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Stone
“Wantto come to the set after school?”
I rinsed out my coffee mug and put it in the top rack of the dishwasher.
“Wouldn’t I be in the way?” Muriella shrugged her bag onto her shoulder.
“Let me get that.” I held out my hand, and she reluctantly gave it to me. “I’d like for you to.”
She moved toward the foyer and picked up her keys from the console table. I grabbed my UT baseball hat and shoved it on my head before swiping the keys to the truck.
“You don’t have to drive me,” she protested as I held the door open for her, but it was half-hearted.
“I want to.”
She fiddled with her earring as we waited for the elevator. “I’ll come. Text me the address.”
If I wasn’t mistaken, she did a nervous shuffle of her feet, but a chime signaled and she marched through the doors.
“I’ll pick you up.”
She pursed her lips. “I can make my own way to and from work.”
“Is it selfish I want a little more time with you?” I leaned against the wall as we descended to the garage.
“No.”
“You okay this morning?” Yesterday I thought we’d gotten closer, but today I felt the distance between us again.
“Fine.”
That wasn’t a good sign.
I held open the passenger door of the truck while she climbed inside. Her posture was rigid as I closed her in the cab.
After I cranked the engine, I plugged in my phone and “True Love Ways” by Mickey Gilley began to play. If this was how we had to communicate, so be it.
She turned down the volume until the music was low in the background.
“I had a nightmare.”
My hand froze on the gearshift.
“I meant to turn the light on, but I wanted to see the stars and fell asleep. I can’t be in the dark,” she whispered.
A chill took hold. I’d done that. By trying to bring her joy, I’d hurt her.
“Want to talk about it?” I asked, letting the truck idle.
She shook her head, refusing to look at me.
“You could’ve come to me.” I needed to touch her, but couldn’t risk upsetting her.
“I didn’t want to wake you. It’s fine,” she brushed off. “It’s just been a while.”
“Can you make me a promise?”
“I’m not sure.” Her fingers spread over her knees.
