He’s right. Alba is eighteen, well past the age of needing a babysitter.
Seeing that I’m reluctant to answer his question, he asks. “Is there a reason why your sister can’t stay home?”
I avoid looking at him. Wondering... should I tell him about Lee?
“Bella, look at me.”
When I do, I see concern on his face.
“Now, tell me why you can’t leave her at home by herself.”
I plop down in the chair sitting in front of his desk. “My stepdad, let’s just say he’s not a good man, and he keeps showing up after my mom has told him he’s not welcome. I don’t trust him.” I state.
By the dark look on his face, I don’t need to say anymore.
“I’ll tell you what. You bring your sister in with you when she’s out on break. I also want her here every day starting today after school as well. If we’re busy and you’re not able to pick her up, then one of the brothers will. You good with all that?”
I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I lean over and put my head in my hands, releasing a huge breath. By the time I look back up, Jake has knelt in front of me.
He looks me straight in the eyes. “You’re not alone any more Bella. You have me, and you have the club.”
Trying to blink away the tears. I nod. “Thank you.”
Walking back to the front desk after leaving Jake’s office, I run into Logan.
“What the hell, Bella? Why the fuck are you crying?”
“I’m fine,” I sigh. “I promise.”
“You’re not fuckin’ fine. Tell me why you’re coming out of Jake’s office with tears in your eyes.”
“I had a minor problem, and Jake was helping me out. That’s all.”
“What kind of fuckin’ problem. Don’t even think about lying to me, babe,” he growls.
“I was asking him if I could bring my sister with me to work while her school is on break. I don’t trust our piece of shit stepdad.”
“Why the fuck not? What’s that motherfucker been doing Bella?”
“Nothing...yet. He’s just a creep, and I don’t trust him.”
I can see Logan’s body tense and his fists clench at my words. Wanting to calm him down, I put my hand on his arm.
“Look, Jake’s helping me out. He said Alba can come in with me and every day after school.”
He reaches up, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear and says, “From now on, if you got a problem with that motherfucker, you come tell me. Okay, Angel?”
This is the first time Logan has touched me since kissing me. For some reason, he seems to be putting distance between us. Like right now. I know he wants to kiss me. I see it his eyes. He’s confusing me with all the mixed signals lately. I have no clue which way to go with him.
It’s Sunday, my day off. I decided to get out and take Alba shopping. With what Jake is paying me, I can afford to go out and buy us some new clothes for the upcoming summer. The both of us haven’t had new stuff in a while since money has been tight trying to help my mom catch up. We’ve been doing a lot of shopping at second-hand stores, but my sister has never complained and has always been grateful for whatever could be provided. It feels good that I can treat her today, so I’ve brought us to the vintage boutique downtown, and then later I’m taking her to the bookstore.
“I’m thinking of getting a tattoo for my birthday,” I say while browsing the racks.
“Really,” Alba beams, her head popping out from behind a blue shirt she’s holding up.
“I swear, Alba. If you get another blue shirt.”
“Don’t change the subject, Bella.”