I let out a deep breath and sighed with relief when William stepped from behind the trees. Walking toward the car, he brushed dirt and dead leaves from his ripped up, bloody shirt. He looked at me and smiled crookedly when he leaned in to grab a fresh shirt from the back. He closed the door and opened the trunk. A few minutes later he climbed into the driver’s seat.
“What happened out there?” I asked.
He didn’t look at me, but he’s features stiffened. “It was a couple of guys from school. They were just trying to scare you.” He glanced in his mirrors as we drove away.
I thought about what he said and wondered why he was lying to me. “Do you expect me to believe that? I was there, William! I saw the shadows and heard the snarls-”
“Leave it alone, Gen!” He snapped, but I could tell he didn’t mean to. It didn’t make the hurt I felt any less, though.
I wrapped my arms around myself and sank deeper into my seat. He reached over and tried to put his hand on mine, but I shrugged it off, repositioning myself so I was looking out my window. He cranked up Breaking Benjamin on the stereo, and drove entirely too fast all the way back to Haven.
When we pulled into my driveway, he turned down the music then looked at me with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry, Gen. Please don’t be mad.” I wasn’t facing him but could see him through my peripheral vision. He lowered his eyes and sighed heavily. “I… care about you.” He spoke softly, gently taking my hand in his. When I didn’t say anything he leaned over to my side of the car. “You’re being all quiet and sad now,” he whispered, causing a burning flush to fly over me.
“Nah, I’m not mad, just tired.” I glanced at my house then back at him. “I better go.” I gave him a peck on the cheek before climbing out of the car. “See you later.” I said flatly, then closed the car door. I didn’t bother looking back, because I could feel his eyes on me as I strolled into the garage.
By the time I got to the kitchen door my phone was ringing with a text message. I dug it out of my jacket pocket. It was William.
Want to do something fun tomorrow?
I wasn’t quite ready to forgive him yet. I’m not sure yet. I might be busy. I lied. I wanted to be close to him all the time, but for now, I needed to play a little hard to get.
Alright. You can let me know later. I really am sorry. : (
His last text message tugged at my heart strings. I would let him wonder for a little while, then I would let him know things were okay between us.
It was only around seven-thirty when I’d gotten home and Aunt Bev was in her office working on her computer when I found her.
“Watcha doin?” I leaned against the open door casing, and smiled. She jumped at first, throwing her hand over her heart. She then quickly used her other hand to slide a book under some papers. It wasn’t just any book, it was the same book I had found inside the piano bench earlier. “Gen! You scared the hell out of me.” She forced a smile. “I didn’t expect you home so early.” She minimized the screen on her computer, then stood and moved toward me, away from her desk, as if to keep my focus away from what she’d been doing.
“Sorry… I didn’t mean to scare you,” I said, my eyes flitted between her and the book.
She crossed the room and sat on the side of her bed to slip on her boots. “Did something happen between you and William?”
“Nah, not really. The date was just over, that’s all.”
“I have to go out for a while. Can you fend for yourself with dinner?” Her eyes seemed frantic and nervous.
“Sure, I guess… why?”
“I’ve got a meeting with the town council tonight.” Even though she smiled her dark eyes betrayed her anxiety.