Page 3 of Under His Protection
Jason studies Layla for a moment. “Everything okay, sweetheart?”
She smiles. “I’m fine.”
Jason is usually by Layla’s side at all times, but today he waited outside in the car while we packed to give us somegirl time, as he calls it. He’s considerate like that. Besides, he was just a text message away in case something happened and Layla needed him. Sometimes her auditory hallucinations get the best of her.
Philip gives me a chaste kiss on my lips. “Let’s load the truck and hit the road. College dormitory, here we come.”
Effortlessly, he picks up a stack of two cardboard boxes and carries them out the door. Liam and Jason do the same.
“That’s everything,” Jasmine says, planting her hands on her hips as she surveys my room. “Are you ready for this, Haley?”
The truth is, I’m not sure. My stomach is in knots, partly from excitement and partly from anxiety. I’ve never been away from home before, other than for a sleepover at a friend’s house or a week at a girls’ summer camp.
But starting college is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’ll push through the uncertainty. I nod. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter 2 – Philip Underwood
Once we load Haley’s boxes into the back of my Ford pickup, her folks come downstairs to see her off. I hear more than a few sniffles from Haley and her mom. They’re really close.
“Please check in with me daily, honey,” Chrissy says as she hugs her daughter. “Keep me posted on how things are going.”
“I will,” Haley promises as she wipes the tears from her cheeks.
“Call me if you needanything,” her stepdad says. “I mean it, kid. You need money, you call me. If you need a ride, you call me.”
Looking like she’s on the verge of tears, Haley nods. “Thanks, Dave.” Her voice cracks. “You two take care of each other and enjoy the empty nest.”
I know they’re proud as hell of her. Not only was she the valedictorian of her high school graduating class, but she was also offered full scholarships to all of the top universities in the US. But after debating long and hard, she chose a university right here in town. The same one Layla and Jasmine attend.
I’ll admit I was relieved she chose to stay in Chicago. I was dreading the idea of her moving away, but I would have supported whatever decision she made. How could I not? I wanted the best for her even if it meant I wouldn’t be able to see her often.
She passed on a free ride toHarvard, for crying out loud, and I have no doubt it’s because ofme. I just hope she doesn’t come to regret her decision one day. It would gut me to be the one holding her back.
I help Haley up into the front passenger seat of my pickup, and my chest tightens at the sight of her teary eyes. This is anemotional moment for her—leaving the safety and comfort of her parents’ home and venturing out into the brave new world on her own.
Well, she won’t actually be on her own. She’ll have me, and I’ll probably smother her like an overprotective grizzly bear.
As Haley waves goodbye to her parents, I glance in the rearview mirror to make sure the others are behind us. They’re following us to campus in Jason’s car.
I reach for Haley’s hand and bring it to rest on my thigh. I brush the back of her hand with my thumb and marvel at how incredibly soft her skin is.
“You doing okay?” I ask as I observe her staring absently out the passenger window as we pass by the houses in her neighborhood.
She turns to me and smiles. “Yes, fine.”
I know a fake smile when I see one. “Hale, be honest, please.”
Her eyes tear up once more. “I didn’t realize it would be so emotional.”
“What? Moving out?”
She nods. “I’m leaving home.And even though they try to hide it, I know Mom and Dave are struggling with this. Last night, I heard my mom crying in the kitchen. Dave did his best to console her, saying everything would be all right, and that I had a good head on my shoulders, and I’d do fine.”
“They’re only thirty minutes away, babe. You can see them anytime you want. Just say the word, and I’ll drive you back here.”
As she turns her palm over and links our fingers together, I glance down at her pretty pink fingernails. For a moment, I envision those slender fingers on my body, stroking my chest, moving down to my—nope! Stop that right now and pay attention to the damned road.
I tighten my grip on the steering wheel as I shift in my seat to find a more comfortable position for a very inconvenient erection.
