Page 80 of Bad Wolf

I honestly don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. I came to make amends and all I can do is grit my teeth.

“Get in that house right now before I carry you there myself.”

Her eyes scan over those present. My family.Herfamily. All here and eager to watch me embarrass myself. I swear Troy and Scott are shoveling popcorn into their smug traps.

“Uggh!” She spins to take Anna and Casey in.

“Thank you. All of you. I’ll never forget the kindness you’ve shown me. I’ll contact you all when I’m settled,” she says, stuffing her towel, shorts, and long-sleeved tee into an oversized mesh bag thing, and fighting with her sandals.

Every time she steps into them, the bit that goes in between her toes sags and she has to try again.

“You’re not leaving,” I tell her.

“The hell I’m not,” she hisses.

“You are so goddamn stubborn. You’ve been trying to get me to talk to you for weeks. Now I’m here trying to do just that.”

“I wanted to talk to you like two civilized human beings might. Alone. Not in the middle of Casey and Anna’s backyard with everyone we know listening in to all the ways I messed up. God, Knox, this is so humiliating. But that’s the story of my life, isn’t it? Humiliation and—”

That tiny thread of patience I have snaps, and I erupt.

“Will you just shut the hell up for two minutes? Jesus. You drive me so fuckin’ nuts I lose all ability to properly function when you’re around me, okay? I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted these past few months. I was stubborn, but fuck I was so hurt. I know you have been too, and honestly, that tore me to shreds. And also,” I blow out a breath and sigh. “I forgive you. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you.”

She immediately loses all her strength and her eyes fill with heavy tears, only making them look even bigger than they are.

Her lip wobbles and it undoes me. “You do? You forgive me?”

“Yeah, I do. I really do. When I put myself in your shoes, I just, I don’t know what I’d have done. Do I wish you’d have sought some help? Gone to my dad or Coach and asked them what they thought. Yeah! But I know you panicked, and I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to pull my head out of my ass.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that,” I echo.

“Thank you,” she whispers and then she tentatively takes a step toward me. She’s only an arm’s length away from me now. So close and just within grasp.

“I still think I should go.”

“No!” I grab her by her biceps. “No Wren. Stay. You gotta stay.”

Her eyes flit to Scott across the patio and then back to me. I can tell she’s trying to work out if she’s overstayed her welcome, no matter what.

But I know my brother, his spare room will be hers for as long as she needs.

“I don’t…I don’t know.” She grasps at her bottom lip with her teeth and her eyes blink as she tries to think.

But I’m right there. In her space. Close enough I can see her pupils widen as I stare soul deep. Challenging her to stay. To fight for what she wanted just a little longer.

“I haven’t bought a bus ticket yet,” she whispers.

“Good. You won’t need one.”

I let go of the grip I have on her and take a step back.

“Friends?” I offer, holding out my hand.

But now I’m standing here proposing friendship and it’s just…not enough. It will never be enough.

“I mean, friends who go out on dates?” Shit, that’s not smooth. Not at all.

---