Harassenger: Backseat Admirer ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

After my meeting with Holt that ended unexpectedly fast, with no outcome, I snuggled back into my bed for a good hour. As my nap ended, I headed down the stairs to see how my mother was doing alone. Jamie was being watched by my mom's friend, so my mom shouldn't be struggling much.

As I walked down the flight of stairs, I see Mick Conrad waiting for my like Prince Charming and my heart somersaults. I hadn't expected to see him so soon after the trip, and I had to pinch my wrist to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

"Nice slippers, Fisher." This definitely wasn't a dream. No way I could embarrass myself with pink, bunny slippers and it not be a dream.

"Thanks. I was taking a nap." I said, slightly mortified.

"You look like you need it. Did you sleep yesterday or were you up all night thinking about seeing me again?" Did he honestly read my mind?

"You wish, Mick. No, I slept but I woke up with yet another headache. It's been quite a day back." I said, coming down to stand level with his face, which was a couple of steps above his. He looked great dressed down in sweatpants and a white shirt with earpieces laying flat on his shoulders. His hair hadn't been brushed, and yet his 'dressed down' look wasn't dressed down enough.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"No, I won't burden you. Go work out; that's what you're here for, isn't it?"

"I mean, I came here to work out, but that's not the only reason. I don't go back to work until the end of the week, so I thought we could hang out more before then." As he brought up his job, I suddenly remembered him telling me leaving Salty Edge once the summer was over. I could feel the pain in my head throb more, and I suddenly wanted to fall apart on the stairs, but I help my composure. It was best he was leaving, for my own sanity, so while he was here, I'd enjoy it as much as I could.

"Alright. I'll show you upstairs." I'd rather be upstairs than downstairs where my mother would likely interrogate Mick again.

He followed behind me to my living room, making himself comfortable on the couch I had often slept on. That couch would never be the same again, like many other things he's touched.

"Want something to drink?" I asked, as I was drinking him in.

"No, I had a shake on the way."

"Protein?"

"Nah, chocolate from Sonic." I laughed, wondering how he stayed so fit.

"Alright. Well, I'll turn on the TV."

"You look nervous, Natt." I was, and him saying that didn't make things better. I didn't often bring some guy into my house, and it wasn't often that my sister wasn't around to pester my guest. I was alone with a boy, a boy I wanted to pounce on.

"I'm not." I assured him, smiling before taking a seat next to him.

"Lying isn't a good look for you."

"Mick, why would I be nervous?" I nervously laughed, flipping through the channels on my smart television.

"Something on your mind? A man, perhaps, on your mind?" His hand rested against my neck, rubbing his thumb along the base of my jugular and causing me to frantically pick a channel I never watched before.

"Holt?" He continued.

Phew. Dodged a bullet there.

"Yeah, actually. His business partner, Pete or Peter, I can't remember his name, wants to close my gym down, ultimately forcing us out of her home so he can build something in its place to flock tourists."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I tried to talk to Holt, but he didn't want to be confrontational. He said he'd talk to the guy about it, but no promises. Close to a compromise isn't good enough. Close is only good for horseshoes and hand grenades."

"I agree. I should mention that my father is friends with your friend's boss. I told you my father was a busy man, and he has made a lot of enemies, but a lot of friends in this town. I can talk to my father, or I can talk to Holt's boss directly."

"No, no. As if. It's not your fight to handle. It's Holt's boss and my problem; I can't drag you into it."

"If I can do something, anything to help, I'll do it. There's nothing I wouldn't do to help you out, even if that means talking to my father and asking for help. When your life is on the line, I don't think anything else should matter."

"It's not my life; it my home and my sister's, and my mom's."

"And that's your life. Let me see what I can do. Come with me."

Bringing me in my pajamas, I was in the parking lot parked by Holt's work truck.

I waited impatiently for almost an hour waiting in Mick's Tundra.

The only reason it could take this long is if they were fighting, or so I thought.

Coming out of the swing door was Mick. He opened the driver side door, hopping in and starting his car without so much a peep.

"What happened? It didn't work, did it?" I sat back, disappointed.

"When are you ever going to trust me? I told you my father had a pull in this town. I had the boss call my father and the two of them worked things out like real men. The boss admired my confidence and honesty regarding the situation, and was happy to see I showed initiative. My father likes a good negotiation, so it wasn't a surprise he did me a favor for once.  Consider Pete's uncalled visit to your mom a thing of the past. It's over."

"It's not that I didn't trust you. I just didn't think it would be finished with in a matter of a day. You saved me some much strife and so my family will be grateful."

"As long that pretty little head of yours doesn't have to hurt anymore, that's all that matters."