Page 63 of I Don't Need Your Protection
“Come on,” I say. “Our presentation is what made him invest. I’m sure he wouldn’t have if we did a poor job.”
“Yeah, no doubt about that. I told you we got it.”
I don’t know why, but it stings a little that he’s taking this so lightly. I worked really hard on the presentation and the video and he doesn’t seem to appreciate that. I know he doesn’t care about school like I do, but…
“So where to next? The guy invested so much money into our business that I think we just need one more.”
The next person we choose seems like an extremely wealthy businessman. He doesn’t even want to listen to our presentation because he claims he’s “Not in the business of selling toys.” When we leave his place, Warner grumbles that he’s sure another group has already bagged an investment from him.
“Let’s try with the middle-class crowd,” I suggest.
The next person we choose is someone who owns a bakery. She’s so obsessed with our product that she wishes she could buy it for real. She has a child with special needs and he would love a toy like this. I wish I could snap my fingers and conjure Zaney the Zebra for him. She can’t invest a lot of money into our business, though, since her own business is struggling, but she very much wants to be part of our journey because she really believes in the product. Warner tells her “No thank you” and is ready to leave, but I tell her we would love to partner with her. If this was my real business, I would love to have her involved.
“Well, you’re definitely more risky than me,” Warner sayswith a laugh as we leave the bakery. “I doubt we would see a dime from her.”
“I think we should give her a chance. She seemed so excited about the product.”
He shrugs. “Good thing this is all fake.” He scans the list of potential investors to visit. “Let’s try another wealthy person. I’m getting tired of this.”
We manage to find someone who agrees to invest in our business, and then we’re finally done. “All this has made me hungry,” he says. “Want to grab a bite?”
“Sure. I’m in the mood for pizza.”
He grins. “Same.”
We get in the car and he drives us to what he believes is the best pizza in town—no, the world. Lottie’s Pizza. A small bell rings as we enter the shop. After we get our pizza, we sit down at an empty table toward the back. Just as I bring my pizza to my lips, the bell rings throughout the pizzeria again. When my eyes flit in that direction, I find Caleb walking inside. He meets my eyes for a second and then marches to a table a few feet away from us. I frown. Isn’t he going to order some pizza? I’m sure he’s hungry after chasing after us all afternoon.
“You have to hear what Hudson and Javion did during PE today,” Warner says with a chuckle after taking a bite out of his pizza. “They—”
“Sorry, excuse me for a second.” I drop my pizza and make my way to Caleb’s table.
His eyes widen when he sees me approach, and he gets this expression on his face that warns me not to get closer. But Idon’t care. “Why didn’t you order pizza?” I ask.
Shock and surprise settle over his face, but he quickly shoves them away. “What did I tell you about interacting with me in public?”
“I don’t care. It’s not right for you to starve just because you’re ‘on the job.’ If you won’t order something for yourself, then I’ll order something for you.”
He doesn’t move, just keeps his eyes on me. I swear I can sense something shifting in them, maybe a hint of an emotion, but it’s so subtle I wonder if I’m just imagining it.
I spin around and march to the counter. I have no idea what kind of pizza he likes, but one is always safe with plain cheese right?
“Can I have two slices of plain cheese, please?” I ask.
“Sure.”
“What are you doing?” Caleb’s by my side and grabs hold of my wrist, pulling me aside. “Itoldyou not to interact with me.”
“AndItoldyouthat I don’t care. You might think you’re noble for sacrificing your health for me, but I won’t allow it. You barely sleep because of me, you don’t talk to anyone because of me, you don’t—”
“Every second we’re together, your life is more at risk.”
I survey the area, then raise my hands. “No one is paying attention to us, Caleb. Not even Warner.”
He glances behind him and sees that Warner is busy texting. He narrows his eyes at me. “Anyone could be watching you. If they know I’m your protector, they could come afterme. And then who will be there to protect you?”
I fold my arms over my chest. “Okay, maybe you’re right. But that doesn’t mean you can’t order a freakin’ pizza.”
His jaw clenches.
