I snorted. “We can agree on that.”
Across the hall, my neighbor’s door opened. She was an elderly lady and she looked grumpy. “Just invite him in already,” she grumbled. “Loud talking in the hall is ruining my nap.”
“Sorry, ma’am,” I said. “He was leaving.”
My neighbor’s door slammed closed. The man turned to me. “Take care, Harley,” he said, before turning to go again.
“What’s your name?” I blurted out.
“Liam,” he said with a slight smile.
“Let me give you my number. If something happens to my dad before… before I’m ready to talk to him, can you call me?”
He nodded. “Of course.”
I grabbed a small sticky note and scribbled my number on it before handing it to him. I watched him pocket it before closing the door on him and locking the door. I took a deep breath as I looked down at the envelope in my hands. The envelope with my father’s contact information.
After I had escaped from the Demons, I had gone to my childhood home to find it was sold to someone else. I hadn’t tried to find my father after that. I didn’t think he cared. He had never really shown an interest in my life before after all.
But he showed Liam a photo of me. That meant he had to have some sentimentality. Right?
This was all too confusing.
After double-checking the locks on my doors, I went to my bedroom. Under my bed was a teddy bear. I had bought it from a thrift store shortly after I got my first paycheck. It was silly, but something about it comforted me.
I hugged the teddy bear to my chest and curled up on my bed as I tried to process everything that had happened today.
My phone vibrated. I looked at it and found a text from an unknown number: It’s Liam. This is my number in case you need anything. I know I’m probably the last person you would want to help you, but I wanted to give it anyway. Take care.
I should feel nervous about him having my number. But he knew my address. And if he wanted to, he could have forced his way through the door. Maybe it would be okay. At least, that’s what I hoped.