Freaking impossible.
By the time I reached Lisa’s floor, my tears had dried up. I could do this. I had a few weeks until school was over. All I had to do was pass this one class. What was the worst that could happen? So Gabe hated me. So he was a volunteer at the same place I depended on for that passing grade and my scholarships.
It was fine.
It would be totally, absolutely fine.
Chapter Nineteen
There was a sickness in my soul — it was starting to take hold. It seeped into every part of my existence. The name of my sickness? Well that’s the fun part. I had three. Gabe, Ashton, and Parker. And they say people with multiple personalities have problems. I’d do anything to kill off all of mine — the only problem? That left me with nothing. And she wouldn’t have wanted that. No, that desire was all mine. All. Mine. —Gabe H.
Gabe
A week had gone by without any contact with my father. I’d changed my phone number again just in case and called all my credit card companies to make sure he hadn’t somehow used old power of attorney paperwork to get on anything that wasn’t legally his.
I was safe.
Another fire was put out — for now. Hell, it was put out as long as he didn’t find me — as long as he didn’t connect the dots. Which he would. One day. One day the dots would maybe connect themselves. Shit, I was losing it.
Now all I had to deal with was Saylor working at the group home.
I’d already decided it would be pointless for me to stay behind on the days she worked at the home. If anything, it stressed me out more because she was that close to exposing everything about me. One slip and a quick search on the Internet and I was done.
Four years of hiding. Gone.
With a sigh of resignation, I walked up to the building and found Martha. “Hey, thanks for meeting with me.”
“Sure.” She smiled warmly. “You want some coffee, kid? You’re not looking so good.”
“Aw…” I pressed my hand to my heart and smiled. “You wound me. How do you think that makes me feel?”
“You’ll survive,” she said dryly, eyebrows arching as she set her own white foam cup down on the table and leaned forward. “So, what’s going on, boss?”
“Ha!” I rolled my eyes. “Good one.”
“If the shoe fits.”
I cleared my throat and changed the subject. “I want to up the security on the place.”
“I see.” She tapped her nails against the counter. “Is there a reason?”
“Do you need one?” I snapped.
Her face fell. “Gabe, what’s going on, honey?”
I stood abruptly. “Nothing to worry about.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am,” I said smoothly. “Just call the security company. I’m sure they can add two men to the front entrance. Make sure everything goes on lockdown during all hours, so we don’t have anyone coming on or out who isn’t approved. Oh, and I’m going to start helping with the volunteer program.”
Martha coughed. “Are you firing me?”
“Not at all.” I sighed in relief. “I need you, Martha, you know that. I just, I don’t trust that Saylor girl. I mean, we don’t really know much about her and she’s too close to—”
“—Princess.”
“Yeah,” I croaked.