Let the Games Begin // Dodge Mason

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ Chapter Twenty-one ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

     "Natalie printed the report." Dayna told us, her and Ms. Mason examining the papers on the coffee table.

    "So, we're trusting Natalie now?" Dodge asked.

     "Let her finish," I muttered to Dodge.

     "Luke was arrested in Twin Falls for carjacking, three days before my accident."

     "But the night before he was arrested, a girl was found dumped in Oak Park." Dayna explained, as Dodge's mom handed him a stack of papers.

     "She looked like she had been in an accident worse than mine."

     "She'd been dead a day before they found her." Ms. Mason chimed in, handing me the picture of the girl- shit.

     "He couldn't have done it. Natalie was telling the truth." Dayna shook her head.

     "How could James have gotten this wrong?" Ms. Mason wondered.

     Dodge and I had been chilling in his room for a bit before a thought from days ago hit me.

     "Dodge," 

     "Yeah?" He asked looking over at me.

     "What are you doing tonight?" I asked her.

     "Nothing, why?"

     "Would you want to come over to my house tonight? My mom wants to hang out with you." 

     "Your mom wants to hang out with me, not you? Ouch." He laughed.

     "You get what I'm trying to say!" 

     "She wants to get to know you." I explained.

     "I'd love to, Lilia." He placed a soft kiss on my lips.

     Me

     Dodge is coming over tonight.

     Mom

     That's amazing! We'll have a bonfire! I'm going to buy everything for s'mores right now.

      I showed Dodge the text, who just laughed and said how sweet it was that my mom wants to get to know him. 

     "What are you going to wear?" I asked Dodge.

      "Is the girl who always tells me that all my outfits look the same asking me what I'm going to wear?" He smiled.

     "Okay, what should I wear?" 

     "Just wear what you're already wearing." He shrugged.

     "But it's kind of chilly out," I sighed.

     "Here," He handed me one of his jackets.

     "Are you sure?" He nodded in response, and I slipped the jacket on.

     "You realize you're never going to see this jacket again, right?"

     "Oh no, if you're planning on stealing it then you lose jacket privileges." He shook his head.

     "Come on, you're really going to make your girlfriend freeze to death?"

     "I love that jacket,"

     "Ouch," I smiled.

     "Mom, we're here!" I called out.

     "I'm outside, honey!" She called back. 

     I grabbed Dodge's hand and dragged him out to the backyard.

    "How was your guy's day?" She asked us, starting the fire.

     "Good! We hung out with Dodge's sister, Dayna." I explained.

     "Sounds nice," She smiled, sitting down in her chair.

     Dodge and I sat down across from her as I stuck my hands out towards the fire for warmth.

     "How's work, Dodge." 

     "Good, you know the usual." He nodded.

     "Anyone want to make s'mores?" My mom pulled out all the ingredients she had bought today.

     "Uh, yes." Dodge said excitingly as my mom handed them over to him.

     I watched as he put two marshmallows on the fire stick and cooked them.

     "You didn't ask me if I wanted one," I laughed.

     "Oh, both of these are for me." He shook his head.

     He finished assembling the food and put them on two separate plates, handing one over to me. 

     "So, how'd you guys meet?" My mom asked.

     "Well, we knew of each other through high school, but we never really talked. A couple days after graduation she came into Dot's, and I struck up the courage to start a conversation with her." Dodge explained.

     "Then we went to the movies that night, and I paid of course." Dodge lied, remembering the joking comment my mom asked me the night she met Dodge. 

     "You're such a gentleman Dodge," My mom smiled at him.

     "You know, you've brought out a new side of Lilia. You're good for her." She nodded; her comment made Dodge smile to himself.

    The night went on and we ate a crap ton of s'mores before Dodge decided he should get going. He tried to shake my mom's hand goodbye- but she just pulled him into a hug.

    I walked him out to the driveway.

     "Dodge," I grabbed his hand.

     "Yeah?" He looked down at me.

     "I-" 

      Do I tell him? What if he doesn't feel the same way.

     "I- I had a good time tonight." 

      I chickened out, just like I always do. 

      He smiled down at me bringing his hand up and cupping my cheek before leaning down and kissing me passionately.

     "I had a great time getting to know your mom. Sleep well, alright?" He kissed my forehead before getting in his car and driving off.

     I walked back in the house, disappointed in myself for not telling him that I love him.

     "He's a sweet boy, Lilia." My mom smiled at me.

     "I know," I nodded.

     "The way you look at him, you love him, don't you?"

      "Of course I do." 

     A/N: I loved writing this chapter omggg, I know I sound like a broken record but I'm so sad this book is coming to an end soon :/ Okay you guys don't wanna hear me ramble but comment and vote! I hope you have a good day (or night)!