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“Stella.” His voice is hard, anger lacing the edges, although it doesn’t seem to be aimed at me.
“What else are we going to do here? Sit in uncomfortable silence?” He shrugs his shoulders, because I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what he wants. “Come on, you’re clearly not okay and you need to talk to someone.” If looks could kill, I would be six feet under already with the way his scowl is fixed on me. “You might even feel better if you do.”
He remains silent, jaw tight, sneer at the ready.
I can recognize a lost cause when I see one. His jaw ticks as he pointedly looks away from me. I know how hard it is to keep these things inside. It freaking sucks.
You also know that when someone is determined to be miserable, there’s nothing you can do,I remind myself, mythoughts trailing over to my own parents.I wish I could help him get some lightness, get his head out of this funk.
I’m about to change topics or suggest a movie when his eyes meet mine. Though determined, there’s a slight sheen crossing them, and I know I’ve won.
Chapter 8
James
This woman is going to be the death of me.
The phone call from my mom was nothing I hadn’t heard before. That I wasn’t around enough. That I should try more. That I should be preparing myself. She didn’t believe me when I said I couldn’t make it out to see her and my dad this weekend. All she’d have to do is turn on a weather channel, but obviously that won’t do. I’ve clearly bribed mother nature to trap me here.
The calls, which used to be less tense, less frequent, have been getting more persistent these days. It’s like the walls are closing in on me and the writing on them is that I can’t escape what’s coming for much longer.
I have no desire to talk about it.
But then there’s Stella. Her perseverance would be admirable if it wasn’t making her a pain in my ass right now.
“I’m fine, sunshine.” I just want her to leave me alone with my misery.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“‘Cause you don’t seem it…”
“Stella.”
“You’ve got this one vein right here,” she says as she reaches up and bops me on the forehead pensively with a finger.
“Can you not poke me?”
“I thought you only wanted me to not do that in the sexy way.”
“Well, let’s just say don’t poke me in any way and save ourselves some time.”
“Ooooh I think I justpokedthe bear.”
“Are you calling me a bear?”
“If the shoe fits.” Well, at least she’s honest.
What is it with people comparing me to wildlife?
“Come oooooon James. Tell me, what’s the worst that could happen?”
“You could hear me.” She just stares at me, mouth closed, and brows raised, waiting expectantly.
Ugh. I’m not going to win this. And I am stuck with her for the foreseeable future.
“I’m supposed to start working for my dad.” I aim for as little emotion as possible, staring at the blank wall across from me. I really need to hang something up there for moments like this.
