Page 97 of I Don't Need Your Protection
I’m just confused. I told my friends I’m not giving up on Warner, but I don’t really feel excited about him anymore.
But Caleb is my bodyguard. My bodyguard that looks at me like he wants to be so, so much more.
Or am I seeing things that aren’t there?
“Ugh!” I groan.
“Addie?”
It warms my heart that he’s calling me Addie and not Addilyn. Maybe whatever wall he built between us has been broken ever since he rescued me from the rain.
“Are you okay? I heard a shout.”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
I’m smiling like a goof. I just love when he talks to me. It makes me feel all gooey inside.
I take a few minutes to calm my heart that’s galloping in my chest and leave the bathroom. Caleb stands near the bathroom, eyes on me as if he’s not sure if I’m okay or not.
I give him two thumbs up. “I’m feeling a whole lot better.”
He raises a brow. “Well enough to go to school?”
I plop down on my bed like I died.
He chuckles softly, the sound almost music-like. “I thought you like school.”
“Yeah, I do.”
But I’d rather spend the entire day with him.
My eyes widen at the thought, but then I internally shrug. Yes, I want to spend the day with the guy who goes out of his way to make sure I’m safe and protected.
“Are you hungry?” he asks. “I had one of the guards deliver us food from the dining hall while you were in the bathroom.”
I lift my head from the bed. “I thought you don’t trust the guards.”
He tilts his head to the side. “There are a select few who work for your grandfather that Idotrust. Everyone else is suspicious to me. I rely mostly on myself and ask for assistance if I need it.”
“Hmm. Okay.” I glance at the food containers on the table. “I guess I’m a little hungry.”
His smile is small. “Having an appetite is a good sign.” He gestures for us to sit down. He waits for me to lower myself on a chair before taking the one across from me.
We’re mostly quiet as we eat. I feel Caleb watching me and when I meet his gaze, he doesn’t avert his.
I smile. “So what are the plans for today?”
“The nurse told you to rest.”
“Yeah, I mean, the best thing is lying in bed in pajamas. But I can’t sleep all day. Maybe we can watch a movie orsomething.”
He thinks about it for a bit. “Sure. You can watch a movie.”
“I said ‘we.’”
He searches my eyes. “Movies are a distraction.”
