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I nibble my lip, trying to think of who could have called her. Most likely my math teacher. I have class with her right after lunch. This morning, Dad was passed out, and I was so late getting to school that I forgot to pack a lunch...maybe that’s it? Maybe she heard my stomach growl?
“You can talk to me. Nothing you say—”
“Can I?”
“From what I can tell, the house is clean, and you’re eating, right?” I nod, knowing full well the only reason I’m not skin and bones is because I make sure I eat, but I can’t let her know that.
“Your English teacher said you were upset. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Oh, there it is. She’s not wrong. I was upset.
English is my first class, and on the way to school, I had a run-in with the asshat who lives a few trailers down. I got marked tardy, and to make it worse, I left my homework at home.
“Do school social workers usually do house calls?”
“No,” she admits, and I’m almost shocked that she fesses up to it.
“Why am I so lucky…” There’s a bite to my voice that I know doesn’t belong there. She’s trying. She cares.
At least one adult does. Not true. There’s that nice old couple. The wife makes me cookies sometimes. If only they were my family. I’d much rather live with them.
“I know it may seem like a hassle, but I’m here to help. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there’s anything you need or any concerns you have.”
I look down, feeling a flicker of vulnerability. “Thanks. I guess it’s good to know someone cares.”
And I know she does. The thing is, I’m better here than living in the car again. Sure, things suck, but I can handle it. But maybe somewhere there’s a child who can’t.
Not everyone is lucky to have someone checking in, like Aiden...
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” I clear my throat. “Not like I can play the role of fake girlfriend for the rest of my life…” I raise a brow. “What else should we discuss?” I say, trying to get my mind off the day this will all end and we’ll go our separate ways. Again.
“As a formality, I should probably remind you that you signed an NDA. For all intents and purposes, you are my girlfriend, and nothing about the way I live is to ever be spoken about by you to anyone.”
My head jerks back, and I screw up my nose. “I won’t… I wouldn’t.” I have to reel myself in and remember that he’s just doing his due diligence. It’s smart because he doesn’t know me. Doesn’t know that I’m the girl who’s always held his secrets.
I take a deep breath, calmer than moments ago. “I won’t air any of your secrets. Ever. You have my word on that.”
“You want to remain in a positive light with people.”
“Yes. It’s imperative that I don’t get a bad name through this.”
He takes a deep breath. “You know I’ll shelter you as much as I can.”
His words hit me in the gut. He didn’t shelter me before. Will he now?
Can I trust him?
No.
That’s the thing about trust. Once it’s gone, it leaves a hole that can’t ever be filled.
But that doesn’t stop me from not being willing to abandon him, despite the fact that he did that to me.
“But the media does like to tear women apart, so you never can tell. Since I’ve never dated before, you’ll be under a microscope.”
Wonderful. I have a feeling I know where this is leading, and I can’t say it’s not a bit humiliating.
“I have something for you,” he says, moving toward the bedroom.
