Page 36 of His White Moonlight
“Mom wants you to call her when you’re up for it.Okay?”
“Got it.”I knew from all the previous attempts to communicate with me that if I didn’t answer, he would just come in anyway.Answering at least meant he stayed in the hallway.
“I’m going out for a run,” he said.
“Okay.”
I rolled onto my back to stare up at the ceiling and willed myself to shake off my current mood.If I wanted freedom, I couldn’t have a meltdown whenever things didn’t go my way.Was it upsetting that I’d gotten that nervous while driving into the city with Bennett and that he’dsmelledit?Yes.Was it the end of the world?No.If Bennett had been willing to let me drive once, he’d probably let me drive again.I just needed more time behind the wheel and to have better control of my emotions.
Rather than shut him out, I needed to pull him in…for more than just driving, too.
I needed to win him over so he’d be on team “Let Wrenly go to human college” when I brought it up to Mom and Dad again.Instead, I was being a pain in his butt because Mom was worried and making him babysit.
“Why is everything so hard?”I mumbled, getting up.
After making faces at myself in the mirror, I left my room.
The house was quiet, which was fine.I glanced at the clock in the kitchen and started putting together a sandwich, hoping that Bennett would appreciate the effort enough to listen to my apology.
His run wasn’t very long because he strode in ten minutes later.His expression didn’t bode well for my apology.It didn’t stop me from lifting the plate and giving him my best smile, though.
He stopped walking, and the irritation in his expression melted away, replaced by his stoic mask.
“I made you a sandwich,” I said, trying to sound upbeat.“I’m sorry about before.Since getting my license, I haven’t had much opportunity to drive.I thought I would be fine in traffic, and when I wasn’t, my frustration got the better of me.If you’re willing to let me try again—maybe not into the city yet—I promise not to get moody with you.”
“You shut yourself in your room because you were frustrated?”he repeated.
“Yeah.”I watched him inhale deeply.“You think I’m lying.Why?”
He shook his head slightly and took the plate I was still holding out to him.
“Thank you for the sandwich.”
“You're welcome.”I moved around the island to get him a drink.“What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
He considered the glass I set on the counter and slowly sat with his food.
“I don’t have any plans.”
“Is that normal for you on a Saturday?”
“No.Usually, I work.”
“Did you take today off to relax, or did Mom and Dad ask you to babysit me?”
He took a bite of his sandwich, which was answer enough.
“Okay…so do you want us to work from home, or should we have some fun together?”
He paused mid-chew to look at me.When I wriggled my eyebrows with a mischievous grin, he swallowed hard and choked.I hurried to pat his back.
“Don’t panic.I promise the fun I have in mind isn’t anything crazy, and Mom and Dad won’t get mad about what we do together…if you say it’s your idea.”
A slow flush consumed his face, and he took several gulps of water.
“I need you to tell me what you want to do,” he said, his voice rough.
That bite really had to have gone down the wrong tube.I patted his back again in sympathy, even as I smiled.
