Change of Plans - C.L. Blackwell Page 0,17

this one out man.” I gave him a challenging stare. He paused for a minute, “Look, she’s in the car. You can go give it a shot, but I wouldn’t be counting on anything.”

A shot was all I need. I jumped up and asked Brody if we could switch cars, and he could drive Rebecca home and I would meet him later at my house. His eyes narrowed, but he eventually agreed. I handed him my keys, grabbed Allie’s chocolate milkshake, said goodbye to Rebecca, and left toward Brody’s truck.

I could see her through the window of her car and she looked like a mess. Too much of a mess to just be caused by the fight Matt and I had. Her feet sat on the dashboard of the truck, and her gaze was down at her hands that were twisting in her lap. She didn’t exactly look sad, just confused. She didn’t look up when I opened the door and hopped in.

Assuming I was Brody, she mumbled, “Did you get me chocolate?”

I picked up her milkshake a took a sip, “Mmm, yeah, that’s chocolate.”

She groaned when she recognized my voice, “Get out, Caleb. I don’t want to have to deal with you today, too.”

“Well, too bad,” I smiled and turned up the radio to The Black Keys. She mumbled something under her breath. I turned down the volume dial and turned to her, “What?”

She looked back at me, “I was just thinking that at least you had a good taste in music.” I smiled. She liked The Black Keys too? Now that I had her talking, hopefully I could get something out of her.

I pulled out onto the main street. “So what’s got you in a mood?” I questioned.

“I’m not in a mood,” she snapped. I turned toward her and raised an eyebrow. “Okay, fine maybe I am, but it’s none of your business.” She reached for her shake and I reached out and put my hand on hers. Before she pulled away, I tried to take away some of her emotions. I’d never done it before. It was something only pairs could do, people said it just came naturally. It shocked both me and Allie. Literally, it felt like an electric current was running through me.

She snatched her hand back, “What did you just do?”

I didn’t need her getting suspicious, “Nothing. It was probably just static electricity. Sorry.” She didn’t look convinced, but didn’t question me.

The rest of the ride to her house was in silence, the only noise between us being The Black Keys. When I pulled into her driveway, I turned off the engine and sat there quietly. Her legs were crisscrossed in her seat and she was looking everywhere but me. I spoke tentatively, “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but I just have to know. Am I the reason you’re upset?”

She sighed, “Surprisingly, for once, you’re not the reason.” My shoulders sagged in relief. At least it wasn’t me, but who was it?

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked quietly. She shook her head no. “Okay. Come on, let me walk you to your door.” I hopped out, grabbing her bag of fries. I followed her closely to the door and she turned toward me when she was right by the door. She was shocked by my close proximity and tried to take a step back but bumped into the wooden door behind her. I held the bag of fries in between the tight space between our bodies.

“Oh, fries too,” she said excitedly. She reached for the bag, but I got an idea and quickly snatched it out of her reach. She glared at me.

“How about a hug at least?” I asked, not expecting for my wish to be granted. I was surprised when she reached on her tip toes and slipped her slender arms around my neck. My arms automatically went around her waist and I held her close to me. Her head tucked perfectly in the crook of my neck, but all too quickly she pulled away with a shy smile.

“Thanks,” she said and slipped past the door, fries in hand. I stood there with a smile, maybe I was finally getting to her. The heightened emotions from the shift were coming to my aid, but only confusing her. I knew her Wolf side was coming to me for comfort, and I was more than willing to give it. I stopped staring at a closed door like