Page 17 of Protector

“I was just making sure Brooks and I are on the same page,” Adele says, then sets her wine down and pulls her phone from her pocket. “You look fantastic, baby. You were right about the dress, and it came out perfectly.”

“Did you make that?” I notice the surprise in my voice and hope it’s not offensive.

“No, I had the dress, but I…fixed it.” Playfully she runs her hand down the opening, which I’m guessing means that’s the part she changed.

As Adele snaps a few more pics of her, Shay’s gaze stays connected to mine.

“It’s…nice. But I’m guessing those are not your pajamas…”

“No.” She laughs, then runs her tongue across her glossy top lip. “I almost forgot it’s my friend Margo’s birthday, so we’re going to her favorite club.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “In the future…a heads up would be nice.”

“Yeah, like I said, I forgot.”

“Let me grab my keys and—”

“Whoa.” Shay holds her palm out like a stop sign. “I’m flying solo on this one, Uncle Todd.” She swivels her head from me to her mother and back.

“Shay…”

“It’s fine. I’m picking up Cal, so he’ll be with me the whole time.”

“Who’s Cal?” I ask.

“That’s her GBF.”

“GBF?” I say with a squint.

“Geez, Mom, that’s so rude.”

Adele shrugs. “What? It’s true, and Cal is the one who calls himself that.” Adele turns to me. “Cal is her gay best friend.”

I shake my head. “This is all very enlightening, but we need to get something clear from the start, or this is not going to work. We have to do things my way. And that means where you go, I go. Preferably with a little notice.”

Her mouth pulls into a tight line, and she sighs. “Fine, but can you at least change? You’re…nice to look at, but that outfit…” She shakes her head.

I glance down at my worn jeans and faded T-shirt. “Into a different pair of jeans and different T-shirt?”

“Gah!” She turns and heads to the door. “Whatever! Let’s just go. We’re taking my Mustang, though. Cal would die if he had to ride in your clunker.”

I throw a quick glance over at Adele, and her amused expression shows a little too much triumph. “Have fun,” she sings and heads down the hall.

When I round the corner, Shay tosses me a set of keys, and we head out.

In the car she’s quiet as I drive, but she hasn’t taken her eyes off me for a moment.

“You have something to say?” I ask without looking over.

“You’re not going to like it.”

“What? Just say it.”

“Some of the places I go have a…sort of dress code. You’ll get in because you’re with me and my friends, but you’re going to stand out. We need to take you shopping and get some things that don’t make you look like I’m bringing my mechanic everywhere.”

I let out a loud laugh. “It’s fine.”

“It is?”

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