Loose Ends - Book One

Ana - Charlie's Bully

I'm about five minutes from the storage unit when my mother rings me a third time. I'd told her I was going for a long walk, which was an obvious lie, now. I've been gone over an hour. If traffic wasn't so damn loud, I'd call her back right now. Just let me drop off the car, I silently beg. Levi did such a good job bringing it back to life and I'm so close to getting away with it.

            I make a few turns, wait an eternity at a red light, and finally make it to my destination. I put the Honda in park while it's still running and hop out with the gate key in my hand. I hate to put my plans on hold, but I'm still shaken up from the accident. I'm not even sure how I've been driving this thing without going into a panic attack.

            Levi's been with me, a tiny, annoying voice sings in my head. Aside from driving to the storage unit, Levi's been with me every time I've been behind the wheel since the accident. He's also been refusing to let me sit in the passenger seat (because, believe me, I tried). I knew he was helping me, but I guess I didn't realize how much. Now that I'm starting to, it also leaves me wondering why. Could it really just be that he wants to help that much?

            I fight and lose to the smile that transforms my face, imagining if maybe it could be something more. Am I developing a crush, right now? I don't think I've ever really been into someone before. Half of the guys in Kingston that know of me are terrified of me because of my reputation. I felt pretty outcasted and lonely at first, but then I got used to it.  Dare I say, I like it that way, now.

            I mindlessly unlock the gate and send it flying up. I hadn't even noticed that the light behind it was already on, but the curvy figure in front of me catches my attention. Once the gate is all the way up, the familiar annoyed face plastered on her face is revealed. My heart drops into my stomach.

            My mother crosses her arms and looks into my soul. "Well?"

            I don't know what to say. I just look at the car, then back at her.

            "What the hell were you thinking, Anabel?"

            I'm too tired to fight it, this time. I shrug in defeat as I feel tears begin to sting my eyes. "That I wasn't ready for Grandpa to die."

            Her face immediately softens with concern. "Grandpa?"

            I choke on my next two words. "The knight."

            My vision starts to blur, but I still see the look of realization on her face. "He gave it to you."

            I nod and a sob erupts from my throat. Then another. I let the keys slip out of my hand and hit the ground and cover my face. My mom's heels urgently click toward me until I feel her arms wrap around me. I have not been this physically close to my mother in over two years. I've been so angry at her that I didn't realize how deprived of her touch I've been. She used to hold me all the time when I was younger. That changed in high school.

            "Did you find it?" she speaks gently in my ear while she continues to hold me.

            "I turned around," I fib through my sniffles. No way in hell am I telling her about the accident. Thank you, Levi.

            She sighs and rubs wide circles on my back. "I'm going to tell you something that was planned for later."

            I gently pull from her embrace and give her a puzzled look. "Huh?"

            "You have to promise to be responsible."

            I blink in confusion but cooperate. "Okay?"