation.

  "Oh, that's great. This is a small town, but you start to realize what a small world it is when we keep having patients run into people they know." Kaitlyn says, wrapping her hand around my wrist and taking my pulse.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, Easton, our head of security was one of the first patients here. Noah was the only one who could get through to him but only for short periods of time. Then in walks Paisley, his best friend’s sister, and now his new wife."

  We’re both quiet while she takes my blood pressure and listens with the cold stethoscope on my skin.

  "Anyway, in walks Paisley, and it's like she flipped a switch and was able to reach him on a level none of us could. Paisley says it's because we all have that one person we would walk through hell for, and it takes that person to pull us out of our dark moments. For Easton, it was Paisley. For Noah, it was Lexi. Who is it for you?"

  Lauren's face comes to mind instantly. She was the person I thought of when I was stuck on deployments or going into dangerous situations. Everything I did was to keep her safe.

  At least it wasn't all for nothing because she’s here, safe and thriving. She went to school, and she’s surrounded by great people.

  Memories of the day I left her push their way into my head.

  Neither of us had any sleep the night before, not wanting to miss a moment with each other. She thought she'd be at my boot camp graduation, and she was counting down the days. I let her believe it because I wasn't ready to lose her.

  She drove me to the bus stop in front of the recruiter's office and got out, staying on the sidewalk with me. Her hair was messy, and her lips were swollen from kissing me all night.