Avery’s blond brows lift. “Does that mean you’re ready to sign on to help bring art programs to all our centers?”
He chuckles. “Like I’ve told you, I’m on board for whatever funding or advice you need. You want additional artists to commit to lectures and instruction? I’ll make it happen for you.”
“There’s one artist in particular who’s proving to be quite the challenge,” Avery replies, slanting him a wry look. Then she glances at me. “I’ve been working on him for months, trying to persuade him to come in and teach sometime. We have some really gifted students in the classes, and I think they could learn a lot from Jared. Besides, the kids adore him.”
“I’m not surprised.” I glance at him, unable to curb the warmth I feel toward him.
I’m not about to comment on the idea of Jared instructing a class. As wonderful as I think he’d be, I won’t add to the tension I feel coming off him right now. He’s obviously close to Nick and Avery, but I know they’re unaware of the neurological disease he’s been grappling with the past couple of years.
It’s a secret he entrusted to me, and I’ll keep it for him as long as he wants me to.
I’ll protect it, and him.
I know he hears that promise, even though I don’t speak it aloud. Our hands brush again, and this time he threads his fingers through mine.
“Let’s have a look at the new classroom equipment,” he says, his deep voice casual and nonchalant, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world for him to be holding my hand in front of his friends.
We follow Nick and Avery to a large art classroom that’s currently in use by a dozen teenage kids. Bright and spacious, it’s set up with easels and workstations for twice as many students, with skylights overhead and lots of windows providing beautiful natural light.
The kids aren’t painting today, but are instead raptly listening and watching a tattooed female artist who’s demonstrating how she works with metal sculpture.
Avery signals to the instructor with a friendly wave. “Sorry to interrupt, Lita.”
“No problem,” she says, setting down the piece of hammered metal she was displaying for the class. “We were just about to break for a few minutes, anyway.”
Some of the kids file out as we step inside, offering smiles and chatty greetings to Avery, Nick, and Jared. I’m a bit taken aback when one of the girls in the class, a petite, curvy brunette with big doe eyes and a sweet, crooked smile walks straight up to Jared and wraps her arms around him.
Immediately, I recognize the affectionate embrace is simply that. Jared chuckles, releasing my hand to return the girl’s brief hug.
“Hey, Alyssa. What’d I do to deserve this?”
When she draws away from him, tears shimmer in her eyes. “The restraining order was approved. I just found out around an hour ago. Chad isn’t allowed to come anywhere near me again or I can have him arrested.”
“That’s great news.”
She sniffles, giving him a jerky nod. “Thank you for doing it for me. If you hadn’t helped me through all the legal stuff, Chad and his stupid friends might’ve never left me alone.”
“No.” Jared rests his hands on her shoulders, looking at her intently. “You understand it wasn’t me who made this happen, right? It was you. It took real guts, Alyssa. I’m proud of you.”
She hugs him again as if she just can’t help herself. Belatedly, she notices me standing beside Jared and gives me a shy smile.
“This is Melanie,” he says. “Melanie, this is Alyssa.”
I smile back at her. “Hi, Alyssa. Jared tells me you’re a wonderful artist.”
“He said that?”
“Yes, he did. He also said he thinks you have a great future ahead of you.”
She glances at him, then smiles down at her weathered sneakers for a moment. “Okay. Well, I gotta go get some water before the class starts again. Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
“Good kid,” Nick says after she’s gone.
“They all are,” Avery adds. “All they need is a chance, and someone to show they truly care, that they can be trusted.”
“Isn’t that what we all need?” I ask, my gaze returning to Jared.
