Page 36 of Just a Little Crush
“No.”
“Please, Rennie?”
“Hanging out with thirty toddlers is the opposite of resting.”
“I can’t spend another day watching TV and eating crisps. I mean, I could, but I’m feeling better. I want some fresh air, and I need to check on the shop. Just let me come into town for a bit.”
“Fine,” he concedes. “Be ready at 10:30.”
I’m thrilled to be heading out, excited to see the big wide world. I miss my lovely little town and all those who bask in her glory. And I’m especially happy that I got my way with Rennie, even if he’s clearly in a grump about me being out at all. Only once we’re on the road into town does he break his silence.
“Siri, call Charlton’s Cheeses,” he says, and his phone follows his orders. That reminds me, I still need to set these voice activation things up on my phone, should, god forbid, I ever find myself in the unfortunate position of losing my phone in a car crash again. Wait…did he say Charlton’s Cheeses?
“What are you doing?”
The phone rings twice before the call connects. “Charlton’s Cheeses, Alyssa speaking.”
“What. Are. You. Doing?” I mouth and Rennie continues to ignore me.
“Hi Aly, it’s Alistair.”
“Oh hey, how’s my girl doing?”
“She’s good. I’ve got her in the car with me just now. Listen, I’m coming into town for Rhyme Time and I’m gonna drop Bec with you for a bit. Think she’s getting a bit sick of being cooped up with me.”
Alyssa snorts from the other end of the line. “Yeah right.”That cheeky cow.
“Can you make sure there’s a chair or something for her to sit on? I don’t want her doing shit. She’s supposed to be resting, but she’s terrible at following orders.”
“Ha!” she hoots, “I can try.”
“We’ll be there in five.” He ends the call and, though he keeps his eyes on the road, I can see him smiling like he’s won this round.
“Rennie, you’re not the boss of me,” I huff.
“I fucking am, Bec,” he says, his voice low and growly. “You’ll do exactly as you’re told today, and if you don’t, there will be consequences. Do you understand me?”
Hoooooly shit.
In the shop, Alyssa has brought the little desk chair down from my flat and positioned it by the rear door for me to sit on.
“This is obstructing a fire exit,” Rennie says, picking the chair up like it’s made of air. “Come on Aly, you know better than this.”
“Sorry, there’s not exactly room for furniture in here.” He looks around and realises she’s right, there’s nowhere else for a chair to go. He puts it back where it started.
“How about I just stand? I’m perfectly capable.”
“You sit,” he says, pointing at the chair until I do as I’m told.
“Yes, Sir,” I say like a cocky little shit. I’m pretty sure I hear him curse under his breath and that’s how I know I’m getting to him.
“I’ll be back in 45 minutes. If there’s a fire, you call 999 and get everyone out through the front door as quickly as possible.”
“There won’t be a—“
“Don’t you dare say it!” he shouts, and Alyssa and I both snap our mouths shut.
“And Rebecca,” he says, half out of the door. “If I come back and find you up that stepladder, you’ll be in a world of trouble. Behave.” He winks as he goes and my cheeks burn.Fucking hell, I love bossy Rennie.
