“Maybe,” I whisper. “Can we wait until Dad gets in here?”
“I’m here, Soph,” his deep voice is loud in the small room. “What’s going on?” He looks tired. If I had to guess, he fell asleep watching TV, and Jay had to wake him up.
“Someone may have been following me home tonight. I don’t know for sure because they sped off when I pulled in the driveaway, but I have a gut feeling he’s following me again.”
“Why didn’t you come straight inside when you got here?” Mom pounds her hand on the table. Nothing fires her up like Dawson interfering with my life.
“I was freaked out, Mom.” What else did she expect me to do? “I’m pretty sure I was in shock.”
“When did your restraining order expire?” Dad cuts in before Mom can say anything else.
“They expire?” Seriously? I thought once you got one it was a done deal, the person it was against couldn’t mess with you ever again.
“Yes, they expire, dummy.” Jay sits on the table despite Mom’s angry scowl.
“Then I guess it’s expired now,” I sigh. “He must have been biding his time until he could come close to me again. Can I refile it?”
“Yes,” Dad says. “We need to get that taken care of as soon as possible in case he tries anything. Why didn’t you read the whole thing Sophia?”
“I just assumed that since he stopped harassing me, I’d be fine.” How was I supposed to know the stupid order expired? The months following my break up with Dawson are a blur. Living in a constant state of fear, and never wanting to leave the house. He did that to me. I allowed him to affect me that much.
“You can’t assume anything with a person like Dawson, Honey,” Mom grabs my hand. “He was unhinged when you were together, and he didn’t get any better when you left.”
“You should probably stay here for a while,” Dad suggests. “At least until you can get a new restraining order against him.”
Color me unsurprised. I knew that was coming, but I’m not going to let that asshole scare me out of staying in my own apartment. “No, Dad. I have a place of my own. I can’t let y’all rescue me every time something happens.”
“That’s our job as parents, Soph.” He leans back in the chair. “We protect our children when they are in danger. And… you are in danger when it comes to him. Whether you want to believe it or not.”
“Will buying pepper spray make you feel any better about me staying at me own place?” It’s a long shot, but worth it.
“Nope,” Mom pops the “p” as she shakes her head. “But, if Jay stays with you, we’ll consider it.”
“Seriously?” Glancing at Jay, I await his outburst at the unfairness of it all. But it doesn’t come.
“Sorry, Sis. I’m with Mom and Dad,” he shrugs. “You get me, or you get your old bedroom.”
Dad gives him an appreciative smile. “So, what will be?”
There’s no way around this. I can see it in the stony expressions on their faces. Groaning, I lay my head on the table. “Fine, you can stay with me, Jay.”
“Not the choice I would I have made, but it’s one I can live with,” Mom pats me on the back before standing up.
“Go grab your crap,” I wave my hand in the air. “I’m tired and ready to go home.”
After we’ve told our parents our goodbyes, we head to my apartment. It’s a short drive, but I’m still pouting. This is not how I planned on my night turning out. The original plan was to head home, think over Adrian’s actions with me today, and figure out how to approach him tomorrow.
I’ll be lucky to make into work tomorrow without my brother tagging along. Maybe I should text Corey to see if I can take a personal day. Not that I want to. They are all perfectly capable of managing the shop without me, but I don’t want to let them down. As we pull into my complex, I decide right then and there that I will not let him scare me away from my job.
Jay and I will go see about a restraining order in the morning, then I’ll go to work. Business as usual.