X-Treme Measure by S. N. Garza, Stephanie Nicole Garza Page A

were kind of beady, even with the cerulean blue irises. My blonde hair was awfully long, but I didn’t want to cut it. I liked it and only trimmed it to get rid of dead roots. Sometimes it was hard to fix and deal with but it didn’t over power my face like some girls with long hair did. My hair wasn’t super thick.
    Shaking my head, I turned the camera off and unlocked my phone to open my messaging app. My mother was the only one with a phone and I tapped on the message and let her know I was okay.
    With my birthday coming up I figured I should at least let them know I’m okay. It’s not like they ever worried about me.
    I sent them money once a month. When I was in school I called them once a week to make sure they were doing alright. Or if they needed anything. Their answer always was the same. Send more money. I did when I could. Why? I don’t know. It’s not like either one of them had a job. They lived off my dad’s disability check and then the welfare check they got.
    I texted her about the school situation and that I had to find a place in the city. I had no choice if I wanted to stay in the university. I had to continue working at the Chili’s here to make the type of money to spend of tuition. I was at to make the most money I could to take care of myself. I had plenty of regulars that always tipped me well. Since I was always in the lounge it was fast paced and I turned tables over quickly to make more money.
    I sent it off, hoping she didn’t respond right away. It was late in the evening and they were probably already asleep, but I knew once she read that, she might have a real conniption fit. Which I was not ready to handle. Her bitching and arguing could last for hours. Luckily, she didn’t know where I lived. That and they didn’t leave the house unless it was important.
    I set my phone down, knowing I could sleep in tomorrow. As soon as I laid my head down, and shut my eyes, my brain fired up and I was wide awake.
    I laid there, trying to clear my mind, but as soon as I closed my eyes, he popped up. Daniel. If I was honest with myself, I liked him. I respected him. He was a good dad to Reighlyn. His mother was a total pushover when it came to him, if what I’ve seen at the restaurant had anything to say about that. He was so confident and strong. I was mostly asleep when he carried me to his bed that first night I fell asleep on his couch. I felt his arms around me; strong, firm and gentle. I felt so incredibly safe. Never had that happen before. Naturally, I couldn’t help myself snuggling deeper into his embrace. He was like a warm blanket.
    And what the hell did Ashley mean? He watched me? When did he get the time? I barely saw him and I worked a lot of doubles. When I didn’t, I normally stayed at the apartment. I took care of any grocery shopping when I got off work.
    There was no way Daniel saw me as anything more than just his pesky neighbor. I may have the hots for him, but I was positive that it was one sided. That stint at the restaurant was just his way of being over protective. Like some big brother. Or simply because I was female and he thought I was weak and helpless. Which only irritated me to no end.
    Enough of this. I wasn’t going to think about it or him anymore, I got up, went to the bathroom in search for my ZzzQuil. I only took it when I couldn’t sleep, like exams week or else I’d never get rest. Thinking about Daniel and his actions at the restaurant wore me down. How good he looked in his jeans that cupped his ass perfectly, and the pastel green polo shirt he had on, painted on was more like it with the sleeves just a little tight on his biceps. It complimented his jet black hair so well. And his eyes. I loved his eyes. I only got a glimpse of them a few times and it was like getting lost. A dark pool of heat centered low in my belly. His deep, brown eyes were hypnotic and intense. Sexy. Burning a fire deep within.
    Now I sound like a love sick puppy.
    Whatever. I