Page 27 of His Ex's Little Sister
“We’ll keep an eye on him while you get your friend home,” Leo says with finality, heading outside. Damn straight I’m taking her home, whether she likes it or not. Even if I have to follow her in myvehicle.
I turn to face Robin. She’s still shaking like a leaf. Every instinct inside me is itching to pull her into my arms and hold her tight. “Christ. That’s your boyfriend? No wonder you won’t give me the timeofday.”
“Ex-boyfriend,” shecorrectsme.
“How long ago did you twobreakup?”
“Almostayear.”
“And did good ole Dave getthememo?”
She runs frantic hands through her hair, eyes still fixed on the door. “Forget about it, okay. I just want togohome.”
“Are you sure you’ll be finethere?”
“Yes,” she answers, but there’s nothing positive in hervoice.
“Will you bealone?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not a good idea, Robin. Look at you. You’re scared of this guy. Can I at least take you to your parents’ place, or afriend’s?”
“My folks are away. My best friend is too. I’ll be allright.”
“I won’t let you face this guy by yourself. I’m betting he’s out there, sitting in his car, waiting to get you alone so he canconfrontyou.”
She absent-mindedly runs the fingers of her left hand down her right wrist. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Eventually, he gets the hint and leaves. And when he doesn’t, it’s just a matter of reinstating another temporary restrainingorder.”
“Jesus, Robin. I have a real problem with that. He shouldn’t be showing up in the first place. Wait a second. Has he…has that bastardhurtyou?”
“I need to get home,” she announces, avoiding my question. “It’s none of yourbusiness.”
“I’m making it mybusiness.”
“Look, you don’t have any reason to do that. You’re not my friend, you’re not family, you’re not even a coworker. Just let it go. I can take care ofmyself.”
“You know I can’t do that,Robin.”
“Then you’re no different from him,” sheshouts.
This woman is testing my patience right now. “I’m nothing like him. Can I at least walk you to your car and make sure you get home in one piece? I’ll drive my own car, and I’ll only wait a few minutes. I’ll even stay outside your place. You don’t have to letmein.”
She mulls it over for some time, and looks up atme. “Okay.”
“Good. Let’s get you outofhere.”
I take her hand again and lead her outside. Leo and Beau are in the parking lot waitingforus.
“Ishegone?”
“Yeah,” Leo answers. “It took someconvincing.”
“Thanks. Did you get his platenumber?”
“Got it. He was driving a red Jeep GrandCherokee.”
“I’ll keep aneyeout.”
