Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) by T.A. Roth Read Free Book Online

putting them back where they came from," I say, shrugging.
    "Okay, well you let me know if you need my help. I have a light load today, and I can always come over and help."
    "Good to know. Thank you. I might take you up on it. I have a few more files to go through, but if it gets to be too much, I’ll come see where you're at with your stuff. Sound good?"
    "Sure thing, sugar. Just holler when you need me," she says with a wink.
    She's a few steps away from my desk when she turns back. "What is that you were eating, by the way? It smelled delicious." I look down at my empty container and smile.
    "It was lasagna. Ben cooked for me last night. It tasted even better than it smelled."
    "The man looks like that and can cook too? Do you want to trade?" she asks fanning herself dreamily. I giggle and shake my head.
    "No. I think I'll keep him for a while. Thanks, though."
    "Oh well, it was worth a try." She gives me a little shrug and heads back to her desk.
    I pick up my desk phone and finally make the phone call I've been dreading to make all day.
     

    Bumming around on Ari's couch is gonna get old quick. I've straightened up the apartment, checked the mail at my grandmother's house, and threw in a load of laundry. My mom calls just as I'm about to eat. I swear the woman has impeccable timing.
    "Yes, Mother." I know why she's calling, so there's no point in hiding my annoyance.
    "You forgot to call me last night, Benjamin. I need to make a reservation somewhere. All of the nice places will be booked if we wait too long."
    "I know. We had a long day, and I fell asleep before I had the chance to call you back. Ari and Eli will be joining us for sure and there might be one more."
    "Who would that be?" she asks curiously.
    "It's Ari's best friend, Vonne. She's also graduating with me and is the one who introduced us. Ari is checking with her to make sure she doesn't already have plans."
    "Okay, I'll just include her into the reservation. If we have to cancel, it shouldn't be a problem. Is there anywhere, in particular, you would like to go?" she asks.
    She's always just made plans without asking. I'm almost shocked.
    "No, I'm okay with whatever you decide."
    "Perfect. I'll make a few phone calls and see what's available. We're taking a short trip to Napa for the next couple of days. I will be in touch as soon as we return."
    "Okay. Talk to you soon." I'm about to hit the end button when I hear her voice come through the receiver again.
    "What was that?" I ask.
    "I said I love you."
    "Oh, I love you, too." I hit end and stare at my phone for a bit. I don't know why hearing her say those words is always so awkward. It just doesn't sound natural leaving her mouth. Does that sound bad? It's my mother, and I know she loves me. She just has a warped way of showing it. I'm about to place my phone on the table when it buzzes. At this rate, I'll starve before I get to eat my food. It's a text from Ari.
    Ari: I did it.
    Underneath those words is a screenshot of her therapy appointment confirmation. It's for next Friday at seven in the evening.
    Me: That's great. I'll be right there with you. It'll be fine, I promise.
    Ari: Thank you. I'm holding you to it.
    Me: What time will you be home?
    Ari: Just have a few more things to wrap up. I should be home around six. What's for dinner?
    Me: LOL.
    Ari: Don't laugh. I expect a hot meal on my table after a hard day’s work. Get to it, sir.
    Me: Very funny. I'll have something hot waiting for you all right.
    Ari: Promise??
    This conversation went south real quick; I sense a cold shower in my near future.
    Me: Hmm . . . is that a challenge?
    Ari: How do you always get me so worked up over text? I can't even hear your voice.
    Me: Because you're imagining my lips over the shell of your ear working their way to that sweet spot on your neck that drives you wild.
    Ari: And I am now shutting off my computer. See you in forty minutes.
    I chuckle to myself as I sit back and wait for her to come to