Chapter 88: Disaster

I made it a block and just outside the crush of onlookers when my legs gave out. Mom took Petunia, Dad supporting me but as soon as I was able to kick off the idiotic shoes on my sore and unhappy feet I felt a ton better.

"I'm okay, I promise," I said, now annoyed and grasping for that emotion as a source of strength. I shrugged Dad's arm off and crossed my own over my chest, hugging myself while I stomped toward Petunia's, the dirty pavement under my bare feet icy cold and disgusting but adding an extra layer to my anger. Perfect. Being mad would get me home without another dumb show of weakness and vulnerability.

Oh. My. God. Did I really let Crew heft me into his arms like some kind of damsel in distress needing an action hero? In front of the entire damned town? Including, I now recalled, the white- furred scowling Bakery Queen who'd glared like she planned my downfall?