Page 17 of Damaged Protector

“I think they have to be at least three,” I said, “so you just need to survive another year and a couple months.”

“Great.”

Taking pity on him, I took his terroristic toddler into my arms. “I’ll take her outside.”

“Thanks, dude. I’ll find a broom and start on… all this.” He waved a hand wildly at the mess his daughter had caused. I was trying so hard not to laugh. The kid was a total monster, but she was cute as hell.

As I carried said monster up the hallway, I said, “You know, you’re very naughty, Miss Bella.”

She poked me in the nose with her fingertip and giggled. “Youse naughty too, Uncle Hawk.”

You got that right, kid.

Chapter 5

The sky was the color of bluebirds when I crossed the border from Louisiana and into Texas on a sunny June afternoon. Just a couple more hours, and I’d be at my cousin Cam’s house in Dallas.

It had been nine months since I’d announced I was planning to move to Texas, and it had been a constant battle with my mother. She did everything she could think of to change my mind. Begged. Cried. Threatened. Oh yes. Lots of threatening.

She tried it all, but nothing worked, and I had never felt stronger in my life. Or more free.

Or more scared.

I’d lived a relatively sheltered life. My days had consisted of school and dance since I was a little girl. My mother had homeschooled me so I could have more time for dance, so even my social interactions were limited.

When I went to college, it was the first time I’d really had the chance to hang out with people other than other dancers. I could feel myself blossoming and had absolutely loved it.

It was also the first time I’d had a boyfriend. Curtis. Ugh! He’d called when he heard I was planning to move and asked me to stay. Said he wanted to get back together.

But I’d pushed him away too. I was sick of other people dictating the path of my life. I was in control now.

My phone rang, and I pressed the button on the steering wheel of my red Honda Accord. “Hello, favorite cousin!”

“I’m totally telling Collin you said that,” Cam said with a grin clearly evident in his voice.

“It’s okay. I saw him a couple weeks ago and informed him he was the handsome cousin.”

“What? There’s no way that scruffy bastard is better looking than me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Despite living so far apart, Cam and Collin were as close as brothers. Their banter when they got together was top notch.

“Okay, I guess you can share the title.”

“Are you getting close?”

“I’m in Texas now, on I-20.” My body was practically shaking with excitement. I was moving to a new state to start training for my dream career, and I felt like I finally had a firm grip on my own future now.

“Cool! You’ll be here soon, We have your room all ready for you.”

“I hope you didn’t go to any trouble,” I fretted.

“Whatever, little cuz. We’re excited you’re coming.”

“I may be a few extra minutes. I thought I’d stop at that big convenience store I’ve heard so much about. The one with the beaver?” A billboard came into view for the mega store, and I added, “Buc-ee’s.”

“Oh hell yeah! I fucking love that place. Would you pick me up a couple packs of their Bohemian Garlic beef jerky? I’ll pay you when you get here.”

“You got it.”