Page 44 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

He can detect her trembling and knows he’s put the pieces of her puzzle together. “Do you think he’s chasing you? Is that why you were running in the middle of the night?”

She finally tries to speak. “I really don’t think he could give a shit about me, so no. I think he might miss the car though. It’s the gopher.”

That was unexpected. “Gopher?”

She’s wiping at her tears again, reaching for more tissues. “Yeah. Edward is Eddie. He’s the lead singer of The Kings. You’ve probably never heard of them before but…”

“You mean the band The Kings that started out a few years ago in New Orleans and has been touring with several larger bands? I think they were the opening act out in DC when I went to see Matchbox 20.”

Hallie’s face lights up. “Hey, I was at that concert. Isn’t it cool we were both there?”

Troy isn’t as impressed. “I’ve heard some not-so-great things about his off-stage antics. I’m hoping it was all just gossip-rag shit.”

“I doubt it. Eddie loved to call the paparazzi on himself. He used to say it was free advertising. It made him feel important.”

“Sounds like a real smart guy… not.”

“Well, his brains aren’t his best quality.” Hallie blushes beet red after she realizes what she’d said. Troy wants to punch something when he thinks of this young woman in the clutches of an asshole like Eddie Kingston.

He tries to bring the conversation back to safer territory. “So Gopher?”

“Right. We used the car when we needed to make short runs for supplies. It was a pain to have to drive the tour bus around town for stuff like groceries.”

“Ah. Gopher. Well, he can call a fucking cab now.” Hallie looks surprised at his choice of words and Troy realizes he needs to rein his temper in. “So, you ready to go out and talk to everyone? The sooner you get through explaining what happened, the sooner you can get back to bed and get more rest.” “Do I have to?”

“I’m afraid so. It won’t be so bad. We’ll all be there to help you.”

She gets a reticent look on her face. “You too? I mean… you’ll be there?”

Hallie’s long hair has fallen softly around her heart-shaped face. The winter sun illuminates the patch of light freckles that dot her cheeks. She looks so young and Troy hates the pang of vulnerability in her eyes. It makes him want to pound on his chest and drag her back to his mancave to protect her and…

Don’t go there, old man. She’s over ten years younger than you.

“I guess that’s up to you, Hallie. I don’t want to upset you… like last night.”

The energy is charging between them as they each remember the odd circumstances of how they met less than twelve hours earlier. Troy worries she’s going to bolt from the room as she recalls the spanking she’d interrupted. He’s relieved with her quiet reply. “It won’t upset me… I mean, if you want to be there, that is.” Her voice betrays how emotionally frail she is.

She needs a friend. He can be that. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Troy holds out his hand as an official peace offering. She stands stock-still, staring at his open palm, a pensive look on her face. He’s amazed when Hallie slowly slides her hand into his. Based on the events of the previous twelve hours, Troy is surprised she’s not running from the room instead.

They both stand and stare at how one hand so large, the other so small could fit each other so neatly, fingers intertwining together perfectly. Troy’s gaze moves to her face, waiting for her to look up and satisfied that when she does, he sees no fear in her green eyes. Progress has been made. “Let’s go get ‘em, shall we?”

She rewards him with what he suspects might be a rare smile. He feels privileged to witness it.

Troy leads Hallie from the room, down the hall and into the open living space. They must stand there for thirty seconds before they’re noticed in the craziness. Aunt Gina’s piercing scream of “Haaalllliieee!” manages to bring an end to all conversation.

Hallie shoots him a nervous glance as she squeezes his hand for moral support. She waits, glued to her spot, for her aunt to bowl her over. Gina scoops her up into her arms and Troy is forced to release Hallie’s hand as she’s pulled away.

Adam isn’t far behind. Now that they’re closer, Troy vaguely remembers meeting the couple at the picnic last summer. His impression of them at the time was that they’re good people and for that, he’s relieved. The protective look in Adam’s eyes as he watches his wife and niece hugging tells Troy everything is going to be okay for Hallie.

Gina is looking over her niece like she would were she about to buy a new car. She circles Hallie, tsking the whole while. Hallie throws an embarrassed glance Troy’s way and he gives her a supportive smile. In the end, Hallie handles the inspection with grace, even when her aunt starts talking about how she’s going to have to fatten Hallie up now that she’s going to be living with them.

Troy doesn’t miss the concerned look passed between Brent, Jason and Lelo. He wonders what it’s about. He doesn’t have to wait long.

Brent speaks first. “Adam, maybe we should convene an emergency Housing Board

meeting to talk about this a bit later this afternoon.”

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