"So?"
"So the way you're acting now, it's like I'm in detention or something."
Over the last couple of weeks, it hadn't truly felt that way. But his current attitude made everything seem strange and disjointed, like it had in the beginning.
I didn't like it.
In the driver's seat, his jaw clenched, but he made no reply.
For some reason, I couldn't let it go. "Gee, thanks for the insight. That's sooooo helpful."
Abruptly, he turned the car into a vacant lot, hit the brakes, and turned to face me. "What, you want a day off?"
"Maybe." I glanced away. "I don't know. I just mean…" I didn't bother finishing the sentence, mostly because I had no idea what I was saying.
Or thinking.
Or feeling.
I let my words trail off with a useless shrug.
Flynn said, "That's no kind of answer."
Now, it was my turn to scoff. "You're one to talk."
"So tell me," he said. "If you had a day off, what would you do?"
This really wasn't any of his business. And yet, itdidmake me wonder. HowwouldI spend the time?
For the last five years, I'd been so focused on survival that I hadn't built much of a life aside from working crappy jobs and trying unsuccessfully to finish my college degree.
I almost never had any money, so I didn't shop or go out. I seldom had any free time so I didn't have a lot of fun. And as far as friends, most of them had faded after my family's fall from grace.
Still, I couldn’t really blame them considering that I'd kept everyone at a distance evenbeforeGordon had been sent away.
And yet, all of this begged a strange question. WhatwouldI do if I had more time and freedom?
I'd get a new life, that's what.
In the car, Flynn was still waiting for my answer.
Finally, I mumbled, "I don't know."
"Yeah. Welcome to the club." And with that, he pulled out of the lot and started driving once again toward his house.
I studied him in profile for a long moment before saying, "Welcome to the club? What doesthatmean?"
"Hell if I know."
I was seriously tempted to push the issue, but knowing Flynn, he'd just push right back, demanding better answers from me, too.
Was I ready for that?
Not hardly.
Back at his place, Flynn spent the rest of the day andthenthe rest of the night acting like a total jackass, stomping around the house and glowering at anything that moved.
Especially me.
By the time I went to bed, I'd had just about enough. I silently vowed that when morning came, I'd give him something to glower about, all right.
And itwouldn’tbe pretty.
