Page 41 of Kept By the Loan Shark

Chapter Thirteen

“You want me to walk you into the building?” Hagen asked as he pulled to the curb and parked.

“I can handle it,” I assured him, reaching out to adjust my new glasses. After my neuro appointment on Friday morning, I had been sent to see the ophthalmologist for special lenses to help with my double vision. I had spent the weekend getting used to them but still had moments where I stumbled or lost my balance.

“If you get a headache, call me.”

“I will.” I grabbed my new backpack from the floorboard and slid my arms through the straps.

“And if you need anything, call me.”

“Okay,” I promised with laugh. He was almost too overprotective since we had gotten back together. Almost.

“And if you see Kyle—”

“Mace and brass knuckles?”

He frowned. “Please tell me that you are joking and that crazy Fox girl didn’t set you up with those.”

Fox was the security tech Kostya had introduced us to the morning after his late-night visit. She owned a local security company that focused on women’s security needs and had been very helpful. She was a bit quirky, though, and Hagen hadn’t been sold on her as quickly as I was.

“No, she didn’t.” I leaned over and pecked his cheek. “But Taylor did!”

“Cassie!” He called after me as I escaped the SUV with a grin and a laugh. “Be careful!”

“I will be.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, too,” I said before closing the door and stepping onto the sidewalk. I returned his wave before hiking my backpack a little higher on my shoulders. Replacing my old and well-loved bag had been easier once I had become aware that Kyle had been hiding tracking devices in it. I had put it away in a box, not quite ready to throw it away just yet.

“Hey, Cass,” Kunal greeted as I took the seat next to him. He grinned mischievously and said, “I like the glasses. Very Hillary Clinton circa 2013.”

I snorted. “Wow. Thanks? I guess.”

He laughed and clicked his pen a few times. “Do they help?”

“Immensely.” I opened my notebook and picked out the green pen I preferred for my class notes. “I can actually read text on paper, and my peripheral vision is a lot better.”

“What about screens? Can you use your phone? Laptop?”

“For short bursts of time,” I confirmed with a nod. “I think it will get better the more I practice.”

Our professor walked in, and the discussions around the room faded to nothing. When the lecture started, I felt absolute relief at being able to see and read the whiteboard and my own notes. For the first time in weeks, I was able to follow a lecture without feeling lost and take notes that were legible. By the time class ended, I could feel my confidence starting to rebuild.

“Did you see the front page of the Thresher today?” Kunal asked as we packed up our things.

I shook my head. “I haven’t read the paper in weeks.”

“You should check it out. It’s an in-depth report on the missing students.” He made a face. “It doesn’t paint the administration or the police in a very good light.”

“They probably deserve it. It’s been years and none of them have been found.”

He made an agreeing sound as we walked out of the classroom. “How are you set on meals? Mom wanted me to ask if you need another delivery.”

“I’m good, but I’ll be sure to let you know when I get low.” I smiled at him. “How are my notes from last semester working out for you?”

“They’re great. Exactly what I needed,” he assured me. “You want me to walk with you to the Taylor and Minnie’s lab?”

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