Patrick’s pov

The past two weeks have gone by so slow because of course I made plans to visit Lydia, so naturally the week and days leading up to it are going to be slow. When my classes finally let out on Friday I practically ran to my room. I pre-packed almost everything last night and only needed to pack my hygiene stuff I used this morning and my books for homework. I grabbed snacks, drinks, and gas and headed out. I made it to Lydia’s about one in the morning and I was surprised to see her still up, but I wasn’t expecting her to be out on her front porch.

“Why are you still up, pretty girl?” I asked, grabbing my stuff and walked up to her porch.

“I was waiting for you and I couldn’t sleep” she said, getting up to meet me at the top of the steps.

“Well, I’m here now, so lets go to bed” I said, wrapping her in a hug. It felt so nice to actually hold her. I let her go and gathered my stuff as we walked into the house. She locked the door behind us as we walked upstairs. I could finally see that she was dragging. There were a couple times that I had to catch her so she wouldn’t fall. We finally made it to her room and she barely made it to the bed before passing out. I laughed to myself a little bit as I shrugged out of my clothes and climbed into bed wrapping my arms around her and fell into the best sleep I ever have when I’m with her.


Amelia’s pov

The past two weeks have been some of the best I’ve had for a while. I don’t hang around Kam’s shop everyday because I knew I was losing Lydia to Pat this weekend, so I wanted to hangout with her before Pat gets her.

“Are you sure you don’t want to hang out with Pat this weekend?” she asked me the Friday Pat was coming. We were hanging out by our cars waiting for the traffic to thin down.

“I’m sure. You guys need to have time together” I said, looking at her. I know she was worried about me, but I was better especially after Pat’s last visit. This visit was for them.

“Thank you” she said, giving me a hug before she got in her car and headed home. I waved as she pulled out of the parking lot. I was getting in the jeep when my phone went off with a text, expecting it to be Kam I pulled it out of my pocket, but it was from my dad.

‘Please come straight home after school. You will need to have all of your homework done as we are expecting a guest for dinner and I expect you to be downstairs with us and not holed up in your room or wherever you go after school.’ I let out a sigh, but I texted him back and texted Kam.

‘I’ve been summoned back to the crypt by the crypt keeper’

‘Damn. I was looking forward to seeing you today’

‘Me too’ I put my phone in the cup holder and headed home.

When I got home I wanted nothing more than to be at the shop with Kam.

“This better be good” I mumbled to myself as I walked in and froze in my tracks. Standing in the living room was the man I’m pretty sure was stalking me at school.

“Ah, Amelia. Come and meet our guest” my father said, gesturing to me with his hand. My feet finally started working again. “Amelia, this is Decland. He’s an old friend of mine” my father said, gesturing at him.

“Hi, nice to meet you” I said, holding out my hand for Declan to shake.

“The pleasure is all mine, Amelia,” he said, shaking my hand. I couldn’t help the shiver that ran down my back as he said my name.

“I’ll be right back, I have to do some last minute homework assignments” I said, excusing myself. In truth I had everything done and I planned on continuing my book while I watched Kam work on his truck. I was supposed to go see his place today, but it looks like I’ll be eating dinner with my stalker. When I got to my room I sent a quick text to Kam.

‘My dad invited my stalker over for dinner’ and not even thirty seconds later my phone was ringing with a call from Kam.

“What do you mean your dad invited your stalker over for dinner?” he asked before I could even say hello.

“Apparently, the guy who followed me is a friend of my dad’s” I said, pacing my room.

“Does your dad know that he stalked you that day?” he asked, I heard a door close and figured he must have gone into the shop’s office.

“No. I never told anyone about that day. Except for you” I said, sitting on my bed.

“You should probably tell someone else. Maybe Pat?” he asked and I knew he was right.

“Yeah. I’ll tell Pat later this weekend. He’s with Lydia right now and I don’t want him stressing over it.” I said, folding my knees to my chest “I’m scared, Kam” I couldn’t help, but admit.

“My offer is still open, Amelia” he said and I almost accepted it again right there.

“I might have to take you up on it after this dinner” I said, laughing a little, but I was serious.

“If you do, I'll text you the address” he said and I could hear the smile in his voice.

“I better go. Homework doesn’t take long” I said, not wanting to hang up, but I knew I had to.

“I understand. Text me if you need me” he said. I smiled and we  hung up. I let out sigh and changed my clothes and went back downstairs. I’m not looking forward to this dinner at all, but Pat isn’t here and he can’t continue to fight my battles for me anymore.


Lydia’s pov

After I got home from school I started picking things up around the house. Not that Pat cares if it’s messy or not, but I care. I washed dishes, did laundry, put books back on the shelves, and ordered dinner supplies for the weekend. Then I sat down and finished my homework. After the groceries were delivered and put away I put on one of Pat’s hoodies and went outside. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to sleep until Pat got here and my decision to stay up is taking a toll on me. I wobbled a little as I got up to meet him.

“Why are you still up, pretty girl?” he asked, gathering his stuff

“I can’t sleep when I know you're coming” I said, meeting him at the top of the stairs. He gave me one of his hugs that I love so much before we went inside so we could go to bed.


Kamryn’s pov

When I woke up this morning I was in a good mood and I’ll be damned if I let stupid ass Scott ruin it. He’s been on my last damn nerve all day and the only thing keeping me from throttling his ass has been Amelia. We’ve been texting off and on all day and she’s been the one to help control my temper. At least until her after school text came through about having to go home and then finding out she’s supposed to have dinner with the creep who's been stalking her. I was surprised I kept my cool during our phone call, but I didn’t want to scare her more. We reluctantly hung up so she wouldn’t feel her dad’s wrath. If I’m being honest I didn’t want to hang up the phone. I went back to ignoring Scott’s comments and thanked the Lord when it was closing time. I waited until everyone left before locking up and driving home. When I got home I showered and changed and made myself dinner. I was hoping that I would get to see Amelia tonight, but I’m not holding my breath.


Amelia pov

I did not want to be at this dinner at all, but I had to because I couldn’t be rude. These are the times that I wish Pat were still here so he could act as a buffer, but now it’s time to sit through so I can go to Kam’s later. I socialized before dinner and during I was the perfect daughter at least until my dad dropped the biggest bombshell of all.

“Amelia, there’s a reason your mother and I invited Declan here tonight” my dad said, looking at me with that weirdly blank stare of his.

“Why?” I asked scared to know the answer, but needing to know.

“Well, since Pat doesn’t want anything to do with the family anymore and I can’t have you running it alone I’ve come up with the idea of Declan marrying you and he’s agreed it’s a great idea” he said, looking at me as I gaped at him.

“You can’t be serious” I said, looking at both of my parents. “I can’t and will not marry someone I don’t know” I said not caring that I was being rude, but the last thing I was going to do was marry a complete stranger.

“Kaden, this isn’t the reason you told me Declan was here. I will not have my daughter marrying a complete stranger” my mom said. Thankful that my mom was on my side.

“I’m sorry, dear, but we wanted to keep it a surprise” was all my dad said. Declan though was quiet throughout the whole exchange. A little too quiet for my liking and that was dangerous.

“Excuse me” I said, getting up and ignoring the calls as I left. By the time I made it to my room I felt like I was hyperventilating. I grabbed my phone and texted Kam.

‘My dad wants me to marry his friend’ it didn’t take long for him to text back.

‘What? Why?’

‘Some bullshit reason involving Pat’

‘Do you want to come over?’ I was too dumbstruck by his request that it took me a minute to answer.

‘Yes’


Kamryn’s pov

As soon as Amelia’s answer came through I sent her the address. Then I tried to make sure everything was somewhat decent before she got here. A few minutes later I saw her jeep pull up and I was even more nervous than ever.

“Hey” I said, walking out to meet her as she got out. “I’m glad you made it” I said, taking in her appearance. She was in sweatpants and my hoodie.

“Me too” she said, walking up to me. I could tell that she’s more relaxed than she had to have been at the dinner.

“So, did you just leave or?” I asked, looking at her a little concerned.

“Yeah. I was not going to stay there anymore. Especially after being told I was to marry a complete stranger” she said, looking at me.

“So, what excuse did your dad use as to why you have to marry this guy?” I asked, looking at her.

“He said since Pat didn’t want anything to do with the family anymore and he couldn’t have me running it on my own so he wants me to marry this guy who I don’t know” she said, sitting on the front step.

“That doesn’t make any sense” I said, sitting next to her.

“Something else is going on and it has to do with why my dad has been acting so weird” she said, hanging her head. Seeing her so defeated I did the only thing I could do I put my arm around her and pulled close to my side and leaned my shin on her head as she buried her face in my chest. I left her tears soak my shirt, but I didn’t care. She needed me in this moment so I let her get it all out.