shift and just got off two hours ago.” She had a deep concern in her expression. “Go back to bed, please.”
Macy appeared grateful. Her face resembling that of Eric’s in a sad smile. “Thank you.” She chugged down her orange juice and trailed herself back to her room. But before she turned the corner of her kitchen, she held her head out and said, “And nice to see you again, Dora.”
As soon as she disappeared, Shannon said aloud, “She likes you. I can tell.”
“That’s great.” I liked her too, and I also liked her son a lot. But I couldn’t comply with the situation I was under. It’s funny how when I was kissing Eric just moments ago, nothing else seemed to matter. But being away from him—I remembered my current state of being kidnapped. I shouldn’t keep playing at these charades. I had to go back to my life again.
Or maybe I just can’t admit that I loved him too. As crazy as it sounds…I was in love with Eric Grant. There’s no escaping that fact now.
“Eric?” Shannon said. Her voice filled with question. I focused my gaze on her for a second, realizing that Eric was hugging her from behind.
“No,” he said laughing. “It’s Aaron. I have to say, I appreciate you.” And now Shannon giggled along with him while he dropped his arms down. “Thank you for letting my mom back in bed.”
“All right,” she said. “What about the thanks I get for stopping you guys upstairs?”
He shifted his eyes to mine. “I’m still not sorry.”
My face flushed.
Shannon looked between the both of us, and shook her head in disgust. “Can you stop? I’m starting to think pushing you guys together was a bad idea—”
“THEY’RE TOGETHER?” Aaron’s voice came out of nowhere, making us all jump and shush him.
“Yeah.” She nodded.
The doorbell rang. Shannon jumped to answer it and we followed her to the door.
Two of them, I already knew: Travis and Carter. But the other one I’ve never seen before.
This short girl had light brown hair in a loose ponytail—some pieces of hair still sticking out. The pink polo shirt covered her busty figure, while her flowery-patterned skirt and black flats completed the ensemble. A brown purse clutched on her right shoulder, her left hand holding Carter’s hand firmly. This must have been Gloria.
“Yah, Gloria! You’re here!” Shannon shouted with excitement, jumping over to Gloria for an embracive hug. She dropped Carter’s hand to hug her tightly back. Shannon led everyone into the living room as we all sat down.
I ended up on the couch sitting right smack in the middle of Eric and Gloria while she sat next to Carter. Aaron hogged the armchair; Travis and Shannon sat in the loveseat.
Gloria turned to me, extending her hand. “Hi. I’m Gloria.” We shook.
“Dottie.” I said, immediately wishing I took it back because her eyes got wide and her jaw dropped. Okay, she couldn’t know. She just got back from New York.
“You’re—”
“Dorothy,” Eric growled.
“Crap.” Cater slapped himself on his forehead.
Aaron laughed. Shannon gave a sharp exhale.
“the missing girl.” She finished. “What are you doing here? Did they find you?” She had all these questions stuck in her mind, I could easily tell.
But I was afraid to answer. “I uh—”
She quickly ignored me, spinning to Cater. “Babe, what’s going on? What’s a missing person doing in Eric’s house?”
“Why don’t you ask him yourself, honey.” Carter said. She looked over my head to Eric now. “Well?”