Gabe
A week had gone by without any contact with my father. I’d changed my phone number again just in case and called all my credit card companies to make sure he hadn’t somehow used old power of attorney paperwork to get on anything that wasn’t legally his.
I was safe.
Another fire was put out — for now. Hell, it was put out as long as he didn’t find me — as long as he didn’t connect the dots. Which he would. One day. One day the dots would maybe connect themselves. Shit, I was losing it.
Now all I had to deal with was Saylor working at the group home.
I’d already decided it would be pointless for me to stay behind on the days she worked at the home. If anything, it stressed me out more because she was that close to exposing everything about me. One slip and a quick search on the Internet and I was done.
Four years of hiding. Gone.
With a sigh of resignation, I walked up to the building and found Martha. “Hey, thanks for meeting with me.”
“Sure.” She smiled warmly. “You want some coffee, kid? You’re not looking so good.”
“Aw…” I pressed my hand to my heart and smiled. “You wound me. How do you think that makes me feel?”
“You’ll survive,” she said dryly, eyebrows arching as she set her own white foam cup down on the table and leaned forward. “So, what’s going on, boss?”
“Ha!” I rolled my eyes. “Good one.”
“If the shoe fits.”
I cleared my throat and changed the subject. “I want to up the security on the place.”
“I see.” She tapped her nails against the counter. “Is there a reason?”
“Do you need one?” I snapped.
Her face fell. “Gabe, what’s going on, honey?”
I stood abruptly. “Nothing to worry about.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am,” I said smoothly. “Just call the security company. I’m sure they can add two men to the front entrance. Make sure everything goes on lockdown during all hours, so we don’t have anyone coming on or out who isn’t approved. Oh, and I’m going to start helping with the volunteer program.”
Martha coughed. “Are you firing me?”
“Not at all.” I sighed in relief. “I need you, Martha, you know that. I just, I don’t trust that Saylor girl. I mean, we don’t really know much about her and she’s too close to—”
“—Princess.”
“Yeah,” I croaked.
“Well…” Martha stood. “As I said, you’re the boss so what you say goes. But Gabe…
I looked up into Martha’s blue-grey eyes. I’d known her for a long time. She’d never asked anything of me, not when I made crazy changes or asked for things that sounded impossibly stupid. “Yeah?”
“You know I’m always here if you want to talk.”
Ha, if only she knew how many offers I had on that front. Talking was not what I needed.
“Thanks.” I licked my lips. “I’ll remember.”
With a sad nod, she walked out of the room.
Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair and looked at the clock on the wall. It was ten till. Saylor would be arriving any minute.
I could do this. I had to.
Closing my eyes, I reminded myself why I was choosing to put myself in her life — when really I wanted to run in the other direction, because Wes had been totally right.
I was attracted to her… and that was a feeling I hadn’t had in a really long time. The last time I’d acted on my feelings, things had gone horribly wrong.
Besides. It would never happen.
Because I still had Princess.
And that was the problem. I hated that I wanted something I couldn’t have, and Saylor? I wanted her, very, very much.
Chapter Twenty
Watching someone you love go through difficult times is like being trapped in your own body but paralyzed. You want to yell at them, scream, help them, but your body won’t move, and you know that no matter how hard you try, in the end, the path is theirs to choose. You can’t choose for them. What a terrifying concept, especially considering we hardly see every option when we’re stuck in our own self-defeat. Sometimes, I just want to yell, “Look up!” But it always seems the time I say that, is the time Gabe closes his eyes. —Wes M.
Saylor
I forced a smile as I greeted the security guards at the door and made my way to the sign-in desk.
Martha eyed me briefly before asking for my cell phone and sending me on my way.
I was planning on showing everyone a musical for my instruction today to get them excited about learning a few new songs, so at least I wouldn’t have to stand in front of everyone and talk, not that I minded it. It was just kind of stressful, and ever since Gabe’s outburst about me being ugly — well, let’s just say I was feeling a bit self conscious.
I’d even thrown away that stupid sweatshirt.
At least I didn’t look homeless anymore.
I pulled open the metal doors to the game room.
And almost turned and ran.
Gabe was fidgeting with the TV/DVD player, while a few of the residents sat around and waited.
My palms started sweating as I took a few cautious steps toward them. Okay, don’t freak out, he’s probably just helping set up the movie for me.
When I reached the front of the room, I forced myself to give him a friendly smile as I tapped on his shoulder.