Page 44 of Saving Shepperd

I rounded the back of his car and finally inhaled fresh air deep into my lungs. It felt like I was about to pass out from all the adrenaline, and so far, there really hadn’t been an altercation. But that’s when I saw my dad following right behind Law to the back of his car.

“Nice car, young man,” he said with a nod toward Law’s pretty sports car.

“Thank you, sir. I really enjoy it,” he answered politely. I had to hand it to him. He was handling the situation like a pro.

“Please, call me Dave,” my dad said with a friendly smile.

What the hell was he playing at?

I narrowed my eyes with serious suspicion. A few possibilities danced around in my head while Law loaded my bags into the trunk. Either my folks were really glad to see me go, or my dad was smitten with the idea of who I was leaving with. My father knew who was who in the Los Angeles business scene and had once told me to never burn a bridge you might need to cross one day. Was he trying to get in good graces with the Mastersons? I didn’t really know how successful or powerful Law’s family was, but I didn’t miss the way my dad’s facial expression changed the moment that last name was spoken.

Each thought made me as sick as the other. Was getting ahead at work more important than, say…my safety? He didn’t know this big man I just announced I’d be living with, yet he was fawning over him like he wanted to claim dibs on an invitation to the bachelor party.

Law shot a quick glance my way while slamming the trunk closed. “Looks like we’re set here.”

“See you later, Dad,” I said as Law opened my door for me to slide in.

“Shep? Not a hug or anything?” my dad asked, looking like he just lost his puppy.

What a bunch of bullshit. And now what was I going to do, ignore his request? In any other circumstance, I probably would. But with this whole nightmare taking place that Law was witnessing, I wanted to be a better human.

I climbed back out of the car and stepped up to my father. He gave me a tight squeeze, and my entire body trembled.

“We’ll see you soon,” my dad said and kissed the top of my head. The gesture instantly reminded me of Law, and I wanted to kick my dad in the shin for tainting one of my favorite things in my new relationship.

“Take care of my baby,” my dad said to my boyfriend, and the two shook hands.

“I’ll do my very best,” he replied then stepped back. “She means the world to me.”

I mean the world to him?

Tears immediately filled my eyes. Between that incredibly sweet comment and the stress of the past half hour, a meltdown was approaching. We had to get out of here. Now.

Law slid behind the wheel and pressed the ignition. The engine roared to life and settled into a throaty purr.

My dad looked on with a beaming smile. The man had always loved cars, and this one was right up his alley. At least they’d have that in common if we ever happened to be stuck in the same room with them again.

Rest assured, I’d do everything in my power to keep that from happening.

ChapterTwelve

Law

We drove a few blocks in tense silence before I pulled into a shopping center. After maneuvering into a parking space, I killed the engine. Shepperd scanned the storefronts then looked over at me with confusion.

I just held her gaze for a few beats then scooped her small hands into mine. “How are you doing?”

She relaxed by a degree or two. “A lot better now. I don’t know if I should thank you or apologize to you first. Though I did tell you I would’ve done that alone.”

I sat quietly at first and then very calmly said, “I’m not sure how long it’s going to take for you to understand this, but lucky for you I’m a very patient man. You don’t have to do the hard stuff alone anymore, Shepperd. I want to be there for you. Help you. Hold you when things are shitty, celebrate with you when things are great.”

She stared at me until a slow grin spread across her lips. “What on earth have I done?” she muttered while shaking her head back and forth.

“What?” I asked.

“What have I done to deserve you? I’m so scared I’m going to fuck this up. That or you’re going to come to your senses and run away terrified.”

“After you meet my family, this will make more sense, but believe me when I say that was nothing.”

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