Shoot For The Stars (Wesley Stromberg)

Chapter Eight: Mechanisms

Wes~            

She looked pretty harmless when she slept.

I half expected her to snore like an elephant but she was almost silent the whole night.

At times I was worried that she had stopped breathing and had to lean over to check.

Now, at 8am I was awake and watching over her.

To make sure she’s ok, obviously.

My finger trailed across her hip and drew circles, the way I knew all girls loved.

Except half of me knew that she wasn’t like all girls.

Something about her was so different.

Her strong, mean exterior was convincing but I saw through it.

When I asked her about the picture in her purse, she’d revealed more about the real her than she’d ever imagined possible.

Caught up in my own thoughts, I snapped out to the sound of the front door opening.

Slowly, peeling myself away from Scout, I set off downstairs.

I was poised and ready to attack just in case.

My eyes screwed up into a squint so I could see into the kitchen from the bottom of the stairs.

“Get up, son.” A manly voice commanded from behind me.

Immediately, I shot straight up and froze in fear.

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

I slowly turned around to face the man.

He looked tough, like a navy commander or something.

Someone who isn’t afraid to kill.

Gulp.

Even though he said he wasn’t going to hurt me, his glare said otherwise.

“Is Scout upstairs?” he asked.

I stared at him.

He wasn’t an intruder?

He knew her?

“H-how do you know Scout before I tell you anything?” I mumbled quietly.

The man chuckled and then straightened up again.

“You’re a good lad, keeping her safe. But there’s no need. I’m her father.”

I studied him more carefully and looked at his features.

They have the same eyes.

It was undeniable.

They were related.

I realized now why Scout was the way she was.

She had taken after her father.

She’s used his tough act as a defense mechanism.

“I brought her favorite.” He held up a box of orange juice. “Let’s make her some breakfast.”

I followed him into the kitchen.

**

“I’ll be back in a few.” Jeremy, Scout’s dad announced and went out the back door and disappeared.

I laid three plates on the bar and continued to cook the pancakes and waffles.

Jeremy told me all about Scout and their relationship.

“Wesley?” Scout called out.

She didn’t sound herself, like something was bothering her.

“Yes?” I replied, reassuringly.

She appeared in the doorway and walked over.

“You got this?” She asked and pointed to the orange juice.

I shook my head and flipped the last pancake.

Jeremy quietly reappeared and stood behind her.

“Hey baby girl.” He whispered.

I saw her let out a laugh.

She seemed shocked.