Angel Academy

Chapter Thirty-two

Niamh's POV

I watched as Heath attempted to run after Dean, huge smiles on both their faces. Often Heath would fall, but before I could act like an overprotective mother, he would quickly get back up and continue running after Dean. Jeremy sat beside me, eyes scanning the room and glaring at anyone and anything. It really put me on edge having him around. I remembered what happened when I got home, but I haven't told anyone. The only reason Jeremy is even still around is because I haven't gotten a chance to talk to him when the little ones aren't in the house.

"Nice party," Caleb says as he approaches us carrying a little girl. The little girl has pigtails and is wearing a cute little yellow sundress. She's also smiling at everyone she comes in contact with.

Jeremy's hand tightens painfully on my hip, but I keep a smile on my face so Caleb doesn't notice. "Thanks." I push Jeremy's hand off and stand up, hugging Caleb and kissing his cheek. I could hear the sharp, angry intake of breath from behind me, but I forced myself to ignore it. "Who's this?" I smile at the little girl, and she hides her face, giggling.

Caleb passes her to me, and I take her in my arms. "This is Dorothy, my niece."

"I didn't know you had siblings," I say, tickling Dorothy, making her giggle and squirm in my arms.

Caleb's smile drops a little. "Heh, had. My younger brother, he- uh- passed away last spring."

"Oh," I murmur. "I'm sorry Caleb." I took his hand in mine and gave it a small squeeze.

Suddenly, as I was setting Dorothy on the ground so she could play with the other children at Angel Academy, Jeremy stands up and yanks my hand from Caleb's. He puffs his chest out and stands in front of Caleb. "Keep your hands off of my girl," he spits angrily.

Caleb is about to say something, but I shove between the two of them. "Jeremy, get out of here." He looks down at me in surprise. "This is Heath's day; not yours. Get out of here before you make the children fear that they're in danger."

"Don't even think about telling me what to do, bitch," he spits in my face.

Caleb steps in front of me, blocking my body from Jeremy with his. His voice is low and barely controlled as he says, "How dare you call her that. Get out of here, now. Go, before I throw you out."

Jeremy laughs a little. "You don't scare me, pig." When he realized Caleb wasn't moving, he gave us all one last withering look before turning from us and leaving the building.

I take a deep breath and sigh, leaning on the counter for support.

Corbin steps up to me and wraps his arm around my waist, helping to support me. Caleb wraps his arm around me from the other side and together they guide me to a chair. I smile sheepishly. "My stomach still isn't fully healed so standing for a long time really takes my energy from me," I admit begrudgingly. Embarrassed, I wipe the sweat from my brow and focus on taking calming breaths. Caleb and Corbin are both glaring at the door, standing together in front of me like Jeremy might come back in through the doors any minute and they'll have to spring to protect me.