And maybe that’s for the best.
I walk back to the sofa and lie down, grabbing the remote, turning the television back on.
48
Wren
The knock on my door startles me.
Peanut and Butter launch themselves off the couch where they’d been sleeping, their tiny bodies exploding with sudden energy. They race toward the door, barking their heads off like they’re guard dogs instead of fluffballs.
“Guys, relax,” I say, putting my mug of tea down on the coffee table and standing up.
I’m not expecting anyone. After everything that happened, I’ve been keeping to myself.
I go over to the door in my bare feet and peek through the peephole.
It’s Drake.
My eyebrows lift in surprise. What is he doing here?
I unlock the deadbolt and pull open the door. Peanut and Butter immediately shift their attention from barking to jumping on Drake’s legs, their tails wagging so hard their entire back-ends wiggle.
“Hey,” I say, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice. “This is unexpected.”
Drake smiles at my dogs, reaching down to scratch behind their ears. “Hey, Wren. Sorry to drop by unannounced.”
“It’s fine. Come in.” I step back, holding the door open wider.
He follows me inside. Peanut and Butter are still going crazy, circling his legs and demanding attention.
“Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Water?” I ask, moving toward the kitchen.
“I’m not staying long,” Drake says, still giving the dogs attention. “But thank you.”
I nod, crossing my arms over my chest. “No problem. We should sit.”
We go to the living room and take a seat opposite each other.
“What brings you by?” I ask.
Drake straightens up, his expression turning more serious. “I’m glad you finally agreed to accept the money from the Mainland government.”
I feel my face flush. “Oh. Yeah. It took some convincing, but…I came around.”
“So why haven’t you filled in the forms they sent you?” His eyes are assessing. “They’ve been sitting in your inbox for days.”
I shift uncomfortably, suddenly feeling like a kid being called out by a teacher. “I’ve been meaning to get to them, but…it’s been a little hectic.”
Drake gives me a knowing smile and then a knowing look to follow. The kind that says he can see right through my bullshit.
I sigh. “Okay, fine. That’s not true. I’m still hesitant to take their money. It doesn’t feel right.”
“Itisright,” Drake says firmly. “The Council fought hard to get you that compensation. After all you went through, you deserve it. It’s not taking a bribe. Don’t see it like that. Everything is out in the open. They’re not giving it to you to silence you. It’s going to you because of what they did…what they put you through.”
I bite my lip, still not convinced. He must see it on my face because he continues.
“Use it to do good,” he says. “Give it away to charity. Ethan’s parents are donating half. I don’t care what you end up doing, just as long as you take it. Go for some therapy. Wait a while before you decide. It’s all still so raw. Then use it, save it, give it away… I don’t care, as long as you take it.”
