Page 20 of Rebellious

Graduation flew by in a blur of photo ops. All I wanted to do was yank Bennett into a corner and demand to know what he planned to do about transferring. All he’s ever wanted is to go pro and get into the NFL. If he transfers now, he’ll be required to wait a year in order to play college ball again.

Therefore, any transfer will take him longer to graduate and to enter the draft. As we all know, Bennett is sensible. Considering a transfer is very unlike him. Bennett doesn’t make rash decisions. That’s my job.

“Alright, our dinner reservation is in fifteen minutes. Let’s load up.” My mom, God bless her, breaks up the bazillion hugs.

I almost high-five her, but she, too, pulls me in for a hug. “You’re riding with me, Angel,” she announces, knowing I would make a beeline to Bennett’s SUV as soon as the hugs stopped. “I haven’t seen you all day.”

Technically, I saw her this morning, but my dad whisked her away before we had any time to chat. “Sure.” I flash her a smile. I have missed her, but right now, I need to corner Bennett and coerce answers from him.

I turn, searching for Bennett in the crowd. Our uncle Hayes has him boxed-in, each of his little girls on an arm. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but if I had to guess, I would say it’s football related since every few breaths, Hayes acts like he’s about to throw a ball. Instead of a ball, though, he jostles Honor and Maya around as if they’re footballs.

Bennett catches me watching and holds my gaze. It’s in times like these I wish we had a secret language we could use to communicate. I could use sign language—Bennett and I are both fluent—but so is the rest of the family. Before Vee’s father and brother had surgery, they were hearing impaired. Bennett and I grew up signing when we spoke. We haven’t practiced in years, but that doesn’t mean if I signed right now, my family wouldn’t pick up every word.

I sigh. Now is not the time. I’ll just have to pin him down later. Wiggling my fingers, I wave to Bennett and follow Mom to her car. “Is Dad not coming?” I ask.

Her brows raise as she eyes me from over the hood. “I thought you and I needed some alone time.”

Oh no. I didn’t learn how to corner Bennett on my own. I learned it from the best, this woman right here.

“What do you know?” I sigh.

She winks, opening the car door. “More than you think.”

Fabulous. Just what I needed today.

Getting in, I buckle up, watching as Bennett pulls Drew out from the driver’s seat of his SUV, only for Cade to pull Bennett out, and make them both get in the back seat. Bennett may be a bossy badass around me, but he’s a respectable man around his father. And that behavior does all kinds of things to my heart.

“Your dad and I are excited to have you home for a while.”

I pull my gaze away from Bennett’s SUV and smile at my mom. Her tequila-gold hair, the same shade as mine, is pulled up into a twist. She’s dressed up tonight in a black pantsuit, all fancy business and not like the mom I know whose wardrobe consists of leggings and t-shirts.

“Yeah,” I confirm, “it’ll be good to be home for a while.”

Although I’d rather spend the summer at our vacation home on the lake.

“Your brother said he and Drew are only staying through the weekend.” She makes a face. “Just long enough to help with the carnival.”

My brother has the right idea. “I thought Bennett and I could stay at the lake house for a few weeks before I have to leave too.”

“And where are you going exactly? I’ve heard rumors.”

She thinks she’s being cute with the whole rumor thing, but I know her, and I know she’s been snooping. “You opened my mail?”

She taps the steering wheel. “I didn’t open it, no. I just received a call from a concerned party.”

Does anyone in this family keep a freaking secret?

I sigh. “Uncle Thad called you, didn’t he?”

Unlike the rest of my uncles, Thad is my biological uncle. He and my dad are twins. Their relationship is weird—not like Bennett and Drew’s.

“He did.” My mom laughs. “He’s concerned about his safety.”

“I don’t know why everyone is scared of Dad.”

She shakes her head. “Neither do I. He’s just a hateful little teddy bear.”

I laugh. “Did Thad tell you I was considering working with him?”

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