Page 17 of Pet Project

SHILOH

“Because of the nature of the restraining order, we can only protect and enforce it if he should come on campus,” the scary security lady says with a frown. Even though she is inches shorter than me and looks like someone’s kid sister at first glance, this lady would send even Eli to the corner and not flinch.

“What are the parameters we need to watch out for, Cheryl?” Mattie asks her while I am doing my best not to hide behind him. I’m glad Eric lets me borrow him on campus. Ever since Daddy Spence graduated last year, it’s been tough feeling safe away from the house, especially with knowing that my brother is out there somewhere.

“… the coffee shop is the only location off campus that would be considered a part of the protection because of the deal struck with the previous owner.”

I zoned out of most of their conversation, but mymouth started with the words before my brain caught on.

“Mr. Jones made a deal? Why did the mean fat one say he couldn’t do anything?”

The lady, Cheryl, startled a bit like she forgot there was another person in the room before giving me a soft smile. Huh… she’s not so scary when she smiles.

“Walt arranged with the dean to make the coffee shop a safe haven. That deal was never rescinded and the former employees of this office let their personal issues override their responsibilities when Mr. Hastings came to them for assistance with some vandalism. Basically, the shop is a place provided where any student, faculty member, or visitor can go to seek safety and asylum in the event of being targeted.”

My brain takes a bit to catch up to what she is saying. Mr. Jones set up a sanctuary space just off of campus…

“Why?” I whisper to myself, not expecting an answer.

“Guilt,” Cheryl replies with a sad look in her eyes. “He spoke to me often of a boy and his mother that he failed to protect a long time ago and wanted to make sure people always had a safe place to run to.”

Matt and Cheryl continue going over the details of the security plan they are putting in place for me, but my brain keeps coming back to what she just said.

Mr. Jones blames himself for what happened to Mama? It’s not his fault. It was mine.

He couldn’t have known what was going to happen when he left to visit his kids. I mean, he was becoming agrandfather for the first time. Of course, his place was with his family that night. The only thing he could have done was die beside her that night, and I’m glad he didn’t. His grandkids need him. He’s a good grandpa.

“Shy? Kitten?”

Matt’s hand on my shoulder startles me into folding in on myself. He rapidly pulls his hand back and steps away, waving at Cheryl to step back as well. It looks like Eric has given him instructions on how to deal with my trauma responses.

“Not a flashback,” I mumble as I pick my backpack up from where it dropped. “You just startled me a bit.”

“Alright, Kitten,” Matt says and leads me out of the office. “Let’s pick up Lucky and we can hang out with Don for a while until your class at eleven. The pup should be in class by now, and without him around, you guys can be spoiled with some sugary goodness.”

Don…

Oh, man…

I let Matt steer me across the quad towards the one building I’ve been avoiding at all costs over the last few weeks. Don Hastings is the man that Mr. Jones handed the shop to when he decided to move closer to his grandkids. He is also the man who makes my inner kitten purr at the thought of his hands on me.

But I don’t need a handler. Cats are solitary creatures. Plus, I saw the way Toby looked at him. I can’t compete with that. It’s better to admit defeat now.

“I think I need to move out.”

Matt stops mid-stride, but I pretend not to notice. Ididn’t mean to say it out loud, but now that it’s out there, I can’t help but feel it’s the right decision for me. Toby needs to be free of my problems, my nightmares. My family at Kink Manor needs to be safe from Michael.

And maybe, just maybe, I can trick Toby into spending time around Don and make them realize they are perfect for each other…

23

DONNIE

“Absolutely not!”

Eric’s voice is shrill as he storms into my office at the coffee shop.

When Matt came in with Shiloh earlier and realized that Lucky was in full little mode, he called for his boyfriend to come pick him up. From what I understand, the boy is only auditing elective courses this semester to figure out what he really wants to have a degree in. He almost has the credits to graduate, but he isn’t sure if he wants to just yet.

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