The man is always working. I hope one day he’ll be able to slow down, but without insurance, it would be rough. My meds aren’t cheap. While I hate how much he is gone, I also appreciate how hard he works.
The house is small with only a ten-foot by ten-foot yard. All of the houses on our street are squeezed together. I pull out my keys, sliding them into the lock. The second I open the door, the alarm starts to go off. I hurry in quickly, putting in the code.
When I turn back around, Bam is right there behind me, the door already closed behind him. For as big and broad as he is, he’s also quick and stealthy.
“I’m supposed to invite you in,” I point out.
“Want me to go stand on the porch and knock?”
“No, because I’m already going to get a call about you.” The ring camera would have caught us entering the house. No sooner are the words out of my mouth than my phone is ringing. I quickly pull it out. My dad’s name lights up the screen. This is a new record for him.
“You okay?” Dad asks the second I pick up the call.
“I’m fine, just got home.”
“I know. Who’s the man, Josie?” I knew this line of questioning was coming. I can tell Bam was not expecting it by the way his brows rise; he can hear my father through the line.
“It’s not a man,” I protest. Bam puts his hand over his chest like I insulted him. “It’s a boy from school, and he was nice enough to walk me home.” I can tell just by the sound of my father’s breathing that he doesn’t agree with me.
“Yeah, he looked nice with all those tattoos,” my father scoffs. Bam glances down to his arms, running his hand up one.
“You’re really judgmental for a man with tattoos of his own,” I point out, feeling a sense of protectiveness when it comes to Bam. Those tattoos offer him a form of protection and authority.
“I know what boys that age with tattoos are up to.” He forgets I’m eighteen. Barely eighteen but I am.
“All right, Dad.” I let out a small laugh. “He’s nice, and he’s my partner on a school project.” It’s only a white lie. It’s for the best. I don’t want to worry my father. “To be honest with you, Dad, I’m using him. He might not look it, but he’s super smart.” Bam presses his lips together to suppress a laugh. Good call; my dad doesn’t need to hear him laughing. It will piss him off, I’m sure.
“You’re super smart,” he tosses right back.
“Well, I guess that means that we will get a kick-ass grade.”
“Josie,” Dad sighs.
“Dad,” I sigh right back. “I’m good. I promise he’s sweet. Hasn’t even tried to steal a kiss or cop a feel.”
“Jesus Christ, Josie,” Dad mutters. Bam puts his hands up, stepping back.
“I love you, Dad. I’m home, and I’m good.” He lets out another deep breath.
“All right, I trust you, sweetheart, but know that if he hurts you in some way, I’ll kill him, and then I’ll go to jail.”
“Dad!” I hiss. “You think we couldn’t hide a body? You underestimate us.” He lets out a low chuckle, and I smile because it worked. I got him to cool it.
“He’s big, but I’ve got a big saw in the garage. I suppose you’re right.” I snort a laugh. “I love you, Josie; you be careful.”
We say our goodbyes before ending the call. “So.” I bounce on my heels. “That’s my dad.”
“I like him.”
“Well, I don’t think the feeling is mutual.” I drop my bag on the couch.
“I’m going to set this.”
“Oh.” Disappointment fills me that he’s leaving already. I thought he might stick around, but I’m sure he has a life of his own. “I can set it.”
“I got it.”
“But you—” I stop talking when he enters the code to rearm the alarm. “You watched me enter the code?” Bam shrugs. “Good.” I nod in approval. “See, I was right. You are smart.” The man really pays attention to things. That will come in handy.
