Saint Sloan (Saint Sloan #1)(52)

“In my room. I’ll meet you in my room,” she corrected then felt her face flush when he looked confused. “Not like… I don’t think my wobbly legs can go down the steps. I’ll see you when I have some clothes on.”

Aaron smiled for a second and left her alone to change. When the door shut, she fell to the floor.

A little while later, she emerged from the bathroom to find her mother waiting for her in the hallway. She wasn’t freaking out as badly as she’d expected her to be.

“Aaron told me you think the worst is over.”

He did what?

Aaron stood behind her mother and gave Sloan a go with it look.

Her mom’s brows creased. “The worst is over, right? No roses all day. That’s wonderful. Right?” Her mom looked from Sloan to Aaron and back to Sloan. “Because I was getting ready to call the police. They are professionals and know how to deal with this stuff more than we do, but Aaron came down and said that might be a bad idea. Said it looked like the stalker had given up. Is that right?”

Sloan’s throat got dry. She understood why Aaron told her that, but she hated to lie to her mother. Okay, she had to think about it. What would her mom do if she knew the truth? What if she knew about the threatening note in the bathroom while her daughter had showered?

She’d call the police.

Sloan knew her mother, and apparently Aaron did too. If she knew, even with the threat, she would be calling the police. Mr. ICU would know as well and would hurt her. Sloan’s mother might not be worried about it, but Sloan couldn’t take that chance.

She had to protect her mother. No matter what. Aaron agreed with her. No police. They had to do this on their own.

“Yeah.” She scratched her head and smiled. “Yeah. Aaron’s right. The countdown must be over. He or she must be tired of taunting me. Must have been a stupid game.”

“A sick game if you ask me.” Her mom shivered. “You’d tell me, right? If you got another note.”

Sloan’s breath caught in her throat, but she tried very hard to cover it up. She didn’t want to lie to her mother, but didn’t see any other way out. She had to protect her. Sloan looked her mom, dead in the eye. “Yes, ma’am. I’d tell you if I did.”

“Good.” Her mom hugged her tightly. It made Sloan feel awful. She wanted to protect her so badly, but she hated lying. Hated it.

Over her mom’s shoulder, she saw Aaron. He grinned sadly and nodded, clearly happy she’d figured out the lie he’d wanted her to tell. They were a good pair. A good lying pair.

“I need to use the restroom. Excuse me.” Aaron scooted by Sloan and her mother. He closed the bathroom door behind him.

“I’m worried about you,” her mom said when they were alone in the hallway. “I want to protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting.” Sloan smiled best she could. “It’s over. It’s all over.”

“Just because you didn’t get a note today?” Her mom didn’t sound convinced, and that was an issue since Sloan needed her to be convinced so she wouldn’t involve the police.

“Yeah. It was a countdown, Mom. A countdown to prom. No roses. No endgame. I think whoever it was just wanted me to be spooked. I guess it worked.”

“Spooked me too.” Her mom squeezed Sloan’s shoulders. “It’ll be okay, Sloan. You’ll see. It’ll all blow over. If it doesn’t, tell me. Okay? Promise me you’ll tell me if you get any more roses.”

As hard as it was, as much as it hurt, Sloan agreed.

“You tell Aaron I have the couch made up for him downstairs if he still wants it. He was worried about you. Wanted to spend the night to make sure you were okay. Guess he won’t need to now.” Her mom’s eyes twinkled, and Sloan saw the subtle change from Mr. ICU to Mr. Hunter and Sloan’s feelings for him. Were they that obvious?

“I’ll tell him. Thanks.”

When her mom was almost to the stairs, Sloan ran to her and pulled her into a bear hug. Before letting her go, she kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mama.”

“I love you too, baby,” her mom answered with a concerned look. Oh great. Sloan feared she’d let her mom know about how worried she was. After a second’s hesitation, her mom smiled. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Sloan said as her mom descended the stairs to the living room.

Hearing footsteps on the wood floor downstairs, Sloan ran back to the bathroom door and knocked. “She’s gone,” she whispered.

“Good to know.” Aaron opened the door with the two roses in his hand. “Didn’t want her seeing these. Would make my whole lie into a… well, lie.”

“Can’t have that.” Sloan sighed. She turned and went toward her room with Aaron a few paces behind her.

She went to her bed and sat down. “My mom said you could still sleep on the couch if you wanted.” She heard the click of the door behind her, and she looked up. “She said you were worried.”

“I was.” Aaron looked nervous as he walked toward her bed. She’d never seen Aaron nervous before. It was sort of fun. Mr. Calm Cool and Collected now was Mr. Nerves. He sat down at the foot of the bed, way away from Sloan. She appreciated the space. It had been a horrible night. Some stranger — or actually, someone she knew — had been in her house, in her bathroom while she was showering and had left roses, and she’d had to lie to her mother to protect her. All she wanted was her bed and a good night’s sleep.