Page 80 of Shadow and Skulls

She grabs my chin. “We’re going. It’s important.” Her eyes bounce over my face.

“Well, I don’t understand why we need an escort.” I pull my chin out of her hand, scooting back on the couch. “Why does JD need to go with us?”

They exchange a look.

“Oh, wait. The same reason, you’re going to make me stay at the warehouse when I get back.” I throw my hands up, letting them fall haphazardly in my lap. “It all makes sense now.”

“Kelsie,” my dad warns.

I look at him. “You’re right, Dad. Tank is stalking me. He’s been stalking me for a long time.”

As I say the words out loud, I remember how nervous I felt when I realized Tank had been watching me. That he knew more about me than he should. My gaze bounces over my dad’s worry lines, and I remind myself he’s everything I ever wanted in a father. Instead of arguing with him, I decide to give him my understanding.

“I understand you’re only trying to protect me. I’m not afraid of Tank, but I’ll stay at the warehouse if that makes you feel better.”

His shoulders drop, and he leans forward to kiss my forehead. “Thank you.” He stands as if the conversation is over.

“You’re not going to do anything to him, are you?” I ask hesitantly.

My mom and I both stare up at him, tipping our heads back. He looks down at us.

“Not right now,” he answers honestly. “But if he keeps this up …” He doesn’t finish. Mom pats my back as he walks away.

“I received a call from your mom’s nursing home today,” my mom says, interrupting my thoughts over what my dad might do to Tank.

“Oh,” I say, cringing at the way she calls her my mom. I don’t want Lily to ever think that she’s not my real mom. She’s the only female who has been consistent in my life. I hate that she has to share that title.

“They said she’s been doing a little better.”

I shrug. “That’s good, I guess.”

The boys come out. “Hey, sis. We need to get on the road soon so we can get you home and then get back to school.”

By early afternoon, I’m sitting in the backseat of Cole’s truck, listening to heavy metal at a level I’m sure is causing irreversible hearing damage. I lean over the seat and smack Carson on the arm.

“Turn that down.”

He snickers but does as I ask. “You sound like Mom.”

“Good.” I lean back, closing my eyes. Finally, a moment of peace.

“So, why don’t you tell us about this stalker of yours?”

I flip them off without looking at them. “Maybe you should just worry about the friends you keep. Because the ones you left behind weren’t very good, were they?”

One thing I’ve learned from the club women is never let the men goad you.

“You’re right,” Cole agrees. “Is that supposed to make us feel any better? I knew we should have gone to school somewhere closer.”

I release my breath, opening one eye. “It’s not your fault.”

“Well, we’re paying the basketball team a visit before we head back to school,” Carson chimes in.

I’d like to tell them they don’t have to, but I kind of like that they’re going to stand up for me. “It wasn’t the whole team.”

“We know who it was, but the team needs to understand that they have to hold each other accountable. That’s how it’s supposed to work. They’ll be shit if they don’t get that throughtheir thick skulls. Matt is a weak team captain, and you’re only as good as your weakest player.”

“Did you hear what Charlotte did to the cheerleaders before I quit school?” I ask.

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