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Chapter 14: Preperations

I hear the front door slam and I sit bolt upright, grabbing the gun off my nightstand. Dan sits next to me with his arm wrapped around my waist.
"Becca I'm home!" My dad calls from the living room. I sigh and put the gun back down slowly. Dan glances at the clock on my nightstand.
"Wow, 3:30 already."
"3:30?" I ask shocked. "I slept for almost 4 hours?" Dan shrugs.
"You must have been tired."
"I haven't slept that soundly in months."
"Must be me," Dan says, winking at me. I smirk and push his shoulder.
"Becca, where are you?" My dad calls as I hear his feet thunder up the staircase.
"In my room dad, with Dan." My father walks in the door and looks at Dan suspiciously.
"Anything happen while I was gone?" He asks accusingly. Dan and I both shake and wave our hands furiously.
"No no dad, don't think that way. I fell asleep. That's all, after we talked for a little." My dad nods and his expression softens.
"Well good news, after over three hours at the shooting range I have brushed up my skills and you'll be pleased to know that I haven't lost my touch." I smile and stand up, pulling Dan to his feet.
"Congrats dad. Have you called Carolyn yet?"
"Yep, I called her on the way to the shooting range. She said that it was fine for Dan to stay here and wanted to know if anything changed in the situation. I told her I would update her if anything happened."
"Great. So dad, do you want to go have a shower while Dan and I make dinner? I'll make that Thai stir-fry you love." He nods and hugs me.
"Sure Rebecca. Thanks, I love you." He says before kissing the top of my head.
"I love you too dad." My dad lets go of me and walks towards his room to have a shower as Dan and I walk down to the kitchen.
"So what are we doing?" Dan asks confused.
"Making dinner. You get the ingredients and I'll make the meal. Sound ok?" Dan shrugs.
"Works for me." I smile.
"Good, then let's get to work."
I told Dan what to grab and I started making it. After an hour of working, Dan and I have finished the Thai stir-fry and my dad has set the table for the three of us. We then sit down and I serve the meal for us. As we say we are silent the gravity of Madison's threat weighing heavily on my mind. I know everyone will do what they can but that doesn't make me any less nervous. My thoughts float to the note that was left in my room at the beginning of summer-the threat from X.
"Becca!" My dad yells, snapping me out of my thoughts. I shake my head before looking at him.
"Yeah?"
"I called you three times, are you alright?" I shrug.
"Yeah I'm fine, just thinking about my suspension almost being over." The lie rolls off my tongue like second nature. I quickly look down at my food but don't miss the glare that Dan gives me. When dinner is finished, my dad loads the dishes into the dishwasher while Dan and I go into the basement, also known as the TV room. I've barely sat down on the couch when Dan says something to me.
"Liar."
"Liar what?" I ask turning to look at him. He gives me a look and I cast my gaze down at my hands.
"We both know you don't give a damn about the suspension so you want to tell me what you were really thinking about?"
"The threat." I say quietly.
"Please Bec," Dan says sarcastically. "None of Madison's goons are going to get anywhere near you."
"Not that threat Dan." I repond to him so quietly I'm not even sure if he heard me. Then he slides onto the couch, pulling me close.
"Becca, don't worry. Your dad and i are both here-the guy who wrote the threat will never hurt you. Besides with your dad's kick-ass gun abilities and your padelwan training abilities-" I stare at him and he smirks. "You'll be just fine."
"Thanks Dan. I just hope you're right."
"Have I ever been wrong before?" He asks in a cocky manner that doesn't suit him at all. I lean back and look at him. "Never mind Bec, don't answer that." I nod signaling that it's a good idea for me not to answer.
"So how are your hand to hand combat skills?" I ask him suddenly. Catching me off guard he throws a left hook stopping directly in front of my right eye. For a moment I'm staring directly at his fist before he lets it drop.
"Sharp as ever."
"You know Dan, being cocky doesn't suit you." He shrugs.
"I can't be cocky once and a while? I mean if I know I'm telling the truth why can't I be cocky?" I shift closer to him, so my left shoulder is now gently pressed against his side.
"Because sometimes you could think you're right and actually be wrong." Dan turns to his left so we are now staring into each other's eyes. His gaze flickers down to my lips and then back up to my eyes.
"You're going to kiss me now." Dan says with a slight cocky undertone just to bother me. His shining blue eyes hold my gaze as I lean in to kiss him. Then I quickly pull away and lean back against the armrest of the couch.
"Told you not to be cocky-sometimes you're wrong when you think you're right."
"Bec you are such a tease." He whines through a smile.
"Am not, I was merely making a point."
"So you were going to kiss me."
"I guess we'll never know, will we Daniel." Suddenly, with lightning speed, Dan slides across the couch, puts his hand on my waist and pulls me close to him bridging the gap between us as our lips collide. His lips feel soft as they gently press against mine, our lips move in sync. After several moments, we lean back, both breathing deeply.
"I missed this-I missed you."
"Then make me a promise right now." I reply in a whisper, leaning my forehead gently against his.
"Anything."
"Never leave me again?" Dan smiles.
"Now THAT is a promise I will gladly keep till the end of time." We both smile as he pulls me close once again, sliding on the leather of the couch, pulling us both to the floor. I laugh at Dan and he smirks. Lying on the floor, I rest my head on his chest and wonder how I could be so lucky to have Dan as my loving, devoted boyfriend.