Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) (6 page)

"Well, okay then, but I'm serious about helping out." She waves her hand at me.

"Okay, we'll figure it out later."

The conversation seems to have lightened her mood. I didn't want to spook her by asking to move in, but that's what I want. My grandmother's house is in a trust account in both my uncle’s and my name. We both have to agree before any decisions are made. It's not something I have the energy to think about now, and with him still traveling, I can’t do much anyway.

As soon as we walk in the door, Ari rushes off to start a load of laundry. I change and sit in front of the TV while she finishes preparing for the week. I wake what seems like minutes later to the feel of her soft lips on my neck.

"You fell asleep on me," she whispers.

"Hmm . . . what time is it?"

"A little after ten. Time for that rain check." A grin spreads across my face as she continues to trail kisses up my neck. She brings my earlobe between her teeth, and I'm done for.

Monday always comes around so damn quick. I smack my hand blindly across my nightstand as the incessant foghorn alarm is screaming for me to get up.

"Whyyyyyy?" I whine out into the dark room.

"You need to get up," Ben answers. His voice is still gravelly with sleep. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to his chest. I snuggle into it and sigh.

"You're not helping. I want to stay home."

"I'm sorry. I'll make dinner while you're gone." That gets my attention. I lift my head off his chest to look at him.

"You cook?" I ask
,
confused.

He chuckles. "Yes, I cook. Why do you sound so surprised?" Amusement laces his tone.

"Like real food?" He leans up on his elbows causing me to sit back on my haunches.

"Yes, real food. What, did you think I lived off ramen and cereal? I used to cook at the frat house," he says getting off the bed. I follow him into the hall.

"Really?"

"You're starting to hurt my feelings," he says pressing a hand to his chest. "My nana taught me a few things. I'm no chef, but I can hold my own in the kitchen."

I step toward him and wrap my arms around his waist.

"Did I mention that you could stay as long as you want?" I say sweetly making him chuckle.

"Oh, is that right?" he says kissing my neck.

"Unless dinner sucks. Then I may have to change the locks." I pull out of his embrace, and he swats my ass playfully as I walk into the bathroom.

"We'll see, funny girl."

The whole morning seemed to move in slow motion. I had a serious case of the Mondays and was dragging ass. Ben filled my travel mug with coffee just the way I like and toasted me a bagel. I'm about three miles away from my exit when my cell rings. The radio volume lowers, and Vonne's name appears on the screen.

"Hey, lady," I answer.

"She is alive. Well, it's about damn time you answered your phone," she retorts sarcastically.

"I'm sorry. Ben accidentally took my phone, and by the time we got that squared away, we were running late to my parents’. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. How are you feeling? You scared the shit out of me."

It kills me that I've never shared this with her. She would go batshit crazy if I told her now. I wouldn't even know how to start that conversation.
I'm sorry that not only did I never tell you, but the guy who used to torment me is back in my life, and oh, did I mention he's related to Ben.
Yeah, that would go over real well.

"I'm okay, really. I just got a little overwhelmed and didn't eat. I'm good."

"All right. You better take care of yourself. Doesn't the trial start this week?"

"Yeah. It got moved up. I'm scrambling to get everything they need for the week. I'll be up to my eyeballs in work for the next couple of days."

"Well, now that I'm done with school, maybe we can meet up for lunch."

"Sounds good. I wanted to take you to get a mani-pedi for your graduation. My nails are trashed. I'll know what my schedule is when I get in today."

"Yay. Sounds good. It's a date so keep me posted."

"Will do. Okay, I'm getting close, and I don't want to miss my exit. I'll text you later."

"Sure thing. Talk to you later."

I HEAD OUT ABOUT AN
hour after Ari leaves for work. I drive toward campus with graduation on the brain. It's a week away. I only have a few things to wrap up before I'm a free man. At least from school, anyway. I took the internship in L.A. with my dad's old firm. You're looking at the new office bitch of The Law Offices of Loya, Rudd, and Rummel. My mother wasn't too happy I passed on the London opportunity. She was even more pissed when I added I was also staying at USC for law school. She blames Ari. God, that woman will never change.

Her ears must be ringing because my phone vibrates in my pocket the minute I park the car. I say a silent prayer that it's Ari. My thumb hovers over the screen as soon as I see her name. If I send her to voicemail, she'll just call me until I answer. I hit accept and face the music.

"Mother." I try to keep my tone pleasant, but I'm fooling no one.

"Do you always have to sound so bothered when I call you?"
Here we go.
I release a breath.

"You just caught me at a bad time, Mom. Sorry." The truth is it never is a good time. The woman exasperates me.

"I'm sorry, but it never seems to be a good time," she says, relaying my thoughts.

"I just got to campus. Can I call you when I'm done here?"

"Oh. Well, I'll be quick. I just wanted to see if you were free after your graduation. Andrew and I would like to take you out to dinner if you don't already have plans."

The question hangs between us. If I say no, she'll start the waterworks. I roll my eyes and hold in the frustrated sigh I'm dying to release.

"Ari is welcome to join us," she adds.

"That should be fine. Her work schedule is all over the place this week, so we haven't made any definite plans."

"Perfect. Well, then it's settled. I will make the reservations."

You can hear the excitement in her tone. I've pleased her because, for once, I didn't put up a fight. I just don't have the energy this week.

"Okay. I'm walking up to my advisor's office. I will give you a call tonight."

"Okay, sweetheart. Have a good day. I'll talk to you tonight."

It takes about an hour for me to finish up on campus. I had forgot to fill out a few forms, and with everything that happened with my grandmother, I completely forgot to pick up my cap and gown. I slide into the driver's seat and head back to the apartment. I dial Eli's number before taking off, and he answers after the first ring.

"What's up, bro?"

"Do you ever answer like a normal person?" I ask.

"Not when I see your ugly mug on the screen," he says chuckling.

"Shit just got real. I just picked up my cap and gown."

"Same here. I can't believe we're finally done. I've been packing up my apartment. I leave for New York in three weeks."

"That's nuts. So are you staying at your parents’ place out there?"

Eli's parents are stupid rich. They have a huge penthouse in New York. Let's not forget their properties in Paris, London, Italy, and the one they just got in Hawaii. His father is in publishing. He runs one of the largest publishing houses in Los Angeles; the larger one is in New York. He was groomed to be his father's successor from the time he learned to read.

"Yeah." He sounds distracted. Talking about his family, his dad, in particular, always seems to be a sore subject.

"Hey, I don't want to keep you. I was just calling because my mom wants to make reservations for dinner after my graduation ceremony. You're still coming, right?"

"Umm . . .” He pauses briefly. "I planned on it."

"Why do I feel a ‘but’ coming?" I ask.

"Vonne invited me too," he says, letting out a sigh.

"And? It's the same ceremony, and we have the same major. What's the problem?"

"I don't want to lead her on, man. I slipped up on Sunday, and I'm leaving."

"Wait. What do you mean you slipped up on Sunday?" He lets out a resigned sigh. I knew it would only be a matter of time till he cracked. A slow grin spreads across my face.

"You're worse than a girl sometimes, you know that," he says annoyed.

"Hold on, I'm just gonna grab some nail polish while you tell me how you slipped up."

"All right, dick. I feel guilty enough as it is."

"You better not fuck this up, bro. That's my girl’s best friend. She'll cut both of our balls off; assuming Vonne doesn't get to them first. What happened?"

"We drove to the services together on Sunday. She thought I might want to have a few drinks with you and offered to drive. Everything was going good, but when we got back to her house, I went inside instead of just getting in my damn car."

"And?" He's killing me here.

"And I didn't leave until the next morning, okay? I feel like such a douche. I like this girl, a lot. I just don't have the time to get into anything serious."

"You were upfront with her from the beginning, right?" I ask.

"Yeah and she swore she wasn't looking for anything serious either. She's leaving to go to San Diego for the summer and I'll be across the country, so it can't work. Right?"