Page 108 of Leave a Mark
There was no way she could walk out and face any of them now, and she wasn’t going to hide in his room like a fool. Wren yanked on her jeans and sweater and found her shoes in his bathroom.
She listened at the door and could hear them arguing. Her purse was still in the kitchen. If she was quiet, she could make it out the back before anyone noticed.
Turning the knob of his bedroom door, Wren held her breath.
“No, Dad, youdon’tneed an invitation to come over, but a little warning would be nice, don’t you think?” Lee’s voice sounded strained.
She’d heard him get upset before, but this sounded different. Wren opened the door noiselessly.
“It never bothered you when you were with Marcelle,” his father countered.
She felt a little stab at this. It was more than just the mention of her name; it was the deference Lee’s father showed her. There was no way she’d ever get that.
“Well, it bothers me now.” The words were soft, but clipped, as if he was holding back.
Did it bother him now because of who she was? If he’d known they were coming, would he have stalled them or sent her away?
She crept into the hall and veered into the kitchen, trying to keep out of sight, but his father spoke again before she reached the door.
“Because of that girl?” His voice was hushed, but it still echoed down the hall. “Leland, I don’t mean to pry, but are you being careful? She looks like a drug addict.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
THE SOFT GASPthat floated down the hall made him turn. He caught her shattered look the moment before the kitchen door closed behind her.
“Wren—”
Lee took off at a run. He cleared the back yard in time to see her duck into the Mustang. He’d been here before — done this before — and it was the last thing he wanted.
“Don’t leave.”
She wouldn’t meet his eyes, and Lee knew that if she left now — after hearing what she’d heard — she might never come back. Wren shut the driver’s side door as he came around the front of the car.
“Don’t leave, Wren.” He stepped up her to side of the Mustang, but she slapped down the lock before he could open it. “Look at me, Wren.”
But she wouldn’t. Lee could see that she was digging in her bag, hunting for her keys, and he knew he had only seconds to get through to her. He bent low and pressed his fingertips to her window.
“You have to stop running.”
When she flinched, he knew she could hear him loud and clear.
“Stay with me and fight for us.”
The keys appeared in her hand, and he watched her struggle to fit the right one into the ignition.
“I love you, Wren. And I know you love me, too."
Wren stilled. She wouldn’t look at him, but it was enough to give him hope.
“What does it matter what anyone else thinks when we know what we have?”
The Mustang’s engine fired up.
“Shit, Wren, don’t do this.”
She pulled down the gearshift, putting the car into reverse, and Lee knew he had to leave them an out.
“This means nothing, Wren. You leaving now means nothing.” He thumped her window with the heel of his hand. “You’re upset, and that’s okay. But we’re okay, too.”
