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I knew about the one rule. My grandfather always talked about the one rule. That I was off limits to Henry. Which never made much sense because Henry and I weren’t like that. At all. And if my grandfather knew about the crap Keith had just pulled…? My grandfather would dunk Keith’s head into a bowl of ice water and keep him there for a very long time.
“I’m going to sit here and make sure you get in safely,” Henry said.
I reached and touched his hand. “Thank you, Henry. Honestly. You didn’t have to do this for me. I just didn’t know who to call…”
“You said you didn’t want to talk about it,” he said. “As long as you’re safe.”
I smiled and nodded.
I climbed out of the SUV and ran to the front door.
As soon as I snuck into the house, I heard the rumbling of the old exhaust on the old SUV as it faded away.
I walked to the kitchen to get a bottle of water and there stood my grandfather.
Nestled in the corner, arms folded, leaning against the counter.
“Oh, hey,” I called out.
“Why was Henry driving you home?”
“I needed a ride.”
“Why Henry…?”
“There were some issues and I needed a ride,” I said. “I didn’t want to bother you. He was already out. He was at the gym. That’s good. Right?”
My grandfather shook his head. “My business with him has nothing to do with you, Sage.”
He pushed away from the counter, annoyed with me.
He was always annoyed with me.
That came with the territory when you were a retired man and ended up having to raise your granddaughter on your own.
He kissed the top of my head and wished me goodnight.
My grandfather always meant well.
He was stubborn and protective.
I loved him for it.
Upstairs, I crashed down to my bed and stared up at the ceiling.
I kept thinking about that poor freshman.
I hoped he was okay.
That the stupid hazing didn’t end up hurting him for real.
My left arm ached a little from Keith.
I rolled to my right side.
If I told my grandfather… and Henry… what Keith did…
I wondered who would kill Keith first.
