Page 20 of I Don't Need Your Protection

“Best vantage point from here?” I ask as I place the fluffiest-looking pancake on my plate.

“Those girls,” he says, eyes flitting to their table. “Carly Simmons, Sophia Reed, and Raven Mitchell. Each of them is here on scholarship.”

“A notable observation,” I say as I turn around to face them. “One would never guess that just by watching them,” I say sarcastically.

“What’s their agenda?”

“Agenda?”

“Were they asking personal questions about you or your grandfather? Did you tell them anything?”

“Geez, dude, you need to lighten up. Trust me, those girls aren’t undercover agents for the bad guys. Now those popular kids on the other hand…”

He straightens up like someone poked him in the back and he pins his eyes on the popular table.

I giggle. “I’m just messing with you, Caleb. Like I said, lighten up. I saw the way some of the girls were salivating over you. It wouldn’t hurt you to have some fun, you know.”

“I’m on a job. I don’t have time for fun.”

“You sure about that? Some of those girls were really pretty.”

“Do I look like I care about that?” he asks.

I step back and give him a once-over. “You look like a guy who can use some fun.”

He shuts his eyes and releases a breath from his nose. When he opens them, he says, “I’m glad you’re in a less grumpy mood than you were half an hour ago, Addilyn.” He moves closer to whisper in my ear, “I’m here for one purpose and one purpose only. To protect you. My being on alert at all times gives you the luxury and privilege to live a normal life here. So please make use of the opportunity and enjoy your life. But…” He moves even closer, and I feel his warm breath on my ear. “Be careful what you say to those girls, and the rest of your classmates. You never know who might be a spy. Never tell them who you really are and your background. Stick to the info your grandfather provided you.”

I move my eyes to his and my breath catches in my throat when I realize how close his face is to mine. “That doesn’tseem fair,” I whisper.

“What doesn’t seem fair?”

“That I get to live my life here while you…” I glance around at the bustling room with happy voices, and I lift my hands. “Live in the shadows.”

He keeps his eyes on me for a few seconds before laughing in this pained and bitter way. “Since when is life fair, Addilyn? Addie,” he quickly corrects himself, since I’m not supposed to be referred to by my full name here.

“Of course life isn’t fair,” I say, thinking of my parents and how much I miss them. “But that doesn’t mean we have to mope around or feel sorry for ourselves. We can still find ways to be happy. Form friendships. Fall in love.”

He once again watches me for a few seconds. Then he steps away and gestures toward my friends’ table. “Breakfast will be over soon. I suggest you return to your table and finish your pancake.”

I don’t know why I don’t leave. I want to say something, but I’m not sure what. Is this the life he wants to live? Constantly shadowing people and letting them live their lives while his goes nowhere?

“Addie, return to your table. And might I suggest you keep your interaction with me to a minimum? You’re not exactly making my job easy by exposing me to your peers.” He nods to the table, where my friends are gawking at us with curious and confused expressions.

“You’re right,” I say as I move away. “Sorry for trying to treat you as a person and not just my bodyguard.”

When I return to my table, Sophie’s eyes are wide. “Who is that cute and brooding hottie you were just talking to?”

“Caleb Foster,” Carly says. “He came yesterday, just like Addie did. I gave them both a tour of the school.”

“He’s really cute,” Sophie says.

“Seems cold and aloof,” Raven observes.

“You got that right,” I mutter.

“Is he a scholarship student, too?” Carly asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know anything about him. He was just…uh…he wanted to know if the chocolate pancakes were any good.”