“Hey.”
Startled, I scream, my hand clamping over my mouth in embarrassment.
“Back up!” Dad yells. “You’re fucking huge and scaring her.”
The player skates back with his hands up and eyes wide.
“I’m really sorry. Shit. I didn’t think I’d scare you.”
The player has dark hair and blue eyes. I can tell he’s as freaked out by my reaction as I am by his sudden appearance.
“It’s fine,” I say, dropping my hand to brush away tears. My makeup has got to be a fucking wreck at this point.
“No,” he says. “It’s not. I forget how big we all are. Take a deep breath, yeah?”
I realize it’s really hard to breathe, and I look for my dad. I’m panicking.
“I got you. It’s time to go,” Dad says, grabbing my bag and helping me up. “I fucked up. Alright, boys. I’m headed out. Get home safe.”
It’s hard to get my legs to work properly as I struggle to make it out on my own steam, and then my dad is picking me up.
“Let it out,” he says, his legs making short work of the hallway.
Everything from today comes crashing down, and I sob as I hide my face.
“Gerry, can you help me with the door, please?” he asks, not slowing down.
The security guard shoves open the door for us, and my father thanks him as he walks out.
“What else happened today?” Dad asks. “You have every right to tell me it’s just being here if that’s the case. I noticed your mascara was smudged earlier, though.”
“You notice everything,” I wail.
“I’m lucky you were never the type of kid that liked to sneak out,” he chuckles. “It wouldn’t have gone well for either of us. I memorized everything about you before you left the house this morning just in case something happened.”
Ugh, I hate that my dad worried I might get kidnapped when I left the house today. The world is so fucked up.
“I had a rough day,” I sniffle. “Dad, I can walk.”
“Don’t care,” he shrugs. “Please continue.”
Breathing deeply, I feel better now that I’m outside. It’s the change of scenery. Deciding to enjoy having him carry me, I explain what happened today.
“He fucking chased you?” Dad growls.
“There was someone who stopped him,” I remind him. “I think I need to carry pepper spray. I love my knife, but stabbing people regularly may drive up your blood pressure.”
“Oh, it definitely will,” he grumbles. “Stun guns are legal here. I’ll buy you one. If anyone steps into your bubble, they deserve your wrath.”
I like the way he thinks.
3
CAELIA
“Pizza is here!” Dad yells from downstairs.
The first thing I did when I got home was shower and put on pajamas. We decided to order pizza instead of going out because I’m not in the mood to be around people.
