Page 199 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
Mom trembles, dropping her hands from around us. “Whoever saw you on Main Street must’ve leaked it to the press.”
I think about those girls at the park. When I pushed Wyatt away from them, I can imagine them whipping out their phones and recording us. “Ugh. Or they put it online.”
Wyatt moves toward the closed curtain, but Mom and I block his path.
“You don’t have to look,” Mom says softly.
“But it’s my problem,” Wyatt replies. “Not yours.”
“I’m sorry,” I utter, tears blurring my vision of him. “It’s my fault they’re all here.”
Wyatt smiles gently. “No, it isn’t. They’re here for me.”
“But I...”
“It’s my fault,” Wyatt whispers. “I should’ve known better than to leave the house.”
Mom sighs. “We don’t want you feeling like a prisoner.”
Dad pounds on our side of the front door. “Get off my property!” Dad catches his breath, red-faced. “I was not expectingthiswhen I got home.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bartlett,” Wyatt rushes. “I never meant...”
“Don’t,” I cut him off. “It’s all me. If I didn’t skip school, theywouldn’t be here. Ugh. I feel sick.”
Wyatt wraps an arm around me as Dad dashes past, checking out the scene from the front window.
“This isn’t safe,” Dad utters.
“Of course, it isn’t,” Mom murmurs, making her way to his side. “But what can we do?”
“Duh.” Casey’s eyes roll hard. “Call the police.”
Dad snaps his fingers. “Of course. They’re trespassing.”
“I’ll let it slide, considering you’re in shock,” Casey mutters.
Dad pulls his phone from his pocket, but his fingers are shaking so much that he fumbles and drops the phone onto the carpet.
Mom bends down to scoop it up, and Dad’s expression crumbles.
“Daniel?” Mom questions with trepidation, holding back the phone.
Dad gestures at the window. “This is after one day of you being here.”
My core jitters when Dad’s gaze lands on Wyatt.
“We can get rid of them today,” Dad continues, “but what happens tomorrow?”
Wyatt nods, swallowing hard. “I know. I’m sorry.”
I clasp Wyatt’s hand hard. I don’t want him to be sorry. It’s not fair.
“We can’t do this.” Dad pulls his arm around Mom. “I know you didn’t plan this, but I can’t put my family’s safety in jeopardy.”
“Dad,” I utter, stepping in front of Wyatt. “What are you saying?”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, his aged skin paling. “Wyatt, we have to rethink you staying here.”
