Protecting Kendra

Chapter 11 - Kendra

We arrived at the apartment complex 30 minutes before all the roommates were scheduled to get off work. I'm glad that they don't live in a single-story house. I would feel creepy sitting in the driveway waiting for the last one to walk in. We park a few rows down where we suspect the visitor parking is. We can't see the apartment door from here, but I'm thankful for another little piece of solitude. Paxton stays silent after we park. I used to find his "guard mode" annoying. I hate silence. I can physically feel my brain going crazy when there isn't noise. However, right now, the silence is the only thing keeping my brain on track. I looked over my notes and began frantically thinking of anything else that I could add. I don't feel like it's good enough. I started to rub my head. All of this pressure I'm putting on myself is giving me a headache.

"We have some time. Why don't you take a minute to close your eyes and breathe? You won't be any good if you give yourself a migraine before you can even talk to them." I let out a breath and nodded my head. He's right. I leaned my chair back and closed my eyes. Paxton cracked the windows, letting the sound of the nearby fountain flood through. He knows I fall asleep to the sound of rain on my phone when my brain won't quiet down. It's definitely effective. Before I know it, my whole body is relaxed and dangerously close to falling asleep. "Okay, new plan. You take my notes and talk to the roommates while I stay here and nap." His laughter creates a wave of goosebumps that cover my body. "Nice try. You just have to hang in there a little bit longer." I looked at the clock and saw we still had 10 minutes until we could make our way to their apartment.

"Do you mind if we get out? There's a pond over there with a jogging path around it." I started to pack my things up, knowing that he was going to say yes. "Sure, I'm always up for a quick workout." He's crazy if he thinks I'm about to do cardio right now. "I swear you are the human form of an Australian Shepherd. You can never be still more than a few minutes." I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Really? An Australian Shepherd? I'd like to think I'm more like a German Shepherd, or a Pitbull." I patted his shoulder mockingly. "You keep telling yourself that." He glared, but I knew it was all in good humor. "At least I'm still a dog and not a cat. Little miss never wants to leave the apartment or break a sweat." My mouth hung open. "Hey now. I'm out of the apartment right now, aren't I?" He looked down with a tilt of his head. "For work. When is the last time you went out to have a little fun?" He thought he was about to win this, so I enjoyed my response. "Actually, Tori and I are currently working on plans to do just that." He groaned. I couldn't entirely blame him for his response. He's had to come drive us home from more than one drunken night out. "I take it back. Please continue being a house cat." I couldn't help but laugh. It didn't take him long to join in. He looked down at his watch and said, "Looks like it's time to head back up." He stopped to turn around, but I continued on. "Just one more time around. It'll give them time to settle in after work. I turned my head for his response and found him smiling. "Yes ma'am."

We ended up taking two more walks around the path before we began to make our way back. We were having such a great time that we barely remembered to grab my things from the truck. When we finally made it to the front door, there was a girl fumbling with her keys. "You must be here for the interview." She continued to put the keys in the lock without even turning her head towards us in the slightest. You would think after what happened to her roommate that she would be a little more cautious. "Yes, that would be us. I'm Kendra and this is Paxton. She finally turned to face me and shook the hand I had extended. She made a "Hmm" sound as if I was bothersome. She wasn't very pleasant, but I was trying not to make my judgment on her just yet. That is, until she turned to shake Paxton's hand next. Her whole demeanor changed. She stood a little straighter and attempted to straighten her hand with her free hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Alicia." She drew out her name as if she was attempting to cast a spell on him. I knew neither of them could see my face, so I didn't try to contain my eye roll. "Come inside, I'll give you the tour. Just ignore my bedroom. It's a little bit of a mess." She stepped inside while managing to keep her eyes fixated on Paxton. I knew he was going to be polite to ease her, so I beat him to a reply. "You can just keep your door closed if you'd like. The only room we are interested in seeing is Emily's." I offered her a smile, but I'm sure she could tell it was fake. Seems to be her expertise. She mimicked my smile and turned. "The other girls are this way." Paxton leaned his head down as we walked so only I could hear his words. "I'm definitely glad that you're a cat. If you were a dog, you would be pissing all over me." I kept my head forward as I replied "I have no idea what you are talking about." I barely heard him say "Mhmm" as we rounded the corner to meet the other roommates. I could feel his smile radiating behind me. I should have left him in the truck.