Page 46 of Bones

Elsie

After a long, emotional day, I’d fallen asleep in Wyatt’s arms, and I’d slept better than I had in weeks. So well, in fact, that I’d overslept and was running late for class. I had to jump out of bed and rush down the hall to take a shower. I didn’t even have time to be bothered that I’d woken up in bed alone.

As soon as I was dressed, I headed out to the parking lot. I opened my door and had just thrown my bag into the backseat when I heard Cotton ask, “Where are you running off to so early this morning?”

“I’ve got class,” I answered with a yawn. “I’m going in a little early, so I can catch up on my notes.”

Cotton nodded, then asked, “So, are things going good with school?”

“Yeah, they’re going great.” I wouldn’t have even had the opportunity to go to college if it hadn’t been for Cotton and the brothers. They’d not only helped pay for my classes, but they had supported me and encouraged me every step of the way. “I’m hoping to get my information on graduation by next week.”

“Good deal.” A smile crossed his face as he said, “Proud of you, Else.”

“Thank you, Cotton.” I stepped over and gave him a quick hug. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I don’t know about that.” He chuckled. “You’re a stubborn one. You’d find a way—with or without us.”

“Maybe, but you gotta know that I’ll always be grateful for you and the brothers.”

“I do.” He motioned his hand towards my car. “Now, go on. Get to class.”

I nodded, then got in my car and headed to campus. It was cold, murky, and looked like snow, but I didn’t mind. I was in a great mood, and I wasn’t going to let anything bring me down. When I got to the communications building, I was pleased to see that there was a parking place right up front. I quickly nabbed it, then grabbed my bag and started inside.

I hadn’t gotten far when I heard someone call out my name.

“Elsie!” I turned, and my stomach sank when I spotted Ben rushing over to me. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Hey, Ben. It’s going okay.” He seemed different today, and it wasn’t just the fact that he’d traded his typical dress shirt and khakis for a black hoodie and jeans. He seemed agitated and off-center. It was unsettling. Not that it mattered. I had no interest in sharing a lengthy conversation with him, so I said, “I was just about to head into class.”

“I thought that class didn’t start until ten.”

I was a little thrown that he knew when my class started, but I let it go. “It does. I was just going to do a little studying beforehand.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Was there something you needed?”

“Yeah, uh...” He lowered his head and nervously toyed with a rock. “I just um... I just wanted to apologize for the other night.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary.”

“But it is.” He actually sounded sincere as he told me, “I don’t know what was up with me that night, but I shouldn’t have said all that stuff about your friends.”

“No, you shouldn’t have, but I appreciate you apologizing.”

“It’s the least I could do, especially after I made such a mess of our date.”

“It’s fine. Everything worked out.”

“I don’t know if I’d say that.” He grimaced as he said, “You left me high and dry at the restaurant. It wasn’t exactly the way I’d hoped the night would go.”

“Me either, but maybe it was for the best.” I glanced down at my watch, then said, “I’m sorry, but I really should get going.”

“Okay.” When I turned to leave, he quickly asked, “Hey, you wanna grab some coffee after class? Maybe do a quick review for the big Spanish test this afternoon.”

“Spanish test?” My heart sank at the thought. “Oh my God. I can’t believe I forgot about that.”

“It’s supposed to be a real kick in the ass, but we can cram and get you ready.”

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