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Maybe I should do the self-defense classes?
Even the thought sent panic through me, and I shut that down. I’d think about it later.
After showering and brushing my teeth, I hit the lights and opened the door.
And stifled a scream because a guy was standing in the doorway of a room across the hallway from where I stood.
He held up a hand. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Just . . .” He trailed off, staring at me, probably processing that I was wearing his nephew’s shirt.
I got my first good look at Scout’s uncle.
He was older but still looked young. Maybe late thirties? Early forties. It was obvious he worked out. Golden brown skin. Dark eyes. Dark hair that was long enough to comb back. He had a rugged look to him. A square jaw. I could see why Scout said his uncle had a lot of one-night stands—if that was true. In all the time I’d spent here, his uncle was barely around, and if he was, he never brought a woman. Then again, it’d only been three weeks.
He coughed. “Scout said you’re staying the night. I just wanted to introduce myself so you’ll know who else is in the house, in case you get up during the night or something. I’m Miles. I’m, uh, Scout’s uncle.”
He seemed nervous, which eased my fear a little. I didn’t know why. “I’m Ramsay.”
“Ramsay.” He nodded. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m serious about the self-defense lessons. I do a course every Tuesday and Thursday night at six. There are a bunch of other women who take it, a few bring their daughters with them. You’re welcome to join. I just started a new class. You’d only be behind by a week, and that’s nothing.”
Scout’s door opened, and he stood there, still shirtless, frowning at us. He didn’t say anything.
“Right.” His uncle held up a hand. “I’m off to bed. Uh—”
“’Night,” Scout ground out.
His uncle barely gave him a glance, only giving me a tight smile before stepping back into his room and shutting his door.
I swung my eyes to Scout, who shook his head before stepping back inside.
I moved around him, putting my things on his desk and getting ready for the morning.
Scout tossed a charger on the mattress by me. I plugged it in on the other side of his bed and attached my phone. Then I moved to the far side of the bed. I’d been over here enough times to know he liked being on the outside. I got the wall. Normally, that would freak me out, but not with Scout.
I lay down and scrolled through my phone. He moved to lay next to me, doing the same. The lamp was still on, so I knew he’d get up at least one more time before going to sleep.
After a few minutes, Scout put his phone away. “What’d my uncle say?”
I lowered my phone to my chest. “He wanted to meet me, and I think to offer the self-defense classes. What’d you tell him about me?”
“He asked about your PTSD. It’s obvious you were, you know, attacked. He didn’t want the details, but I think it was mostly for him to know if you felt safe here or not. He has a soft spot for women and wants them to feel safe.”
I looked at him. He didn’t add anything, so I pointed out, “You do too.”
He looked my way, but he didn’t react. “That was basically it.”
“I liked it,” I told him.
“Liked what?”
“That he offered the classes. And the whistle and pepper spray. I liked that he gave them to you to give to me.”
He frowned. “He wants to meet your mom.”
“What?” I sat up.
“He said that’s a stipulation of your staying here tonight. He wants to make sure she knows you’re safe here.”
I swore, slumping. “She and I haven’t really talked about you and me.”
“You told me she knew earlier this week.”
“I did. She does. She did. But it’s been a week. I think she thinks this stopped.”
“She might like knowing you’re safe.”
I gave him a look. “You’re a fighter. The last guy I slept with . . .”
He grimaced slightly. “Why don’t we just let my uncle talk to her then?”
“That would be worse.”
“Look, she knows about us. My uncle also knows, but he doesn’t know the extent. You aren’t usually here when he gets in, so let’s . . .” He shrugged. “Let’s just have him talk to her. They can figure it out. He can reassure her you’re safe when you’re here. Maybe it’ll help?”
I gave him another look. “It’ll make it worse.”
He sighed. “He’s going to meet her whether you want him to or not. But that’s all he’ll do. He sticks his nose in to make sure everything is okay. I’m still training, still going to school, and if that doesn’t get messed with, he won’t care.” He made a face, his mouth flattening. “He thinks you’re my girlfriend now.”
