Page 24 of His White Moonlight
Surprise flashed across his face.
I retreated a step and managed to look contrite as I said, “I acted rashly and hurt you, Bennett.I’m sorry.”Contrite left my demeanor as I poked him in the chest.“Do you see how that's done?It’s called an apology.”
He had me pinned against a wall with my hands over my head a second later.
All the air vanished from my lungs as I stared up at him.
“Am I acting rashly, Wrenly?”His eyes searched mine.
I struggled to make sense of what was happening.Bennett had me pinned against the wall, and he was looking at me like he…
Nope.
No.
Not today, man-devil.
I took a slow, deep breath.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you have two seconds before I scream for Mom and embarrass the whole family.”
He didn’t react like I thought he would.No anger flashed in his eyes.He simply let me go.
“Maybe you’ll be interested in playing later,” he said.
He was a psycho.That was the only explanation.
“Take me home, Bennett.”
* * *
The confusionand tension from the evening followed me in my dreams until an unfamiliar-sounding alarm woke me.
It’s not mine.
My eyes flew open, and I bolted upright, ready to deflect and throw a punch.
Bennett’s stoic expression cracked as he took in my balled fist and raised arm.I saw worry and immediately pointed to the door to prevent him from asking any questions.
“Out.”
He didn’t move.Instead, his gaze searched mine.
“What did you think was happening, Wrenly?”
“Someone with bad intentions was waking me up.And, look, I was right.I’m not going to work today.”
“Grandma is downstairs.She wants to talk to you.”
He left the room without saying anything else, and I flopped back onto the bed for a minute so my pulse could return to normal.
Those days of waking up in fight or flight are over, Wrenly,I told myself.Let it go, ortheywill never let you go.
My thoughts went back to what Bennett had done the night before.After some rest, I could see it differently.
He didn’t kiss you, Wrenly.He was just being an ass and trying to figure out what you drank.It’s not a big deal.None of this is a big deal.Stay focused.Nothing else matters but convincing them you’re independent and can manage your own life.
I got out of bed, quickly showered, and dressed.
