Early Imprint [Book 3] ✔️

17 • Driving Lessons

QUIL'S POV

I got out of work early and headed for home to take a quick shower. Looking around, I found my swim trunks and changed into them and added a t-shirt. We were finally having some nice summer weather, and Claire and I had made plans to go to the beach.

I paused as I thought of Claire. She had become secretive lately. I didn't know what she was up to, but I didn't like being kept out of the loop. She was on her summer vacation now. The first few weeks that she was out of school, she had gone to the shop with me every day. She hadn't even wanted to go home to Makah for the few months she had off, and because of her improved grades and attitude, her parents had agreed to let her stay in La Push.

But over the past couple of weeks Claire had been spending less and less time at the garage. I acknowledged to myself that she was allowed to have a life that didn't revolve around me. I still missed her like crazy when she wasn't around.

I made my way over to Sam's house and entered through the front door after knocking once. The house was unusually quiet. I made my way into the living room and found Emily there reading a magazine.

"Quil, hey." Emily said, looking up.

"Sorry Em, I didn't mean to disturb you."

"No, that's okay. What brings you here?"

"I was supposed to take Claire to the beach." I explained. "Where is everyone?"

"Ryan took Gracie to the movies, and Nate is hanging out with some friends." Emily said getting up from the chair she had been sitting in to go into the kitchen.

"And Claire?" I asked, looking towards the stairs. Maybe she was upstairs sleeping.

"Claire?" Emily's tone was innocent, but her expression was guilt-ridden.

"Emily, what's going on? Where's Claire?" I questioned, getting worried.

Just then, I heard a commotion at the front door.

"Forget it Uncle Sam, I don't want to learn from you anymore."

"What'd I say?" Sam responded indignantly.

"You got mad at me because I sped up to 15 miles per hour! You do realize that when I'm actually taking driver's training, I will have to go faster than that!"

"All I said was that I thought going 15 was a little fast. You haven't been behind the wheel that long." Sam replied in a hurt tone.

"Bah!" Claire responded before coming into the kitchen. Upon seeing me there, she came to a dead stop. Looking shamefaced, she said, "Oh, hey Quil."

"You're learning how to drive a car?" I questioned. Why would she ask Sam to help her instead of me?

"Yes," Claire replied warily.

"Why didn't you ask me to teach you?" I asked petulantly. I knew I sounded like a little kid whose favorite toy just broke, but it bugged me that Claire wouldn't ask me for help.

"Please Quil," Claire said rolling her eyes. "I'm trying to learn how to drive a car. You get upset if I ride my bike without a helmet. I figured Uncle Sam was the lesser of the two evils."

Looking over at her uncle who was now being comforted with kisses by Emily, Claire added, "Maybe I was wrong though."

"You still want to go to the beach?" I asked suddenly.

Claire's eyes lit up. "Yeah, definitely."

"Okay, I'll let you drive me there." I told her, pulling the keys out of my pocket to dangle them in the air.