Protecting Her - Alexis Noelle Page 0,49

was my stalker. I wish they would ask about my career.

I was just cast in a role for a new movie and I’m so excited. The cast is amazing and so is the story; it’s a project my mother would have never wanted me to do, I asked before everything happened. One good thing that has happened now that she isn’t here is that I make more of my own career decisions. I finally have a little bit of control back, at least professionally.

“So, is this the way shit is going to be? We never talk and when we do, we fight? You ignore me and act like a damn child for half the day, every day?” I hear him but I make no move to answer. “You were scared that no one would be there for you, but you are pushing everyone the fuck away.” He grits the words out, each one like a knife. Joe stops the car in front of the door and I get out, not waiting for Hunter like I used to. I really don’t need to anymore, now that the threat is gone; that and I can’t look him in the eye right now. I know he’s right.

I do the talk show appearance and since it’s a panel full of women, all they want to talk about is my relationship. I give the cookie cutter answers and pretend like everything is as good as it used to be. It isn’t, and it’s because of me. I hate having to be fake and put on this face like everything is just great.

Hunter makes no more attempts to speak to me on the car ride back to the hotel. As we are walking through the lobby, I hear someone call my name. “Samantha!” Hunter’s body stiffens as the man approaches me. He stands in front of me, acting as a barrier.

“You need to back up.”

I assess the man. He is middle aged with light brown hair and a medium build, definitely not my usual fan.

“I don’t mean to cause any trouble. Samantha, could I speak with you?” He looks past Hunter at me and there is something familiar in his eyes.

“Sir, you will have to call her management for an interview.” Hunter has gotten good at the cookie cutter answers too.

“No, I don’t want an interview. I just need to talk to her.”

Hunter turns to me. “Go up to the room, I’ll meet you there.”

I look back and forth between him and the man before moving toward the elevators.

“Samantha, wait! I’m your father.”

I freeze at those words. As I slowly turn, I look at the man in front of me. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” I take a few steps back to where they are.

“It’s me. Don’t you recognize me?” Hunter is looking back and forth between us before his eyes settle on me, waiting for some sort of reaction or instruction.

“I…I don’t…” I look at him and the few memories I have hit me. It’s him. He’s here. But why? Why now?

“Do you have some sort of ID?” I can tell Hunter is skeptical already and I fidget as my dad fishes for his wallet. Hunter inspects the license he flashes, before nodding his head. “I think we should do this somewhere else. Why don’t we meet you for dinner somewhere and you guys can talk? That way Sam can gather her thoughts and we aren’t in the middle of the lobby.”

“Yeah, that would be great.” He takes a card out and hands it to Hunter. “Here is my card, just text me with the info.” Hunter nods at him, before walking to me and steering me toward the elevator. I’m in shock as we take the ride up. My dad.

Once we get in the room, Hunter turns to me. “Talk to me. What are you thinking?”

I just shake my head. I have no idea what I’m thinking. I’m thinking that my dad is here to see me. A mix of happiness and apprehension run through me. I have wanted my dad back since the day he left.

“Sam? Is this something you want to do?”

I look over at him. “Yes. I want to see him.” I want him in my life again. I know that he can’t replace my mother or the hell she put me through, but maybe he can fill the void she left, the need for family that I have been missing. If I get that, then maybe things between Hunter