Page 25 of I Don’t Need Your Protection (Harrington Bay Academy #1)

Addie

It’s Friday evening and Raven and Carly are digging through my closet while Sophie’s sprawled on my bed with two books. She takes turns reading from both of them.

I have less than an hour to get ready for my date with Warner. If it can even count as a date. Does he see it as one? I’ve never been out with a guy before, so I have no clue.

“You have such nice clothes, it’s hard to choose the perfect one,” Carly says from somewhere in my closet.

“What does a girl wear to a football game, anyway?” Raven asks. “You want to look pretty, but not overdo it.”

“Classy but cute,” Carly says. “I think I found the perfect top. Now for jeans…”

“Does it even matter what I wear?” I ask from where I sit on the floor, leaning against my bed. “Shouldn’t he like me for me? ”

Carly emerges from the closet with Raven at her heels. “Well, yeah, but you still want to look good.” She hands me the outfit. “You’ll knock him dead with this.”

I frown at the outfit. “Knock him dead?”

Raven laughs. “You’ll look so beautiful he won’t know what hit him.”

“As long as I’m comfortable, I don’t really care. Thanks.” After giving them quick hugs, I change in the bathroom and put on some makeup. Once I’m done, I turn to my friends. “How do I look?”

“Like you’ll knock him dead,” Raven tells me.

Smiling, I glance at my reflection in the full-length mirror.

I do look cute. The top is soft pink and I’m wearing light blue jeans.

That paired with matching pink shoes and I’m good to go.

Not too fancy and not too plain. Even Sophie glances up from her books to compliment me on how amazing I look.

“Thanks. You guys are so good at this,” I tell my friends.

Carly waves her hand. “We try.” She glances at the clock on the wall. “Ooh, it’s almost time for your date. Are you meeting Warner outside?”

“Yeah. I should get going.”

My friends hug me, wish me luck, and tell me to have a good time. Considering I don’t know much about football, I hope I’ll enjoy Warner’s company more than the game.

My friends and I leave my room. They turn toward their rooms while I make my way to the exit of the dorm.

Glancing around, I take in the kids strolling around, everyone going to whatever plans they made for tonight. I don’t see Warner anywhere. I guess he hasn’t arrived yet.

I sit down on a bench outside the girls’ dorm and wait.

Caleb sits on a bench a few feet away from me, scouting the area for any strange activity. So far, everyone is just chatting and laughing. No one looks suspicious. He doesn’t relax, though. He’s on alert.

I understand why he’s acting this way. Many people will be coming to the football game tonight. I haven’t had a good look at the stadium yet. Truthfully, it never really interested me. I’m only going to the game because Warner invited me.

Caleb’s eyes meet mine and he watches me for a bit.

We haven’t spoken much since he complimented me the other day.

I give him a small wave and a smile. He continues to watch me, his eyes a bit squinted.

I have no idea what he’s thinking about.

Does he maybe feel left out because he’s all alone?

Does he want to participate in school activities?

Studying him for a few minutes, I don’t get the sense that he feels left out. More like he’s a man on a mission. Maybe the only thing on his mind is keeping me safe.

“Addie?”

I glance up and find Warner standing there. He looks like he called my name more than once. My cheeks redden because I didn’t notice he was even here. I was too busy thinking about my bodyguard.

I leap to my feet. “Warner! Hi.”

He grins. “Sorry I’m late. Were you waiting long?”

“No, not much.”

“Cool. Ready to go? ”

We walk toward the football field on the other side of campus. No wonder I’ve never been here. It’s a long walk.

I sense Caleb following a few feet behind us.

Can feel his eyes on me. On Warner. I try not to roll my eyes.

He’s actually been pretty okay with the whole Warner thing lately.

He didn’t make faces when I talked to him or hung out.

Or maybe he was just keeping his frustration to himself.

But whatever. I’m here to have a good time with Warner.

“What are you thinking about?” Warner breaks my thoughts.

I blink. “What? Um…just that I feel kind of lame because I don’t know anything about football. Sorry.”

He chuckles. “Many girls here don’t. That’s okay. I’d rather talk about other things than football. We’re just going to support my buddies and because I want to spend time with you.”

I smile, waiting for the butterflies to come, but they don’t. No stomach tingling or chills. Nothing .

Maybe some relationships aren’t like the movies. Maybe most people just get along and don’t feel those sorts of things.

Yet…my mind travels to Caleb and how it feels different when I’m around him. Even though we bicker and he annoys the crap out of me, I still feel like I want to be close to him. To talk to him. Look at him. Think about him.

I quickly shake those thoughts away.

“What are you arguing with yourself about this time?” Warner asks, humor attached to every syllable.

“Oh…nothing.” I force a laugh. “It’s not important. ”

Warner points to the mass of people making their way to the football stadium. Dang. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a huge crowd before.

“They’re all here for the game?” I wonder.

“Harrington Bay’s got a killer football team. Didn’t you notice all the trophies in the office building?”

I haven’t been in the office since my first day. With everything that was happening, I didn’t have a chance to get a good look at the place. “No, not really.”

“It’s cool. The guys are under so much pressure. Harrington Bay barely loses. It’s like death if we don’t win.”

My eyes widen. “Wow. Really? But it’s just football.”

He shrugs. “We’ve got a legacy here we need to uphold. Principal Harrington takes it very seriously. It’s like she owes it to her great-great-grandfather or something.”

“I get it. It’s like tradition. Something that connects her to her ancestors.”

He shrugs again. “I guess.”

A crowd has gathered as we approach the stadium. I glance around, but don’t see Caleb. I hope he hasn’t lost me.

“Is there enough seats for everyone?” I ask Warner.

He snickers. “Nope. But I reserved us some seats, so we should be okay.” He winks. “Special Warner Hearst privilege.”

I lift a brow. “Oh? What kind of privilege?”

“Well for starters, I’m best friends with the top players. And I’m me, you know?”

Right. The most popular guy at school. But the only thing on my mind is, where will Caleb sit ?

We walk deeper into the stadium and Warner leads me to our seats on the bleachers.

We’re toward the front and should have a good view of the game.

Warner slaps some of his friends’ hands before we sit down.

Clarissa and her friends are seated in this area as well.

She waves to me with a smile, which I return.

I search for Caleb, but don’t see him anywhere. I start to panic because I don’t know what to do in case my life is in danger. Like, who do I turn to? Where do I go?

“I’m here,” a voice whispers from behind me. A shiver rushes down my back as I feel a warm breath on my ear.

Turning my head slightly, I catch Caleb sitting in the row behind me. My body sags with relief because he’s nearby.

He nods when our gazes connect. It’s like he’s telling me to relax and enjoy myself. I smile in gratitude, but I can’t help feeling bad. Will he enjoy himself?

I don’t have much time to worry about him because the game starts. The crowd goes wild when the team runs onto the field. Warner’s on his feet and whooping as the game goes on. I have no clue what he’s so excited about, but what I gather is that our team is winning.

I’m a little disappointed. I guess I thought he and I would talk more, but now I realize it’s pretty impossible to do that in the loud crowd. The important thing is that we’re spending time together. And I’m learning more about him. Like how much he loves football.

Warner fetches some shakes for us from the truck stationed near the stadium. There are many such trucks and people have been loading up during the game. He offers to get me some food as well, like hotdogs, popcorn, and candy.

I peek behind me at Caleb and I once again feel bad for him.

He doesn’t have any food or drinks. And I know he won’t leave my side for a second to get some.

Nodding to him, I gesture for him to take what I’m offering him.

He glances around to make sure no one is watching and sighs in irritation before bending forward and accepting my small bag of popcorn and whatever is left of my drink.

I know he’s only pretending to be annoyed with me.

He’s thankful for the food, just like he was at the pizzeria, even if he didn’t show it.

“Harrington Bay Academy wins!” the announcer calls.

Warner cheers, then pulls me into his arms. My nose crashes into his chest as he squeezes the life out of me.

“Sorry,” he says as he pulls back. “I got a little excited. You okay?”

I take in a few breaths. “I think my lungs are still working.”

As he continues to cheer along with his friends, it dawns on me that I didn’t feel anything when he hugged me. No warmth or excitement or giddiness. Nothing.

Why is that? I like him. And I think he likes me. So why aren’t my feelings working?

Maybe I just don’t have such feelings…but then how can I explain how they kick into action when Caleb is nearby?

Warner makes plans to hang out with his friends and the team. He invites me to join him, but I decline. I don’t feel comfortable around his friends and I know they won’t accept me. Even though Clarissa has been nice to me, I’ll still feel out of place.

He looks a little bummed, but he tells me he’ll catch me later and dashes to meet his friends. I watch him go, seeing how natural he is with the large crowd. Could I ever fit into that world? Will I be just like them when people eventually find out who I really am? Will I lose myself?

“I think it’s best we get going, Addilyn,” Caleb says as he leans on the wall near the entrance to the stadium. There are many people here, so he must think it’s safe for us to talk because no one will pay attention to us.

I’m still watching Warner and his friends. Caleb follows my gaze, his eyebrows furrowing. “If you’d like to go out with those kids, I won’t stop you.”

I shake my head, pulling my gaze away from them. “No, I already told Warner I’m going to my room.”

“All right. After you.”

He trails me back to the dorm. Because it’s late, he can’t be seen entering. So he disappears in the shadows and then he’s suddenly walking alongside me, but he hides behind the plants and statues.

“How do you even do that?” I ask once we’re in my room. I plop down on my bed while he takes his chair.

“Do what?” he asks.

“Hide like that. I mean, you’ve been sleeping in my room for two weeks and no one has caught you yet. Or when you sneak out of my room.”

He lifts a brow. “Do you want someone to catch me in the hope you’ll get rid of me? ”

I frown. The thought of him not being here makes my heart sink a little. I guess it’s because I’m so used to having him around. And I’d feel a little unsafe without him.

I sit up. “No. I’m serious. How is it that you’re so good?”

“Years of training.”

“Right. You’ve said that before. But what would happen if you do get caught? Like, will I not be protected anymore?”

He studies me for a bit, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. “No one will catch me.”

“You’re that confident?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… well, let’s see how good you are.”

I get up and make my way toward him. He keeps his eyes on me, his expression telling me he has no idea what I’m up to.

I shoot my fist toward him, aiming for his shoulder. He’s on his feet in an instant, grabbing my arm, and pinning me over the chair. His chest is on my back, and he’s clutching me so tightly, I can’t move.

“Ow. Okay. You’re good. Can you let go now?”

He eases his grip, but doesn’t let go. Instead, he pulls me toward the wall and presses my back to it. His lips are only a few inches from mine. His eyes drop to my mouth before meeting my gaze.

Bending close, he whispers, “Sorry if I hurt you. But know this: When someone raises their fist at me, I see it as a threat and I react. Swiftly and forcefully. That’s how I’ve been trained.

So…” He tucks some hair behind my ear, sending tingles down my spine.

“You can be assured that I will never allow anyone to come near you. I’ll protect you with my life. ”

Turning around, he walks back to his chair and sits down. His head moves from right to left as he searches for any sign of danger.

I just remain against the wall, gaping at him as I relive the feeling of him touching me.