Page 26 of The Loathing

“For the giant babysitter? Yeah, I think so,” I shrug my shoulders up, as I look over my shoulder at my own room.

“He lands tomorrow morning,” Xander’s tone is sharp, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Dad is keeping me in the dark,” I swallow thickly, my palms suddenly sweaty, “Is there anything I need to know?”

Ezekiel goes to open his mouth but soon shuts it quickly with Xander throws him dagger stares.

“Just that we will keep you safe, we will go to the ends of the earth to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

I nod.

“Everything will be okay though; we can get the Knight brothers easier this way and when they least expect it… well…”

“You’ll kill them.”

“Exactly,” Ezekiel nods.

Anxiety swarms through me and I begin to panic.

“Hey, hey,” Xander grabs me, pulling me into his chest and I can hear the steady beat of his heart drumming in his chest. He holds me tightly so even if I wanted to move, I couldn’t. “I promise you, this has all been planned out to the very last detail,” Xander whispers which makes my skin prickle in goosebumps.

“Okay,” I choke on threatening tears.

“We’ve got you, we promise,” he says one last time before holding me tight again, and this time, Ezekiel wraps his arms round the both of us.

CHAPTER TEN

TITUS

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I head for home. I was still not sure if I wanted to meet the girl from the bar or not tonight, but part of me didn’t want to stand her up because I wasn’t a complete prick. Unlocking the door to my house, I pushed through and called out for Arizona.

“In the kitchen, Dad,” she calls back and I smile, glad that I get to see her before she leaves for Keaton’s. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t apprehensive about leaving her in his hands, but I know she will be fine.

I turn the corner and into the kitchen when I hear Arizona’s spoon hit the side of her China bowl.

“Oh my god,” her eyes widen as she stares at me. “Where has all your hair gone?” I watch as her hand slowly moves to cover her mouth.

“I decided to make it a little lower maintenance.”

“Well, it’s certainly lower maintenance,” she says with a grimace.

“Not a fan?”

“I’m sure it’ll grow on me,” she scrunches her nose up before spooning cereal into her mouth. She would eat cereal morning, noon and night if she could.

I rub my hand over my short, soft black hair and smile, “I like it.”

“It looks good, don’t get me wrong it was just a little shock to the system, but it somehow makes you look younger,” she cocks her head to the side and gives me a half smile.

“That’s something then,” I chuckle softly as I grab a beer from the fridge. Pulling a bar stool out next to her, I sit.

“I’ve got the option to go on a date tonight before I leave for the hotel,” I say, bringing the bottle to my lips and taking a mouthful.

“Right…” I can feel her eyes burning into the side of my head.

“I don’t know what to do,” I shrug my shoulders up.

“Dad, I love that we’re close and all, but I don’t think you asking if you should…” she stalls for a moment as if she is choosing her words, “fulfil your needs is the kind of bonding I want, you know?”

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