AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why aren’t you at work? Your school called; they said you weren’t answering.”
Seth is a dark-haired man with spectacles that are on the verge of falling off his nose. His brown eyes hold concern that shifts to anger when he sees me. Although he is a foot shorter than me, he pushes Sarah behind him and glares at me. “Who are you?”
Sarah looks uncomfortable, and she shifts. “This is Fergus. He, uh, stayed over last night because I was kind of sick.”
Seth instantly turns around to scan her from top to bottom, concern and worry etched in his voice. “What happened?”
“I, uh… Food poisoning. I got food poisoning from a burger I ate last night!” Sarah blurts out.
I scowl at the insult to my cooking, but I also wonder why she isn’t telling the truth.
“So, Fergus helped me home, and it was late, so he stayed over.”
“You’re okay now, though?” Seth asks, and she bobs her head up and down.
He turns to me, his voice harsh. “So, why’re you still here?”
I tuck my thumbs in the pockets of my jeans and give the man a sharp smile. “Clearly, because she wants me here.”
I don’t step on any man’s turf, but Sarah still has to identify her relationship with this man who is hovering over her like a protective lover.
Sarah immediately pushes Seth aside, miffed by his attitude. “Don’t be rude, Seth. Fergus is a friend.”
Seth crosses his arms over his chest and scowls. “You could have called me over. I dropped by yesterday anyway, to see Bryan, but he wasn’t here.”
The color washes from Sarah’s face, and my eyes narrow as she says, weakly, “He’s on a trip with some friends. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
Seth frowns, dropping his arms to his sides. “That’s what you said last week. Why is he missing his classes? He’ll fall behind.”
I notice the way she walks over to the chair she abandoned, her movements slow, and sits down, heavily. Her smile is forced. “You know how boys are. He says he’ll catch up.”
“What about his cell? I’ve been trying his number.”
I can tell the lie in her voice as she says, “He lost his phone. You know how careless he can be.”
Seth looks doubtful but shrugs. “All right. You tell him to call me when you get in touch with him. I need to talk to him.”
Sarah nods, and I see the way her hands fist her blouse. “I will. Don’t worry.”
Seth stares at me, trying to establish his dominance. “You want me to walk you out, Ferin?”
I bare my teeth in a smile. “I’m good.”
Irritated, Seth looks at Sarah. “Are you sure you’ll be able to make it to dinner tonight? I have to get back to the community center. But I can pick you up at around seven.”
Sarah nods, and I see her take a shuddering breath when the door slams behind Seth.
I wait for a few moments before asking. “Are you scared of him?”
She looks at me startled, letting out a choked laugh. “Of Seth? No! Why would you think that?”
I raise a brow. “Because you wanted him gone. And you kept lying to him consistently. You don’t seem to be the type of person who does that.”
Her soft lips part as she struggles with something and then she shakes her head. “I wasn’t–”
“You were,” I interrupt her. “About where you were. About what happened to you. About your brother. I want to know why.”
She tries for offended. “It’s none of your business, Fergus.”
