In Control (The City Series) by Crystal Serowka Read Free Book Online

c’mon!” the little girl shouted.
    “Okay, okay. Here it comes.” Wren finally threw their ball back to them, and we both watched the kids playfully trample one another in hopes of catching it.
    It landed a few feet from the girl, and she jumped on top of it, trapping it beneath her body. I watched with a smile on my face, looking up at Wren every so often; he held the same expression.
    “What’s going on up there?” Wren asked, tapping his finger against my temple.
    “Nothing really,” was my response, though in truth, my imagination was soaring with thoughts of having kids of my own someday, and how Wren would be the perfect fit to that equation.
    “Nothing on your mind?” Wren looked at me in disbelief. “Out with it.”
    I chuckled. “I was just thinking about all the fun we’ll have in the Hamptons.”
    “And you’ll get to meet my mom. That may actually be the highlight of your vacation,” he said sarcastically, grabbing my hand and continuing down the street.
    My smile fell. I hadn’t thought about meeting any of his family. Like any caring parent, they would want to know who their son was bringing home. They’d inquire about my past, where I was raised, what my parents did. The answers to those questions weren’t easy, and as soon as they found out that I was filth, they’d kick me out of their fancy home.
    “Your parents aren’t going to like me. Maybe I shouldn’t go. Maybe—”
    Wren stopped walking and put his hand over my mouth, pulling me into his chest and holding me as strangers walked past. I was usually so bothered when anyone showed affection in public, but as we stood there on the sidewalk, traffic rushing past us, I didn’t feel the need to pull away like I would have in the past. It felt okay. Almost good.
    “My mom is going to love you. Just as much as I do.” Wren whispered the last part, almost as if he knew that whispering the words in my ear would sink in even more.
    The silence between us stung, and as he let go me, I knew I had disappointed him. He walked ahead, not turning around to see if I was following. When I caught up, Wren’s happiness seemed to have disappeared. He trotted the sidewalk silently, acting as if I weren’t even there.
    “Did I do something?” I asked, grabbing his wrist to stop him.
    “You can’t say it yet, can you?”
    “Say what?” I knew what he was asking, but I couldn’t say those words out loud. If only he could read my mind, he’d hear them. Loud and clear. I’d shout them over and over until they were carved into my veins.
    “How long do I have to wait for you to tell me how you feel? How many times am I going to have to get over the fact that you can’t say three simple words?”
    Wren demanded an answer, but I didn’t know how to give it to him. The words were trapped inside of me.
    “Give me time. Please.”
    “I’ve waited a long time for this feeling, Kingsley. I’m not going to give up, but I hope that what you’re holding inside is what I need.” He held my face in his hands, his eyes piercing into mine. Within them, I could see hope. I could see that he wanted me. Needed me. His eyes pleaded with mine to let go of my inhibitions.
    I could have told him I loved him as he ascended the stairs, but I didn’t. Just the thought of being in love terrified me. Love brought on a bunch of other problems, and I witnessed those all before. I didn’t know if my heart could handle that kind of pain again.
    I walked into my bedroom just as Wren was picking up my suitcase from the corner of the room. Since I had just gotten back from Juilliard, I hadn’t had much time to unpack. Clothes were thrown over every surface. My closet doors were open, with empty hangers dangling from the knobs.
    When I moved into this room three years ago, Trish asked me what color I wanted to paint my walls. The only word I’d focused on in that sentence was the word my —everything else I ignored. I’d never had my own bedroom, and just the