The Secret of Ella and Micha(26)

She starts to turn away from me, but I catch the bottom of her shirt. "Ella May, stop talking to me like we're business associates. I know you better than anyone and I know when something's bothering you."

"I said I was fine." Her voice is tight as she forces back the tears. The girl never lets herself cry, even when her mom died.

"No, you're not," I steer her by the shoulders toward me. "And you need to let it out."

She stares at the floor. "I can't."

I tuck my finger under her chin and raise her head up, looking into her eyes. "Yes, you can. It's killing you inside."

Her shoulders quiver and she lets her head fall against my chest. I rub her back and tell her it will be okay. It's not much, but it's enough for the moment.

Finally she pulls back and her face is unreadable. "Where's Lila?"

"I left her with Ethan at the shop." I sit down on the kitchen table that's stacked with unopened bills. "She's supposed to come back here when her car's fixed."

She gazes out the window, lost in her thoughts. "She could just go home after Ethan's done. She doesn't need to come back here."

"Where does she live?"

"In California."

"Then she probably shouldn't leave tonight." I glance out the window at the sun setting behind the shallow hills. "It's late and she's going to be driving by herself, right?"

Ella nods, spaced out as she twists her hair around her finger. "And I worry about her making the drive by herself. I mean she practically freaked out when we ran into Grantford at the restrooms over by the lake."

My fingers grip the edge of the table. "You ran into Grantford?"

She lowers her hand from her hair and lets it fall to her side. "Yeah, but it wasn't a big deal. He just acted like himself and you know how that is."

I release the table from my death grip, trying to clear the anger out of my head. No matter what Ella says, Grantford never should have left her on the bridge that night when she was that out of it.

I stretch my legs out in front of me and change the direction of the conversation. "How did you end up becoming friends with Lila?"

She bites down on her lip, contemplating. "We were roommates." She shrugs, letting her lip pop out from her teeth and it drives me crazy because all I want to do is bite down on it myself. "She was really nice and different from all my friends here and I wanted a change."

I hop off the table and move in front of her. "Change is good, but completely shutting down is a whole other story, Ella, have you... Did you ever talk to anyone about what happened with your mom?"

Her shoulders stiffen and she turns for the doorway, preparing to leave. "That's none of your business."

I block her path. "Yes it is. I've known you forever, so I get full rights to what's inside your head."

Her eyes narrow and she puts her hands on her hips. "Get out of my way, Micha Scott."

"What is it with you using my last name?" I say. "Before, when you'd get mad at me, you'd just call me a douche bag."

"I don't use those words anymore," she says flatly. "I'm nicer than that."

"Really?" I accuse. "Because you sure seem pissed off at me all the time."

"I'm trying not to be," she fumes. "But you're making it very hard for me."

"Alright, you need a time out. I've had enough of your stubborn crap." I pick her up by the waist and throw her over my shoulder.

She lets out a startled gasp, and pounds her fists onto my back. "Dammit Micha, put me down!"

Ignoring her, I walk out the back door and down the empty driveway. I think about grabbing her ass just because I can, but I'm afraid she might bite me... although, that doesn't sound bad.

"Micha," she complains furiously. "Put me down!"

My mom steps out of the house as I carry her toward the garage. She's dressed in a black dress a little too short for her age. Her highlighted hair is fluffed up like a poodle and her makeup is caked on. She must have a date.

She stops on the top step and tilts her head to the side to get a better look. "Ella, is that you?"

Ella stops fussing and lifts up her head to look at my mom. "Hi, Miss Scott. How are you?"

"Hi, honey, I'm doing good... but is there a reason Micha's carrying you like that?" she questions. "Are you hurt?"

Ella shakes her head. "No, I'm fine. Micha just thinks he's funny."

Which means she secretly likes what I'm doing, but won't admit it.

"Actually, I'm taking her for a ride," I say slyly, inching my hand up the back of Ella's leg, and she slaps the back of my head playfully. "I'm taking you for a ride in my car. And you think I'm the pervert?"

My mom sighs, shaking her head, and opens her purse. "Well, it's nice to see you two together again." She takes out her car keys and her heels click as she trots down the steps. "Micha sure has missed you while you were gone."

"Bye mom," I wave her off, heading for the garage again, as my mom climbs into her Cadillac parked in the street near the curb.

"Is she going on a date?" Ella asks curiously.