Thea
The rest of the afternoon crawled by at a painfully slow pace.
I sat on a metal stool in the back of the shop, holding a bag of frozen peas wrapped in an oil-stained rag against my swollen cheekbone. Every time Sam walked past, he gave me a look that was equal parts protective father and stern boss.
"You don't have to stay here staring at inventory sheets all day, kiddo," Sam said around 5:00 PM, wiping down the counter. "Go rest up before your... whatever it is you're doing tonight."
"It's just a quick errand," I insisted, ducking my head so he couldn't inspect my split lip too closely.
At 5:30, I retreated to my tiny room off the garage to get ready. I opened my closet and stared at my meager wardrobe. Something you don't mind getting a little dirty in.
If he was trying to co
