Роберт Уилсон - Days Since... - Jenny - Day 986

“We’ll call it even, then.” Jenny knew he meant it. His acts of kindness. His checking up on her. Grant’s concern never crossed the line of overbearing, never gave the impression he helped because he felt she couldn’t provide for herself. Never because she was just a girl. He was there because he cared, genuinely cared.

“Get some rest.”

After Grant left, she continued to read for another hour or two, anxiously biding her time before her inevitable conversation with Danny. He’s going to sit me out. I just know it. Numerous times she had to go back and read entire pages. Too worried. Too distracted. Occasionally, the stamping of boots outside her tent gave her hope, then nothing—no Danny.

In between her thoughts and any passing commotion, the silence was driving her mad. All that anticipation. Not to mention the worry of her pregnancy and how she’d manage that. Plus, how Danny would manage her in that condition once he knew. How much longer could she hide it? She palmed her belly with both hands. Still flat. Once this gets out, I’m done… And I thought Matt and Danny were overprotective before. S he set the book next to the lantern. There had been enough relaxing. I’m gonna go find him.

She slid her legs from the lounger and nearly knocked a canteen over that Grant had forgotten. May as well… A quick swig, refreshing. Thirst always seemed to sneak up on her, especially in the winter—the lack of heat and sweat gave her a false sense of being hydrated. It wasn’t until she saw the canteen that her mouth felt dry and wanting for what was inside. She drew a few more gulps then put it on her side table. Much better.

Secretively, she squeezed her head from the tent, peeking in both directions before sealing it back up. Still no Danny… What’s taking him so long? Jenny snatched her pants from atop a small trunk at the foot of her lounger. They were still cold from earlier, moist in some spots. She sighed, and with no other choice, began to jerk them on. But before she managed to get her second leg through, the tent’s zipper shook, startling her. “I’m changing. Give me a sec,” she forced a loud whisper.

The rustling didn’t let up.

“Hey!” No longer a whisper. “I’m changing. Give it up.” She hobbled toward the door, one leg still working to get inside a pant leg. “Stop, damn it!” Gripping the zipper, she managed to tear it away from the trespasser and seal it again. It seemed to be enough to deliver the message. “I’ll only be another second.”

“Jenny…”

Who the hell is that? “Matt?”

Nothing.

No, Matt knows not to just barge in here. Annoyed, she called out again, “Who is it?”

“Let me in. Or I’ll huff and I’ll puff…”

Her heart sank. Griffin. Damn it. Why…? I thought he was supposed to be gone. “Almost finished.” Although she wanted to scream, tell him off, she couldn’t, not with him. No one dared stand up to him. I’ve got to get out of here. “I’m heading out. We can talk outside.”

“That’s no good.”

Now, only a foot from the door, Jenny stood frozen in place, unable to move as the small zipper swung around its track. Her breathing accelerated. The tent seemed to be collapsing on her. She retreated, but with nowhere to go, her feet moved back toward the front. When he opens it up, I’m going to squeeze right by him. Waiting. Breathing. Then, the zipper stopped short, and Griffin pushed his way through, sealing the tent behind him, leaving nothing to chance. “Anyone else in here?” His eyes were serious, brown and deep.

Jenny lifted the partition to the back of her tent. “No one. Go ahead. Take a look.” She held her breath, waiting for his feet to move, so she could escape. Or at least try.

“I trust you. No need for that.” He stepped toward her, shoulders stiff and broad—tribal tattoos ran the length of his exposed arms. “What took you so long?” he asked, eyes locked, his path aimed squarely at her. She had no choice, but to bury herself further into the tent. “You know I don’t like secrets.”

“I said I was changing.”

“That should’ve been reason enough to let me in sooner,” he said, towering over her, barely a foot away.

She trembled down onto her lounger, her body folding inward, anything to keep him from touching her. It didn’t work. He set his hand on her shoulder. Her gut twitched. “You—you shouldn’t be in here,” she stumbled, managing something close to a whisper.

If Griffin had heard her, he didn’t lead on as such, his thumb began along her collar bone, longingly. Slight pressure. Lust-filled. “Something very special about you, you know?”

“Please…” She turned her head from him. His words, his touch made her skin crawl.

“Heard you were hurt, so I came to check on you.” Griffin lifted her chin, trying to force her eyes to meet with his, but she kept them away. “Gotta check on my folks, right? Can’t have people thinking that I don’t care. Isn’t that thoughtful of me?”

“Yes,”—she wriggled her face from his hand and tucked it into her shoulder—“very thoughtful.” She forced a hurt smile. “We all appreciate what you give us here.”

“I would hope so. Taking you three in out of the goodness of my heart. Who else would’ve done that?”

Jenny said nothing.

“Huh?” He grabbed her face, contorting it in his hand, leaning in toward her. “Who else would have been genius enough to see this place for what it is?” Spittle landed with his anger. “No one else had the resources to put this together. All this shit is mine.”

“I know it is.”

“You still owe me.”

Jenny gulped. “I—”

Griffin shoved her face. “And don’t you forget it.”

“Jenny, you decent?” It was Danny.

“Yes. Come in!” The zipper couldn’t make it around quick enough.

A sense of relief washed over her as she snatched the lantern and shot from the bed toward the front room. Griffin casually followed her, playing off any hostility.

“Damn zipper,” Danny cursed.

“Need some help?” Jenny begged, inching her way to the side opposite Griffin, making it so when Danny entered, he’d be in between the two of them, unknowingly protecting her.

Griffin mouthed to her, “Not a word.”

She creaked a timid up and down with her chin, cowering in the corner, keeping watch of him. Why can’t you leave me alone? The hate plastered across his face was unnerving. Everything about him was unnerving.

“Griff, what you doing here?”

Finally!

“Heard our little deer hunter wasn’t feeling well, so I figured I’d come and check on her. Make sure she’s alright.” His eyes never left her. “Isn’t that right?”

Jenny nodded.

“Seems like you’re feeling better.” Danny took hold of her shoulders and squared himself to her, giving her a once-over. “You’re gonna—” He paused as if he knew she was in distress. Jenny had never been good at hiding her emotion, especially from Danny. His gaze narrowed into hers. She felt that her eyes bled with the anger Griffin bore into them just moments ago. Couldn’t Danny see the redness along her jaw from where Griffin had nearly ripped it off? “Are you okay?” He took the lantern from her and hung it on its hook.

“Yes…” Jenny felt it sounded unconvincing enough to warrant a follow-up question, but none arrived.

“Good.” He offered a stern nod. “Now, I thought long and hard on it, and I know you’re gonna be pissed, but you’re gonna have to take a little break from training. Can’t have you running around fainting on us again. House mouse duty it is for a little while.”