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My eyes flew to Peter’s face in horror. I knew Charles was drunk. Mom was gone, out at a playgroup with Leah for toddlers and working moms. My heart lurched, pounding in my chest. What did he want this time? And why was he home so early?
Peter grabbed my hand and we ran until we reached the safety of his house. Not until we were in his room with the door shut and locked, did he finally let go of my hand, and it was only to engulf me in his embrace. I felt him tremble.
“Rae,” he clasped me tighter if that was possible, “I don’t want you to go back until your mom is home.”
Fine with me. Whatever Step-Vader had in mind, I wasn’t going to find out.
“Yes, Peter,” I agreed. The fear in my voice was palpable.
“I felt the danger,” he admitted as if he needed to explain why he was at the treehouse at that precise moment.
Peter and I have always been able to sense one another since we were kids. I never gave it much thought until today, but it was a bit odd how we could feel anxiety, tension, fear, or anger about the other. We’ve grown up together and we’re close. It makes sense that we would know each other’s thoughts and feelings as well as we do . . .
But sometimes I wonder if there’s something more between us.
Pete pulled me over to the bed and lay down, hugging my waist against his lean muscular frame, “It’s alright. You’re safe. I’d never let anyone harm you.”
I began to relax, not realizing how the fear had made me tense.
Pete kissed the top of my head softly, “You can always stay here. Whenever you want. My dad would never know anyway, and if he did, there’s nothing Mack would say.”
“I know,” I snuggled closer, burying my head in the crook of his arm. “I will if I need to.”
“It’s an open invitation . . . whether you need to or not.”
“I know.”
“How about a movie?”
“Sure.”
“What sounds good? Action? Romance?”
He made a face and I laughed, “The new Spiderman?”
His entire face lit up with a wide grin, “You sure know how to make me happy.”
Three minutes later the movie was on, and I shifted until my head to lay over his heart, “You make me happy too Pete.”
He hugged me tighter, running one hand slowly up and down my arm. The effect was instantly calming. My eyes fluttered and closed. I was safe in his embrace, just like I always used to be with my dad . . .
“Rae.”
I opened my eyes as soon as I heard Peter’s voice, “Umm . . . yes?”
My voice was groggy, and my eyelashes felt like they were stuck together.
“Rae, wake up!” Peter sat up next to me, “We slept all night. It’s the morning.”
I forced my eyes to pop open and looked over at the alarm beside his bed. It read six o’clock. Nearly in a panic, I blurted, “We slept the whole night? Seriously?”
He laughed, “Yes, I guess we were both relaxed and tired.” He stood and stretched, “Give me ten minutes and then I’ll take you home to get ready.”
I heard him hop in the shower and lay back down on his bed. Ten minutes? Why did it always take me at least forty-five to get ready?
Boys have it so lucky.
I pulled my phone from my jeans pocket and checked the screen. Nothing from my mother. Nine texts from Charles. Three from Hayley. Email. Nothing else. I swiped my finger across the screen and opened my messages. Hayley was just checking in and saying hello. Step-Vader, however, was not only angry but threatening. If he saw me this morning, I was going to get it.
