The smirk on his face told me he knew exactly what he was doing.
When he was done, he cleaned everything up, grabbed some chips for both of us after asking for my preference and asked me to grab drinks. I still haven’t figured out why that warmed my heart.
As we sat at a table and ate, I bumped my shoulder against his, and murmured, “Thank you. This is really good.”
“No problem, Teach,” he winked at me before a thoughtful look crossed his face. “Do you love or hate black and white movies?”
I almost choked on my bite of sandwich, not at all expecting that question. After taking a drink and Titus shooting me a sheepish look filled with apology, my eyes were still watering, but I wasn’t concerned about needing the Heimlick.
“Sorry,” my voice was scratchy, “I did not expect you to ask me that.” I shook my head ruefully because I could tell he still wanted the answer. “I don’t exclude a movie because it’s black and white. I’ve enjoyed some I’ve watched and not others, but I feel that way about all movies. Just because it’s cinema doesn’t mean it’s for me.”
“Fair,” he lifted one large shoulder.
“Do you have a favorite?” I couldn’t help but ask, wanting to find out more about this man.
“Twelve Angry Men,” he told me while looking almost embarrassed, but it was endearing and he stole another piece of my heart right then and there.
I couldn’t help but grin as I told him, “I’ll happily watch movies with you, Titus.”
Even thinking about it now, I’m smiling. It falls off my face when my phone starts to ring again. Titus looks up with a knowing look on his face. His features freeze when his phone rings.
He takes one look at it, answers, and barks, “Omen.”
I don’t hear whatever is said but Titus’ gaze sharpens as he looks at me and my stomach sinks. It’s like I know.
“Keep him there,” his words are hard and my eyes slide closed.
The last thing I want to do is open them again. Because then he’ll tell me what I already know. My father is here.
Titus’ large hands land on my knees and my eyes snap open. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it isn’t his earnest gray eyes looking at me with concern. My heart flips in my chest.
“Your dad is at the gate,” his voice is low and I can see the regret in his eyes.
“I figured,” I whisper. “I was hoping to push this off a little longer. It’s not going to be pretty,” I try and warn him.
“Seems like he’s bringing the mountain to you in this case,” he sighs. “I’m sure he’s also expecting to take you out of here.” Something fierce transforms his features and I sit up a little straighter, mentally grappling for his words while hoping they don’t leave me hollow. “That is not happening. You’re staying right here.”
My eyes search his and all I find is resolve.
“Okay,” I breathe.
Titus leads me out of his office and I’m thankful that he does because the only thing I feel capable of doing is putting one foot in front of the other. He’s going to be so angry.
He’s going to yell.
He’s going to try to take me away from here.
I don’t want to go.
My steps falter with the realization of how true the thought is. I don’t want to go. Titus makes me feel safe and wanted. He’s shown me the possibility of a future. It’s a future that felt out of reach only days ago but now is close enough to almost feel wrapped around me.
I don’t want to go.
The feeling solidifies inside of me, hardening and taking shape into something too big to be moved or ignored. I won’t be leaving. I’m a fucking adult and my father can’t force me to do anything.
Even if he is the sheriff.
The sound in the main room of the clubhouse gets softer as we walk through the room and I can’t bring myself to look at anyone. I’m not sure what I would see on their faces and the only thing I can think about is the fact that I’m about to face my dad.
