Chapter 34 #2
“You have nothing to worry about,” I reply, certain in this moment that I’m going to resign as soon as the Winter Classic is over. I’ll be damned if I allow Grey Patterson to be the reason that keeps Vox and me apart.
Grey simply nods. “I really don’t think Vox’s dad will be able to get to him, but we’ll be keeping an eye out just in case.”
“When does this stalking begin?” I ask, unable to mask my irritation at the blatant disregard for Vox’s privacy and autonomy, as well as the fact that I’m easier to read than a children’s book when it comes to Vox Montgomery. My only consolation is knowing Vox is hearing this entire conversation.
“Security is already stationed at the entrance to the staff condos. Vox will most likely see them when he leaves in the morning, but he won’t know they’re there for him specifically.”
Oh, but he will.
I nod. “Right. Well, if that’s all?” I say, politely suggesting it’s time to leave.
“Of course,” Grey says, turning toward the door.
He never came inside beyond the foyer, and I didn’t make the offer to take his coat.
“He seems to listen to you more than the rest of us. I knew bringing you on was a smart choice, but don’t make me regret it.
It’s easy to get sucked into Vox’s orbit, and it’s not so easy to get out, but Lang…
I’ll do whatever it takes to protect him, do you understand? ”
My stomach rolls as I give the only answer I can. “Yeah.”
But who’s going to protect him from you? I wonder.
I see Grey out and watch his headlights disappear before heading to the small back patio to turn off the grill, then rush to my room.
Vox is sitting on my bed, hugging my pillow to his chest.
“We both know if my dad’s here, it’s because he wants money, but unfortunately for him, I’m not big on sentimentality.
I owe him nothing. You, on the other hand,” Vox says, “you offered to house me and almost blew our entire cover just to protect me.” He nuzzles into my chest as I slide next to him on the bed. “I hate keeping you a secret.”
“As soon as you’re across the finish line, I’m quitting Patterson,” I tell him, kissing the top of his head.
He sits up so fast he almost knocks my teeth out.
“No! I don’t want to be coached by anyone else.”
“Vox, I thought losing boarding was the worst thing that could happen to me, but I’ve come to realize that nothing would be worse than losing you. We can’t keep us a secret for much longer. You heard how I flew off the handle at Grey. I’m pretty sure he’s on to us anyway.”
“But I’m locked into that contract for another five years. How will we make that work?”
“I’ll think of something. I’ll go back to selling insurance if I have to. You and I can board on the weekends, we’ll have the evenings, and sleepovers where neither of us has to hide when there’s a knock on the door. In the off-season, we’ll take weekend trips and start building a life.”
“This is so fucking ridiculous. I was so close to having it all,” Vox grumbles.
“You still can,” I tell him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Please let me stay here tonight,” he begs.
How am I supposed to tell him no? I wouldn’t want to go back to be babysat by guard dogs either. Not only that, but there’s that note of vulnerability in Vox’s tone that I’ve only heard a couple times before.
“I’d love nothing more than for you to stay here.” Then another thought occurs to me. “Your phone’s off, right?”
“Mmhmm,” he hums against my chest. He’s silent for a beat, then, “Do you really think my dad’s here?
” he asks, the hope in his voice obliterating my heart.
Parent-child relationships are complicated, and I have no doubt that Vox loves his dad as much as he resents him and is angry at him.
I think almost every kid wants their parents to be proud of them, even if those parents didn’t stick around or contribute much. It’s just embedded in our wiring.
“I’m not sure. Would you want to see him if he is?” I ask carefully, stroking my fingers along the smooth skin on Vox’s side.
“No. He’s had his chance, and maybe it’s immature, but I’m still pissed that he left in the first place. I mean, I’m twenty-five and fairly famous. It’s not like it would take a lot for him to find me. Hell, fans manage just fine.”
I can’t sympathize with him because I don’t have the same abandonment issues, but my heart is certainly hurting for him, and I’m growing angrier by the second at his father.
I’ve never understood how parents could walk away from a child as if they were simply a purchase they wished to return, but knowing it was Vox he walked away from makes me irate.
Vox sighs, and I can’t help but think maybe he’s saying no because he feels like he’s supposed to say no, as if wanting a chance at closure, or a yelling match, or to throw a punch makes him weak.
I may not have experienced it myself, but I do know it’s incredibly difficult for children to cut their parents completely out of their lives.
I don’t say any of this to Vox, though. He has enough to deal with without me adding conflicting feelings about his dad into the mix.
I’ll just offer support by staying silent and letting him vent. If he’s angry at his dad, then so am I, and I’ll make sure the man gets nowhere close.