Will
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ithink I kidnapped my friend’s date.
I’m not sure what it was about the redhead I’d borderline forced into my truck that turned me into such a maniac, but it was clear that since she’d gotten to town, I’d transformed from normal guy to raging psycho in the course of two months.
She was sitting silently in the seat beside me, so I was pretty sure she was pissed about how I’d acted.
I would be too in her position. But I couldn’t help it. Really, I couldn’t. I tried my hardest all night to let them do their thing, but as soon as they went off in the dark on their own and the sound of her laughter floated through the air, my body acted of its own accord.
I was on my feet and headed toward them before Ava’s words of warning could even process in my mind.
And you know what? I didn’t regret it.
Now, with Elsie’s head against the window, I took the opportunity to peek over at her.
She might’ve been laughing in the dark with Theo, but it was still my jacket she was wearing.
I hadn’t ever known myself to be possessive and territorial like that, but there it was, swelling inside of me when I saw my clothes on her.
The jacket hung humorously baggy around her frame, but I couldn’t help but think it was my favorite thing she’s ever worn.
We pulled up in front of her house, both sitting in the darkness of the truck for minutes without moving.
I’d been preparing myself to say something, a thousand different options playing out in my head as I mulled over how to possibly explain myself. But as always, she beat me to it.
“Will?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah?”
“Why do things feel different between us?”
Of course, she’d jump right into it.
She was bold like that. Right from the moment I met her.
It was one of my favorite things about her. But damn, it was putting me on the spot.
“I guess,” I said, heaving a sigh, “things have been weird since the other night.”
She stilled, chewing her lip.
“You mean, that night you decided to clean my gutters in the dark?”
“Yeah,” I laughed, “but that’s not the part of the night I was referring to.”
She looked off toward her house and said, “You mean what happened on the steps.”
Or almost happened.
What should’ve happened if I hadn’t been a moron.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “That.”
“Are you mad about it?”
“What?” I asked, surprised. Why the hell would I be mad? “No. Of course not. But I think we should talk about it.”
“Okay.” She nodded in agreement. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” I echoed. “Sorry for what?”
“That I—” Then she shook her head, changing course. “No, actually. I want you to go first.”
“Me?” I asked, not even knowing where to start.
I figured the truth wouldn’t land quite well.
I saw you that first day and subconsciously laid some type of invisible claim on you that’s only gotten stronger each day.
“Is there something specific you want to know?”
“Yes, actually. I want you to tell me why you wouldn’t let Theo walk me home. Why you insisted on taking me yourself.”
I paused, working my jaw as I considered my answer.
“I just figured I’d save him the walk,” I lied. “I was leaving anyway.”
“You figured you’d save him the walk?” She frowned. “You do realize that on dates, people actually want to spend time together.”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t go on dates.”
At that, she looked furious.
“You don’t date?”
“Not in years,” I admitted, waiting to see if that horrified her. If she’d still be willing to take a chance on me, anyway, even though I had absolutely no clue what I was doing.
“Then why the hell are you trying to sabotage mine?” Her hands flung in the air in manic energy. “Just because you aren’t interested in it, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be!”
I flinched from her anger, feeling like a complete asshole.
I hadn’t thought it could be true, but maybe she really did like Theo and I’d just blown up what could’ve been their perfect, romantic night together.
The idea of it made my stomach churn.
When I didn’t respond, she got out of the truck and slammed the door behind her.
“Elsie, wait,” I said, slamming my door behind me as I chased her. I was frustrated with myself. With fucking Theo. At the fact that I had no idea how to navigate something as stupidly mundane as a crush.
Elsie, being herself, didn’t wait.
The door to her house slammed in my face right as I got to it, but at least she had the decency not to lock it.
I followed her into the kitchen, where she was furiously hanging up my jacket on a hook, as if it belonged there.
“Why are you pissed at me?”
I knew she had several reasons to be. I was just curious as to the exact one.
“Because I’m confused and I’m lashing out!” she cried out, looking so small for someone so angry, and all I wanted to do was go and pull her into my arms until whatever nerves were wracking her subsided.
Jesus Christ, the girl was turning me into a hugger. Fortunately, I had just enough self-restraint left to keep myself firmly on the opposite side of the kitchen, because once I closed the distance between us, I wasn’t sure I’d have the sense to keep it.
She spun in circles, muttering to herself about grumpy men who didn’t date and saboteurs. I arched a brow, watching her, hating that I made her unravel like this.
“Elsie, what can I do to fix this?”
“You really want to know?” She ceased her pacing to stare at me with those angry kitten eyes I hadn’t seen quite so fiercely since that first day.
“Yes, I want to know.”
“Then answer me honestly and clearly.”
I held my breath, waiting.
“Why don’t you want me to date Theo?”
Shit. I guess it was time to come clean.