Page 23 of I Don’t Need Your Protection (Harrington Bay Academy #1)

Addie

“And you’re going to run around town with him?”

I try not to groan as I shove my laptop into my backpack and throw it over my shoulder.

“It’s a school project , Caleb. We’re supposed to convince investors to invest in our company.

As you should know, since you have the same assignment.

” I lift my brow at him. “How exactly are you planning to get investors?”

“That’s my business.”

“Right.” I make my way to the door. After closing my hand over the knob, I turn to him. “Are you going to follow me?”

He wears an emotionless expression as his eyes focus on me. “Do you even have to ask that question?”

“Don’t you think I’m in good hands with Warner?” I ask with an innocent smile.

His jaw twitches. “I trust that guy as much as I trust a rabid dog.”

I sigh. “C’mon, Mr. Big Muscles. Can’t I have some time alone with him?”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “Over my dead body.”

I close my eyes as I release a breath from my nose. I get that it’s his job to protect me, and yes, Warner and I will be going out in public for a few hours, but knowing my bodyguard is monitoring my every move makes me feel like I’m in prison. I wish he could lay off the reins just a little bit .

“This conversation is a waste of time,” Caleb says. “Can we get this over with?”

I grumble as I open the door and march to the stairs.

Since it’s after school hours and Caleb can technically be seen in the girls’ dorm, he doesn’t have to hide in the shadows.

But he does so anyway because I bet the last thing he wants is girls getting in his way.

Which would be great for me, but obviously not for him.

I’m supposed to meet Warner outside the dorm, but he’s not here. I’m a little early, though, so I fold my arms at the slight chill in the air and bounce on my heels, my eyes straining toward the boys’ dorm for any sign of him.

The door to the girls’ dorm opens and closes quickly, and then a voice says, “He’s not here, huh? Big surprise.”

I spin around to glare at Caleb, but I don’t find him anywhere. When I peek behind the building, I find him leaning on the wall. “For a second, I thought you were able to turn invisible.”

“That certainly would come in handy. ”

“Uh huh.”

His eyes search my face. “Are you really excited to hang out with that guy?”

“‘That guy’ has a name.”

“I prefer not to say it.”

“I don’t get what you’re so jealous of. You’re much smarter than him and way more good-looking—” I snap my lips shut when my brain realizes what my mouth just uttered. Why the heck did I just say that?

Caleb stares at me with nothing but surprise on his face. Then he pushes off the wall and moves closer to me. “You think I’m jealous of him?”

“Well, maybe not jealous, exactly. I just don’t get why you hate him so much.

Is it only because he’s trying to get close to me?

Because you said you want me to live a normal life at this school.

Yet, you’re trying to stop me from pursuing a relationship with him?

Make it make sense, oh wise bodyguard of mine. ”

He keeps his eyes on me for a few seconds, opening his mouth like he wants to retort with something. Then he says, “Why do you always drag me into everything?”

“ I’m dragging you ? You’re the one who’s involving yourself in every aspect of my life—”

“Hey, gorgeous.”

I twist around and come face-to-face with Warner.

“Warner, hi!”

He beams. “I hope you didn’t wait long. Who are you talking to?” He moves closer and peers behind the wall. Caleb has vanished from sight. Warner raises a confused brow.

“Um…I wasn’t talking to anyone,” I start to babble. “I was just, um—”

“Talking to yourself?” he teases with a boyish smile.

“Yes! I mean, no. I mean…maybe.”

I wish I could disappear to where Caleb vanished to.

Warner chuckles. “It’s all good. Ready to land investors?”

“Totally.”

He leads me toward the student parking lot.

He passes by all the rich cars (which are basically all of them) and walks further along until the cars seem to get fancier.

I know nothing about cars, especially rich ones, so I have no idea what any of them are.

But I can tell these must be some of the most expensive ones out there.

And Warner leads me to one of the fanciest ones in the entire lot.

I just gape at it. The thing looks like it belongs in some sci-fi movie. Seriously, do cars like this actually exist?

“Isn’t she a beauty?” Warner asks with pride in his eyes. “A gift from my dad to make up for being a lousy father.”

“Are we really going to ride in this?” I croak.

“Of course,” he says with a laugh.

“I might…break it.”

He laughs again. “Of course you won’t.” He unlocks the car and rushes to the driver’s side. “Get in, Nelson.”

I carefully open the door and slide inside. Oh my gosh, the seats are so comfortable. The dashboard looks like it’s from the future. Is it possible this is secretly a spaceship and Warner is taking me to his alien home planet ?

He once again laughs as he does his seatbelt. “Your reaction is really cute.”

I’m speechless as I click my seatbelt. If this is the life I’m supposed to live once I’m no longer in hiding, I don’t think I could handle it. Warner’s family is rich, but my grandfather is the richest man in America. He might have an even fancier car than this.

Warner pulls out of the lot and heads toward town. The drive shouldn’t take that long, maybe around twenty minutes.

“What music are you into?” he asks as he turns on the radio.

I shrug. “All kinds. I don’t mind what you put on.”

“All right, then.” He puts on some rock music.

I once again glance at the mirrors to see if Caleb’s car is trailing us.

There are a few behind us, but I have no idea if any of them are Caleb’s.

But I’m sure he’s one of them. I’m tempted to ask Warner to speed up and lose the cars that are behind us, because I know his car can go very, very fast, but the last thing I need is for him to get a ticket.

Not to mention, Caleb would be super ticked off if he were to lose me, and I don’t need that kind of drama right now.

“You good?” Warner asks as he makes a turn. “You’re fidgeting.”

“Oh, um, yeah, I’m good. Just nervous about getting investors.”

He waves his hand. “You’ll see it’s a piece of cake. Powell provided us with a list of approved stores to visit. Like I told you, they do this every year and are expecting us. ”

“Yeah, but we have to have a good presentation to convince them to invest in our company. I’m sure Powell told them to be tough with us and treat us as though we’re a real company.”

He winks. “Like I said, I have faith in you.”

“Thanks, but I think you’ll have to present our business to potential investors. All you have to do is flash that charming smile of yours and they’ll invest in our company faster than you can say, ‘Your Dream Plushie.’”

He waggles his brow. “You really think so?”

“Of course. Especially if we’re targeting young women.”

He seems happy with himself, like my complimenting him makes him feel good. I don’t know why it should when nearly the entire female population at the school is obsessed with him. Does that mean he likes me and wants me to like him back?

“Hey, do you want to go to the football game with me on Friday?” he asks.

“Really? I mean, sure. That sounds like fun.”

“Hudson is on the team, you know? I try to make it to every one of his games to show support.”

“You’re a good friend.”

My phone buzzes with a text from my friends’ group chat.

Sophie: Addie, are you and Warner spending special alone time together? Or is it all lame and business-like? Please tell me you guys ran off into an alleyway and snuck in some smooches.

She adds hearts and kiss emojis.

Raven: Addie literally left her room like fifteen minutes ago.

Sophie: So? They could have driven off somewhere and kissed.

Carly: Would Warner do that, though? He’s more of a gentleman than many of the guys here.

Sophie: Hmm…good point. But wouldn’t it be so romantic ?

Raven: Again with the obsession with romance?

Sophie: Hello! None of us have gotten even close to having a boyfriend. Now we can live vicariously through Addie.

Carly: Is that better than a book?

Sophie: Real life is never better than a book! Well, maybe sometimes…

Carly: Like when a hot rich guy shows interest in your best friend?

Sophie: Exactly!

Raven: Well, there’s no response from Addie. So maybe they did drive off somewhere and are kissing under the moonlight. Not that there’s moonlight yet, but you get my point.

Sophie: Ooh, you think so? I can’t wait until she gets back so we can hear all the details of their date!

Laughing and shaking my head, I type out a response.

Addie: You guys are ridiculous!

Carly: Addie! Did you and Warner kiss?

Addie: No way! I told you you’re jumping the gun. We’re having the most unromantic conversation in the car. It’s not a date, Sophie. Not at all.

Sophie: Bummer.

“Are you texting your friends?” Warner asks.

“Yeah, sorry. They just wanted to know if…” My cheeks heat up.

He raises a brow as he glances at me. “Wanted to know if what?”

“Just if we got to town safe and sound.”

He smiles. “Your friends are very thoughtful.”

“Yeah, they’re the best.” I slide my phone into my pocket.

“You can continue texting them,” Warner says. “I don’t mind.”

“I’d rather talk to you.”

My eyes widen when I realize what I just said. Oh, wow. That was so bold of me.

His lips lift in a smile. “Thanks. I’d rather talk to you, too.”

I expect a flutter in my stomach or for butterflies to take over, but the only reaction I have is sweaty palms. I study his profile as he drives, wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

Of course I’ve thought about my first kiss like any person my age, but now that I have a potential guy in front of me…

Caleb’s face enters my mind.