Page 31 of My Damaged Protector

Olivia is away at school, and she and I spoke yesterday morning. My Aunt Sheila is probably just calling to check up on me. I'll call her back later.

Ignoring the call even though it's out of character for me to ignore her, I continue writing. Forcing my thoughts back to the scene before her call came in, I start to type again.

While I'd written down everything that happened between me and Ian earlier, I'm going back now. Diving into the story from the very beginning to give readers a depth into how far back we've known each other.

I am about to write down my third encounter with him, which was also the day I met Justin, and the thought of him makes me sad, but I refuse to dwell much on it. He's gone now, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

That's how fickle life can get. One minute someone is alive, the next they're not. The understanding that you can lose anyone forever has helped me over the years to not grieve too much when someone I know passes on and instead focus on making memories that last.

My phone starts to ring again. Two calls from my aunt in the space of minutes can't just be random.

Quickly typing out a short sentence of what I'm about to write next so I don't forget when I get back to writing again, I pick my phone up and stand up, using the opportunity to stretch my legs.

I haven't stood up all day except the few times I went to pee and refill my coffee.

Damn, it's been a long day. A productive one, though, so you won't hear me complaining.

“Hi,” I say as a greeting when I pick up the call.

“Sar, how are you?” My aunt's concerned voice comes from her end of the phone, and I yawn as I respond to her.

“I'm good. What's up? You okay? You called me earlier.”

“I'm okay, too. I've been sending you messages for a while now.”

Oh, she's the one sending the messages, too?

Frowning, I put my lower lip between my teeth and bite on it softly before I release it.

“What's going on? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing.” Her words come a little quickly, and it makes me start to worry more. But then I shake it off, knowing I'm just being paranoid. “I've just missed you. When are you coming by the house?”

I smile at that.

“Auntie, I'm busy. In fact, I just started writing a new story today. I'm so excited about it. That's why I haven't been able to answer my phone.”

“Oh, so that means you're very busy?”

“Unfortunately.” I sigh.

“Oh. I made some spaghetti with tomato sauce and shrimp, just how you like it.”

She's not even finished speaking before I start to salivate. Damn. She must really miss me for her to prepare my favorite meal. Unfortunately, I'll have to pass. If I leave this story halfway, I may not be able to get back to it as fast as I should. As much as I love to write, I'm the biggest procrastinator you'll ever find when I'm without motivation.

“I'll have to pass,” I say, already knowing she won't be happy. It's what I have to do, though. I can always make it up to her later.

“Please?”

Oh, she knows I can't say no when she begs.

“Auntie…” I groan, already feeling myself giving in.

“Just an hour and you can leave. I already have the food almost ready. Please, please, please.”

“Fine.”

It wouldn't exactly be bad to have some homemade food after the kind of day I've just had, and maybe when I get back home I can quickly get back to writing it.

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