Page 7 of Within Shadows

Maeve

I yawn and stretch, burying my face under my pillow with a groan.

No, not my pillow. The smell of aftershave and Garrett hits me, flooding my mind with memories of last night.

I sit up, gripping the front of my shirt as my heart starts to race, and I struggle to slow my breathing.

A gentle knock at the door nearly sends me crashing to the floor when I startle.

“Maeve, are you okay?” The concern in his voice makes me feel like an idiot. Of course, it's not Oliver at the door. He wouldn’t have knocked.

“You can come in. I’m not naked or anything,” I call out with a shaky voice. Garrett makes a choked laugh as he swings the door open, and his face is bright red. I grin at how easy it is to rile him up, and he holds a spatula out, pointing it at me.

“You really like giving me a hard time, don’t you?” He shakes his head but smiles. I put a hand to my chest and raise a brow at him. “Are you saying I make you hard, Garrett?” I ask, and he groans, rubbing a hand over his face.

“You’re giving me gray hair already, Maeve. I was going to offer you bacon and waffles, but apparently you’re not hungry.” He huffs, turning to walk away. My stomach rumbles as the smell of breakfast fills the room, and it’s my turn to be embarrassed.

“That was adorable,” Garrett says softly, shaking his head while walking away. I quickly follow him out of the room and back to the same seat I sat in last night. A plate is slid in front of me as Garrett leans against the island across from me with his own pile of bacon and waffles.

“Did you sleep well?” he asks.

“I wanted to thank you for last night. I’m sorry that I put you out, though. Your bed is insanely comfortable.” I yawn behind my hand, and he chuckles, but the mood darkens as he lowers his eyes.

“Maeve, do you carry anything to defend yourself?” he asks. I snap my teeth shut around a piece of bacon harder than necessary as I shake my head.

“I don’t like guns,” I mutter. Garrett nods as if he was expecting that answer.

“Too bad.” He shrugs, and I stop chewing to give him a confused look. “You’re going to learn how to use one.”

“I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but I can take care of myself.” My tone comes out sharp. Garrett crosses his arms and regards me with a flash of pity.

“Maeve, you asked me to drop it, and I’m trying really hard to respect that.

We both know you don’t stand a chance against him, and I will step in to protect you, but what if I can’t get there next time?

Because there will be a next time, and you know this won't stop.” His words cut deep, and I drop my fork, suddenly not hungry.

“I need to get ready for class,” I mutter, climbing from my seat, but Garrett blocks me from leaving and leans closer.

“Just humor me, please?”

“Why do you care so damn much?” I throw my hands up in frustration. Garrett frowns as if I’m the one who is stepping over the line.

“Because I care about you, Maeve. I don’t plan on letting you push me away to protect me either, so don’t bother.” He smiles when I drop my arms, my shock obvious on my face, before I mimic his stance and cross my arms.

“If you want to get in my pants so bad, you can just ask without going to extremes.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and Garrett groans, rearing back as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Dang it, Maeve. I’m being serious here.” He sounds defeated, and I actually feel bad as I pick at my nails. I finally decide to open up to him, but only crack the door to let him see the true danger that he’s putting himself in.

“Whoever broke in last night will hurt people who care about me.

Whoever it is, they won't let anyone else get close, and if they do, somebody always gets hurt.” My eyes sting as I blink them away.

My phone chimes, and I pull it out, swiping at my eyes.

A message from Jess flashes on the screen, and I sigh in frustration.

“Everything okay?” Garrett asks, and I show him my phone.

“Jess and I were supposed to go out tonight, since there’s no classes tomorrow.

” I bite my lip as I try to find a way to blow her off without raising suspicion.

If she finds out about last night, then she’ll go after Oliver without considering the danger she could be in, and I’ve seen how that ends.

My chest aches as a familiar feeling rises—loneliness.

Oliver did everything he could to separate me from anyone I love, and he was going to do it all over again.

“Want me to tag along?” Garrett offers, and he almost sounds hopeful.

“You want to go drinking, play pool, and dance?” I ask, and he grins.

“Absolutely.”

I bite my lip as I contemplate the idea, but if anyone tells Oliver that I’m out with Garrett, then he becomes a target. “Don’t let him take away your joy.” Garrett reaches up, gently pulling my lip out from between my teeth as he waits for me to answer.

“I’m going to get dressed. Are those people still coming to repair my doors?” I ask, and he grins, nodding.

“Yep, and you’re getting a fancy shmancy security system too.

We will stop for that coffee I owe you before we go to class.

” He walks with me back to his room and ruffles through his dresser while I dump my bag of clothes on his bed to dig through.

Something tumbles from the pile, and he catches it before it hits the ground.

Garrett makes a startled grunt, and he shoves his arm towards me, refusing to meet my eyes.

In his palm are a pair of lacy black panties, and I snatch them in embarrassment.

“Didn’t think you would stoop to grabbing my panties,” I jest, but my voice is soft, and he glares at me.

“Throwing them at me like that, you should be ashamed.” He shakes his head, but I catch the teasing smile before he leaves the room.

I stare through the windshield as Garrett winks at me from inside the coffee shop and bite my lip to stop the smile.

Heat pools in my stomach, and I look away, irritated with myself for the feelings I keep burying.

Falling too fast is what got me into trouble before, and I was desperately trying to not be that person anymore.

The hair on my neck stands on edge as I look around, trying to see if I can spot anyone that stands out.

A tap on the window makes me jump as I whip my head around to lock eyes with Garrett. He grins as I roll the window down.

“That’s payback for trying to peep at me while I was naked in the shower last night.

” His voice is loud enough to draw the stares of a few onlookers, including an all too familiar face that makes my stomach tighten.

He hands my coffee through the window and keeps his playful grin as he rounds the car and climbs in.

I rip my eyes away from Oliver and stare down at my hands, my drink trembling as my entire body shakes.

“He won’t touch you, Maeve.” Garrett’s tone is darker, a stark contrast to the bright smile on his face.

“Did you say that just to piss him off?” I ask, more than a little shocked.

“Maybe if he thinks there’s something going on between us, he’ll leave you alone in favor of somebody his own size.

” He shrugs while backing out and driving a little too close to the sidewalk, grinning at Oliver while we pass.

An awkward laugh bubbles from my chest as I shake my head. “Garrett, you’re insane.”

“I might be,” he laughs, pulling into a parking spot outside the college. “Let him believe we’re a couple. Either he’ll get the hint and leave you alone, or his anger will turn to me.” Garrett says nonchalantly.

“Or he goes ballistic and kills us both,” I mutter, and Garrett shakes his head, turning to face me as he takes off his seatbelt. “I won’t let him hurt you. Maeve, I’m just asking you to trust me.”

“Okay, boyfriend. Does this mean you’ll carry my bag to class?” I raise a brow, and he sighs. “Not even five minutes and I’m already wrapped around your finger.” He climbs out of the car, grabbing both of our bags as we head to the front doors.

“Maeve, wait.” Oliver catches up to us, but Garrett wraps his arm around my shoulders, giving him a sickly sweet smile. I don’t even let my eyes land on Oliver's face, keeping them locked on his shirt.

“Sorry, bud. We’re going to be late for class. Almost missed our alarm this morning.” He sighs, steering me through the doors and towards our first class. He doesn’t loosen his hold until I’m sitting firmly in my seat and he’s next to me, close enough that our knees brush beneath the desks.

Maybe I should just give up and move to another state with a new identity.

That’s what Oliver’s father had suggested.

Staring at the damage his son had done, he had the nerve to blame me for provoking his son by leaving him.

Rambling on about how I should leave my family, friends, and entire life behind so that Oliver could focus on school.

My hand aches, and Garrett brushes his fingers over the back of my hand while leaning close.

“Instead of throttling your pen, I have a spare if yours isn’t working,” he whispers, and I have to cough to cover my laugh as I release the death grip on my pen.

He sits back with a smug smile after easily interrupting my thoughts, and I can’t even be angry at him.

Garrett pushes his notebook closer so that I can copy his notes, and I smile at the scratchy but legible handwriting.

The rest of the day passes in a blur, my mind slipping out of focus most of the day, but somehow Garrett pulls me back to reality every time.

“That’s it, enough time spent in that deep and dark mind of yours, Maeve. Get your butt in this car before I pick you up and toss you in the trunk.” Garrett’s words cut through the haze, and I blink, my brows drawn as I mock glare at him.

“You wouldn’t dare,” I mumble.