Page 125 of Stay With Me
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes. “I might be nervous, but I’m excited to talk to her.”
“We can email her tomorrow. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I whisper, excited for everything to come.
FIFTY-SEVEN
Luna
Iclosemylaptopand rest my forehead on the counter. My head hurts from all the information I read regarding getting my GED.
On top of the GED research, Abs started to teach me to drive. Noah was upset, stating who better to learn from than a cop, but I feel comfortable with Abby teaching me. I glance at the clock and see that it’s just afternoon. Noah has been outside for about two hours, doing random yard work he said had to be done.
I offered to help, but he told me I needed to stop putting off looking into GED classes.
I stand from the stool and stretch my back. I round the counter, open the fridge, and grab a beer for Noah and a water for me.
While things aren’t completely normal yet, we’re all healing one day at a time. It still feels surreal that I no longer have to fear The Family will find me.
Special Agent Hunt did say I would have to testify against The Family, but they have a solid case. I trust that between him and Noah, I’m prepared for whatever they need me to do.
Switching my water to my left hand, I open the backdoor and walk through. I freeze on the porch when I spot Noah wearing a backward hat with blond strands peeking out from the bottom.
I track his movement, his powerful body carrying around the bag of grass and weeds to the street. His athletic shorts hang off his lean hips with his white T-shirt tucked into the waistband of his shorts, showcasing his body.
I make my way down the stairs and meet him halfway to the shed.
“Hey, baby.” He reaches for the beer I have for him. “Did you get some of the information sorted about your classes?”
“I got a good chunk of it planned out. I think I can finish in about four to six months.” I take a drink of water.
“That’s great! Is it self-paced?” he asks as he grabs my hand and guides me to the shed.
When we enter, I take a look around. Long gone are the map and other photos of all the spots The Family was staying to evade the police. In their place are photos of us and our friends.
“I think I want to do a hybrid one. That way, if a subject is harder for me, I have someone in class to help me.” I hop up on the workbench while he tinkers with the lawn mower.
“Whatever you feel comfortable with, but I know you’re going to do great in all the classes.”
I stare at his back, his muscles moving as he works to change the oil. Warmth pools in my core as I watch him work.
I clear my throat, trying to concentrate. “Did you hear that Abs takes over the diner next month?”
“I knew it was going to be soon. People have started to talk about it in town. I’m glad it’s staying with someone local. I don’t think Ken would have sold any other way.”
I try to focus on our conversation and not on how good he looks doing something as simple as working on a lawn mower.
“Some of the deputies have been talking, and I think we’re going to put together self-defense classes for people of all ages.” His words break through my thoughts.
“Yeah? What brought that up? Or is this something that has been on the back burner?” I ask.
He stands and wipes his hands on his shorts. He shakes his head but doesn’t turn around. “No. The idea came to me when you were getting checked out in the hospital. I had to talk to Mike about it, who pitched it to the other departments in the tri-county area.” He slowly turns to face me. “For too long, we’ve lived a life where we kept our heads in the sand. We believed stuff like that couldn’t happen in any of our towns. Which is the worst kind of thinking.” He walks toward me, and I open my legs, my sun dress creeping up my legs. “I went to school in a big city. I worked for a year in that same city. One thing they taught us was that crime happens everywhere. After years of working back here, I didn’t think it could touch us, but then it did. First with Amelia and then with you. If we can help one person know how to defend themselves, it will make me feel better.”
My eyes soften. He loves Jess and me as well as the town and its people. I knew he still blamed himself, but I didn’t realize to what extent. His eyes are downcast as his arms bracket me in.
I bring my hand to his cheek. “Please look at me,” I plead.
He hesitates a moment before lifting his red-rimmed eyes to mine, and my heart shatters. “I’m so sorry I let them get to you.” His voice is low and rough. “Maybe if I would have spent more time showing you how to protect yourself better, maybe you wouldn’t have been taken at all.”
