Page 95 of Strike Zone

WREN

It’s been two weeks since I said goodbye to Wyatt’s family. Being back on campus feels wrong. I spent the first few days cleaning out my closet. None of my old clothes felt right after wearing jean shorts and sundresses.

I’ve taken on more tutoring jobs and buried myself in schoolwork. Anything to keep my mind occupied. If not, I’m constantly thinking about kidnapping Wyatt and driving us back to Rivers Bend.

How about that for something wild and spontaneous?

After a lot of contemplation, internal debating, and lack of communication on Daniel’s end, I decided I needed to go to Georgia and handle the situation with him. I don’t have the time in my schedule for this trip but it needs to be done.

I also don’t have the emotional bandwidth to continue to question and guess what will happen. With graduation looming, my time with Wyatt is coming closer to an end unless I do something about it.

I told Wyatt I was going home for a few days, but I didn’t tell him why. Just that I wanted to see my family. I purposefully picked a weekend he would be out of town playing so he couldn’t come with me. I know he would have tried.

Honesty, I don’t know what to tell him. Until I know how this is going to play out, I don’t want to get his hopes up. Assuming he has hopes of us staying together and making something out of what we've started.

We aren’t in a real relationship. He isn’t my boyfriend. Our agreement ends at graduation or before, if one of us wants out. Even if he decides he doesn’t want a relationship with me. If he decides he wants out, I can’t get married.

I pull into my parents’ driveway and take a deep breath. They were surprised to hear I was going to drive home for a visit. I didn’t tell them I was here to speak to Daniel either. That would give my mom the wrong idea.

I find my mom in the living room reading a book. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun, and she is lounging in a blouse and dress slacks. It looks uncomfortable and overdressed for lounging around the house after being surrounded by jeans and cotton shirts at Wyatt’s house.

“Hi, Mom,” I say.

“Wren, you look great.” She takes in my air-dried hair and casual attire of jeans and button up shirt. Not quite what I was wearing on the farm, but more relaxed than I was dressing before. “How was your drive?” She greets me with a hug.

“Uneventful.” And it was. Without Wyatt singing off tune or asking me a million questions, it was boring. I missed his enthusiasm for the alphabet game and spotting road signs. Riding in a car will never be the same after having him drive me around for hours with his hand on my thigh.

“Sometimes that is a good thing. I’m so glad you’re here. Did you have a nice spring break?” My mom takes my hands and urges me to sit on the couch with her.

“I did. I went with my friend to his family’s farm for a few days.”

“How was that? It doesn’t sound like something you would volunteer to do,” she says with a knowing smile.

“It was actually really nice. His family was very welcoming. I was mainly there to help them with resurrecting their farm and business. They were spinning their wheels trying to keep it afloat.”

“Let me guess. You showed up with your brilliant mind and came up with a plan to turn things around.” Her lips tilt in amusement.

“Something like that,” I mumble.

“And your friend?”

“What about him?” I ask, avoiding eye contact.

“Your dad had led me to believe that the two of you were growing closer. He mentioned there might be more to your friendship than casually spending time together.”

“I’m not sure how he came to that conclusion by the information I’ve given him. I only asked him for advice on how to handle some of the hurdles they are facing in their business,” I explain.

“He knows his daughter well. So do I. There is something different about you and I have a feeling he has something to do with it. Will you tell me about him?”

I settle myself deeper into the couch cushions. “There isn’t much to say about Wyatt. He’s the most infuriating man I’ve ever met. He’s messy and loud. He’s impulsive. He takes one second to think about the consequences before taking action. He eats entirely too fast.”

She is grinning ear to ear. “He’s made quite the impression on you. You like him. Do you love him?”

“I’m not sure if that’s something I’m capable of doing. But I care about him a lot. It won’t matter if I can’t figure out a way to get out of this situation with Daniel.”

“Wren,” she says with a thread of sadness. “You are capable of loving another person. I don’t know why you would think you aren’t. And if you do love him, which I suspect you do, there isn't a situation with Daniel to worry about.”

“What about Mr. Abbott? Dad would lose a lot of business.” Not that I think he will continue to work with him once I tell him what Abbott is going to do to Wyatt’s family.

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