And neither is mine.
“I’ll talk to Maren about it,” I say, when Molly stays quiet for a few moments. “And until then,” I flip my console open and grab the pepper spray. “Don’t be afraid to use this, if he gets too close.”
“Seriously?” She takes it from me. “I’ve been practicing with somethingmuchmore lethal since I was like sixteen, and you’re going to make me?—”
“You don’t need anything else,” I cut her off.
You’re too impulsive. You’ll end up doing something you regret. You’re too much like me.
But I keep those thoughts to myself.
Chapter 10
Jenna
Mom:Are you sure everything is good?
I glance around the shitty, mostly empty studio apartment I’m renting on a monthly basis now, my stomach swirling with nerves.
Me: Yes. I’m sure. Call you later. Love you.
I send the text before I can change my mind about it and slip out the door. I hadjustenough time to run home, shower, and change before going to the tutoring session at the Bradford’s place.
And honestly? I have no idea why I felt the need to do all that.
But something about being around a bunch of college kids all day makes me feel grimy. Or maybe I just wanted to, for a moment, feel like I’m Jenna Kellan. Not Dr. Jenna Williams, the snooty lit professor.
Which is why I opted for my jeans, sweatshirt, and sneakers.
I head out then, locking the crappy door behind me. Sliding into my car, I take a deep breath and turn the key. The engine hums to life, a small comfort in the creeping dread I can’t seem to shake.
Everything is going to be fine.
I repeat that as I navigate the empty streets. The drive to the Bradfords isn’t long—maybe twenty minutes—but every turn makes my nerves spike. I rehearse what I’ll say to Molly, how I’ll guide her through her essay. I’ll be professional.
Professional.
The word tastes bitter in my mouth for some reason.
The road to the Bradfords’ winds through a patchwork of fields of trees, and soon I’m greeted by the sight of their log cabin perched on a slight hill, smoke curling from the chimney. It’s picturesque, and I can’t help but notice the way it’s almost so welcoming that it seems ironic.
Especially given that I have no idea what kind of gatekeeper Calvin Bradford will be. He doesn’t seem like the trusting type.
Still, I pull up and park along the gravel driveway. I sit for a moment, exhaling slowly. The cabin’s warm light spills into yard, casting shadows across the ground. I gather my notes, double-check them, and take another breath.
I can do this. It’s just tutoring. I’m just getting a feel for everything tonight.
That’s it.
As I note the black truck and Jeep in front of me, the front door swings open. Molly bounds out like she’s been waiting for me forever, and I force myself to exit my own car.
“You made it!” she says, a smile on her face. “I already have the coffee ready for you. It’s totally freezing out here.”
“Yeah,” I give her a nod, clutching my tutoring materials as I head toward the front porch. I only made it three years into being an English major before I dropped out.
And I’m hoping like hell it’s enough to get me through this.
“My dad is somewhere around here,” Molly starts talking as soon as my feet land on the composite wood decking. “He’s totally the avoidant type, you know?”
