Chapter 10 #2
Of course this is her next question. Of course.
“She’s fine,” I say brightly, “but I’m planning to get my own place. Hopefully before the end of this year.”
“Make sure it’s a safe area,” Dad says.
From there, the conversation moves on to other fun topics—such as my weight and outfit—but there’s a hiccup at the end of the night when my dad offers to drives us back to my apartment, from which Eddie and Chantal can take the subway home.
It’s been a while since he offered to do this. Just my luck.
“That’s really not necessary,” I say.
“I insist.”
“We’ll take an Uber,” Chantal says. “We don’t want to put you out.”
“Ah, don’t waste your money! I can drive.”
We go back and forth a bunch of times. Finally, I give Eddie a little nod. He’ll understand that I’m going to admit defeat because protesting further will seem suspicious. Dealing with our parents can be a delicate balance.
“Fine,” I say. “Since Mom has packed me so much food, it’ll be easier this way.”
Ten minutes later, I’m in the front seat of the old family car, while Eddie and Chantal sit in the back.
Dad doesn’t speak much on the drive, but when we get out of the car, he doesn’t leave.
I guess he wants want to wait until I’m safely inside the building.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the keys with me.
I open the car door again. “I just have to talk to Eddie about something. No need to wait.”
To my relief, my father pulls away.
“I’m not sure why you couldn’t have told your parents the truth,” Chantal says. “Surely that would be easier? You wouldn’t need to share graphic details.”
“And explain that I’m living with Clifton’s brother?” I say. “No way.” Just the idea is enough to make me shudder.
“You could have said you were staying with us.”
Eddie shakes his head. “It wouldn’t have worked. They’d be horrified that she’s sleeping on a couch. They would have insisted on Zoe moving back home.”
“Yeah, and it would have led to a big argument.” I sigh. “I’ll just wait here a few minutes before walking to Bennett’s.” I look wistfully into the lobby of the building where I used to live, wishing I were already home.
“We can walk you,” Eddie offers.
“No, it’s fine.”
Unlike my parents, he doesn’t put up a fight.
“Last Thanksgiving,” I say, the wistfulness not dissipating as quickly as I’d like, “Macy’s parents were in Europe, so she didn’t have any family plans. Since she wanted turkey, we prepared one together, and we made pumpkin pie, too.”
“If I remember correctly,” Eddie says, “you did most of the work.”
“Macy isn’t very good at cooking. A full Thanksgiving meal by herself? She would have burned the place down.”
My brother gives me a look. “I think she took advantage of you sometimes. She had a sort of poor me, I’m so helpless act.”
“She didn’t,” I reply, even though he has a point.
I wasn’t aware that those things were obvious to other people, and although I’m not speaking to Macy anymore, I still feel the need to defend my former best friend and roommate. Or maybe it’s more the need to defend my choice of friend.
Chantal puts a hand on Eddie’s shoulder, and some kind of silent communication passes between them.
“We had fun together,” I say.
“I know,” he says gently, “and it’s natural that you miss her a little. It’s not like the friendship was entirely one-sided, which is why I never said anything, but I do think you’re better off without her in your life.”
We head in the direction of the station. Before Eddie and Chantal descend the stairs, she says, “Be sure to text when you get in.”
“I will,” I tell her.
When I arrive back at Bennett’s, I immediately send the promised text so I don’t forget.
Then I slip off my shoes and put on my slippers.
I hear noise in the living room at the back of the house.
Bennett is in a recliner, watching something on the TV—it’s the first time I’ve seen him do that—but he pauses it when he sees me and turns on the light next to him.
“How’s your family?” he asks.
A chuckle escapes my lips. “They’re fine. The usual.”
He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t inquire further. He merely strokes Mittens, who’s sitting on his lap. This time, she’s awake. Whenever I see her with Bennett, I feel a little gooey inside. Stern man, soft cat—what is it about that combination?
“I didn’t tell them the whole truth,” I say.
“Ah. They don’t know you’re living with me?”
I shake my head. “My dad dropped us off at my old apartment, and then I walked here.”
“I could have picked you up.”
“It’s not much farther than walking from the subway station.”
I study Bennett. There’s something in his expression that’s a little different from usual, something I can’t quite put my finger on. The house is dark, aside from the light in the front hall and the lamp beside him.
“If you ever need a ride,” he says, “just let me know.”
“It’s really not necessary.” I’ve said that multiple times tonight. “You’re giving me a place to live. You don’t need to do more.”
He says nothing, but I don’t move away. I can’t help staring at him.
When Mitten jumps off his lap, I have the sudden urge to take her place and snuggle against him. I imagine him brushing his finger over my arm, like he did yesterday when we were out. What other surprises does Bennett have up his sleeve?
I shouldn’t be so curious.
“What are you watching?” I ask.
“An obscure Korean film about a serial killer.”
“Yeah? I figured you’d be more the upbeat musical sort.”
His laugh is quiet. Almost seductive. “Is that so?”
I don’t reply, and my feet are rooted to the spot. He’s unbearably handsome, the shadows on his face more alluring than they have any right to be. My skin prickles with awareness.
This man is giving me dangerous thoughts.
When I can finally move again, I head upstairs, and to my surprise, Mittens follows me. She disappears into the room next to Bennett’s. The door to that room is always open a crack, never wider, but it’s not like he forbade me from going in, right?
I push the door open farther, turn on the light, and gasp.
There are two cat beds, a large cat tree, some kind of scratching post…and a whole bunch of cardboard boxes. Mittens makes her way to one of those now.
Huh. Bennett has an entire room for his cat. It’s incredibly sweet, and there’s a fluttery sensation in my chest.
Once again, I find myself having dangerous thoughts.