Page 23 of You Saw the Best In Me

My boss told me to step up more, and I have been, but today won’t be my best performance.

I promised Karina I’d bring her dessert tonight but I won’t stay long. I need to put some distance between us.

She’s infected my mind, and I don’t know how to get her out.

The memories come flooding back and I practically begged her to kiss me, breaking our pact about not letting anything happen between us again. I know she wanted to; I could read it all over her face.

Learning about her past opened up another soft spot I have for her, and if I ever see her ex-boyfriend hanging around, I’ll lose my mind.

Keeping my distance but keeping her safe is my priority.

I check my phone for new messages and have two new voicemails from Gram’s primary doctor. I roll my eyes and listen as he details the results from her recent labs.

Her sugar is high again, which means she’s not eating properly.

After work, I’ll need to stop by and check on her, reminding her for the millionth time that she needs to take the doctor’s order seriously.

As I drive to work, I reflect on everything Karina shared with me, and my whole body tenses.

The guy I saw poking around her car a few weeks ago was likely the ex.

I punch my steering wheel, pissed off at myself for not doing more at the time.

He knows where she lives and probably has followed her to work.

I remember some details about him, but not enough to take my concern to the police.

That dashcam I ordered is still sitting in its box in my backseat, and I need to get it set up immediately.

My blood is boiling; I can’t let anything happen to her, and I also can’t be this concerned about her.

I’m fighting a war against my head and heart, but either way, I feel like I’m losing.

Halfway through the day, I got a call from Harper’s school. Her principal needs me to come to pick her up immediately.

I don’t get any other details, and I don’t think this day could be worse.

“Hey, boss, I’m so sorry to do this, but I need to leave early. Family emergency,” I say to Hunter, and he looks up from his computer with concern.

“Is everything alright?” he asks, waiting for my answer.

“I’m not sure. My sister’s school called, and I need to pick her up,” I tell him, and he gives me the rest of the day off.

I rush to my truck, heading straight for the middle school.

When I arrive, Harper is waiting in the principal's office, and I need to meet with them both before we can leave.

“Hi, Maverick. You’re Harper’s guardian?” She stands to shake my hand and gestures me to the seat next to Harper.

“I’m her older brother. Our grandmother is her guardian, but she has severe medical problems,” I fill her in, and she nods.

“Well, I called you this afternoon because Harper was involved in a fight with other girls, and unfortunately, she’ll be issued a three-day suspension for her role in the events,” I stare directly at Harper, in complete shock at what I’m hearing.

“Mav, she’s got it all wrong!” Harper yells, and I wave my hand to signal her to stop talking.

“I’m so sorry. We’ll be dealing with this at home,” I stand, taking Harper by the arm and ordering her to get her things while I complete the paperwork.

I thank the secretary and take the folder of schoolwork Harper needs to finish by the time she’s allowed back at school.