Page 34 of Knowing Amelia

My cheeks flame, and I hurry into the house for my escape.

“Chocolate puffs and Pooh Bear. And pretty.” I shake out my hands and huff out a breath. But I’m still jittery. So, I race upstairs to shower and clear my head.

Over the next few hours, I take my time. My shower is long and thoughtful—there’s so much to think and figure out here.

I slip into my jeans and turquoise blouse. With time to spare, I apply my granite eye shadow and curl my long hair into waves. On my way out of the bathroom, I peek into Amelia’s bedroom, staying on my side of the threshold. I haven’t decided if I’ll enter when that old rotary phone is ringing again. I hurry down the stairs and into the kitchen. But Amelia doesn’t have an ancient answering machine to accompany her old-fashioned telephone. Even the luxury of caller ID or simply canceling the noise isn’t an option.

I reach out for the receiver but pause midair. I have no doubt who’s calling. And I cannot listen to another lecture, not now. The ringing eventually quiets, and a rap on the door fills its place. Logan.

Another rap.

“Come in!” I holler, getting in all my steps as I race up the stairs to fetch my purse.

On my way down, the ringing begins again.

“Hey, Liv,” Logan calls. “Do you want me to get that?”

“No!” I fly from the stairs, but Logan is in the kitchen. He’s reaching. He’s going to answer. He— “No!” I breathlessly shout, throwing out my arm and wrapping my fingers around his wrist. “Sorry, there’s no caller ID, and I don’t want the lecture right now.”

His dark brows furrow. “They want you to come home?”

“Yeah.”

“Pretty persistent, aren’t they?”

“It’s my dad. Benjamin’s fine. He’s all about work right now. But my dad doesn’t like that I’m here. He thinks I am wasting my time. I would guess he’s convincing Benjamin to badger me.”

His hand slips from my hold until his fingertips just touch mine. “That doesn’t make sense.”

Sweat pools at my neck. “Which part? What do you mean?” Amelia’s house needs air conditioning.

“I would think you being gone would make Ben crazy.”

My hand tingles where he touches, making it difficult to think straight. I pull my hand back, crossing my arms. “Benjamin… is… really focused right now.”

“So focused it doesn’t matter to him that you’re not around?”

Swallowing, I walk to the front door. I don’t have an answer for that. So, I trudge toward Logan’s place, letting him trail behind. I make my way to the old beat-up truck with its rusted green body that practically blends in with Rendezvous’ background. Then, without permission, I climb into the cab and wait for Logan.

I stare out the passenger window. Logan climbs in beside me, and I speak—so unforgivingly. “Neither of them understands my side of this. They won’t even pretend to.”

“Oh.” His brows lift. “I thought the silence meant we weren’t talking about this.” He slides his key into the ignition and the truck roars to life.

I flutter my eyes. “We’re not. I’m just frustrated.”

“Liv.” He turns toward me. “If you need to vent, you should, but I won’t be able to stay silent. If you talk, I’ll voice my honest opinion. You may not like it.”

Is that some kind of warning?

“Go ahead, tell me about the puppy. I mean Ben.”

My mouth falls open. “Did you just⁠—”

“Call your boyfriend a puppy? I did. Talk all you want, Liv. However, you take the chance of me insulting your boyfriend again.”

I scoff. “Fine.” I grit my teeth and face forward again. “I’m done. We’re not talking about this.” Biting my inner cheek, I try to stay silent, but then I’m looking at him again. “But why would you⁠—”

“He follows your dad around like a⁠—”