Page 47 of So This Is War
God, if only he’d understand.
“Well, I’m exhausted, and I have to wake up early to get a jumpstart on things. I should go. Thanks for checking on me, Dad. I love you.”
He sighs. “I love you, Wylie. Be safe.”
“I will. Night, Dad.”
“Night.”
I hang up the phone and set it down on the nightstand.
I slip under the covers of my freshly made bed and sink into the comfortable mattress.
You got this, Wylie.
You can do this.
You can prove to him that you can handle this on your own.
I let out a deep breath, close my eyes, and allow my mind to drift to the designs I want to work on. To my plans of starting my own business. I have a checklist of everything I need to do to make that happen, a checklist I unfortunately learned from school—hate saying that because it just shows that my dad is right about a few things—and then there are?—
Ding.
My eyes flash open, and I glance at my lit-up phone screen. A text from Levi.
I turn on my side and open the text.
Levi:Hopefully, you’re not asleep yet. I forgot I need something from the store. Think you can run out and get it?
Is he serious right now?
Sitting up, I type him back.
Wylie:I’m awake. What do you need?
Barely awake, but it’s fine. If he wants something, I’ll grab it even though I’m ready to pass out.
Levi:You can drive, right?
Wylie:Yes.
Levi:Great. There’s a bakery that stays open twenty-four hours. They have the best bagels ever, and they’re most fresh at one in the morning. It’s their first batch for the morning. Can you grab me a dozen everything bagels?
I stare at the text, blinking a few times.
Wylie:Wouldn’t the second batch be fresher for you? Since you’re going to sleep? I can grab them first thing in the morning.
Levi:They use different water for the second batch. Trust me, these are way better. Put them on the card I gave you to use. Thanks.
Is this seriously happening? He wants me to get out of bed and grab him bagels that he won’t eat for hours?
A part of me wants to go to sleep, wake up a little earlier than he does, purchase the second batch, and see if he can even tell, but with my luck, he’ll wake up at five and be looking for his bagels with none to eat.
Reluctantly, I slide out of bed, put on my shoes, and text him back.
Wylie:Send me the address, and I’ll grab those bagels for you.
Levi:You’re awesome. Thanks. It’s Port Hole Bagels.
