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Fucking hell.
“Bash!”
“Bash, over here!”
“What are you doing here, Bash?”
“Is this your new girlfriend? Is she the reason you decided to come here?”
“Bash!”
My hand tightens around Penelope’s as I quickly weigh my options. If this was any other day, I would have pushed through them without a single thought, hopped onto my bike, and got the hell out of there. But I couldn’t do that, not with Penelope and Henry with me.
Shit.
Letting the door fall shut, I turn on the balls of my feet. “There is a back exit. Come.”
I push past the people who have gathered behind us. I could even see some with phones in their hands filming.
My jaw clenches, but we don’t have the time. Not if we want to get out of here and avoid the paparazzi.
“How are they already here?”
“I have no idea,” I mutter as we all but run down the hallway. “But I’ll get you out of here.”
Maybe I should have left alone. Maybe that would have given Penelope a chance to get out of here unnoticed. Maybe…
I shake my head, pushing the thoughts away. I knew better than to believe anything would have changed. Yes, part of the paparazzi would have followed after me, but I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t risk leaving Penelope all on her own in case any of them stayed behind. Because if something were to happen to her…
“I’d never do that, you know that, right?”
I come to a sudden stop, turning so I’m facing her. She looks completely appalled by the prospect. “Fuck, of course, I know it.”
“And my friends…”
I cup her cheek. “I know, Penelope. It never crossed my mind that it was you or your friends. Unfortunately, this shit happens more often than not. I guess it was just a matter of time. I hoped I could get us out of here quickly and figure out what the hell’s going on, but it’s too late now.”
“I’m sorry. I know you wanted to avoid publicity.”
I lift my hand, cradling her cheek. “I did, but it is what it is.” I skim my finger over the soft skin. “Let’s just go home?”
I don’t want to deal with this shit just yet, and staying on campus meant exactly that. I wanted to go back home, encompass us into our little bubble and pretend like none of this was real.
“Yeah, okay.” She looks around, still unsure, nibbling at her lip. “Do you mind if I get Henry?”
My instant reaction is no. I didn’t want her to get Henry, but I shoved that feeling down and loosened my hold on her. I know how important Penelope’s independence is to her, and I won’t be the one to take it away from her.
“Sure.”
Handing her the harness, I watch as she puts it on before we are at the back exit. I peek outside, confirming the coast is clear before letting Penelope and Henry out.
We’re quiet as we make our way back to the apartment, my eyes constantly scanning the space around us. I was familiar with the paparazzi, and just how relentless they could be once they set their mind on something. If they got all the way from L.A. to Blairwood, they were here for blood, and there was no way they would give up easily.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take us long to get back to our building, and there are no more reporters, at least not that I can see. I hold the door open as we get inside.
“You want to come over and order something to eat?” I ask as we climb up to our floor.
I knew I should probably try and figure out what the hell is going on, but I worried that if I did, it would change everything. I wasn’t ready to face whatever it was.
