Read Online In My Head by S.L. Schiefer - Free Book Online Page B

now.”
    That makes me laugh. I don’t think anyone could stop Ben from doing anything he set his mind to.
    The rest of the meal isn’t as painful as I thought it would be, or as it started. After all the food was eaten David and Martha started playing with the kids so I was able to finish cleaning up. After cleaning up, I just sat back and relaxed.
    I almost pulled out my Kindle, I was being ignored anyways. But I didn’t want to seem too rude. Right before the kids are set to head to bed, my in laws finally leave. I get the kids to bed, then Ben and I fall into bed and promptly pass right out.
    That’s a great night right there.

 
     
     
    ONE THING IS FOR sure, I don’t really like bugs. Every time I’m out here I get eaten up by bugs. Since discovering these trails, I’ve made it a point to come out here once a week just to get away from the house. I haven’t seen Bronson out here since that first time though, which shouldn’t make me as sad as it does.
    I’ve hiked just about every trail there is in the few short weeks I’ve been here. And I’ve found that every single one leads to a different opening. But I always end up back at the clearing where I met Bronson. Waiting for a little bit each time to see if he’ll show up.
    But he never does.
    I think I’ve built him up to be this fictional character, like in the books I read. Christ, that would make me absolutely crazy wouldn’t it?
    I continue on the path, absorbing all the sounds that nature provides, not really paying any attention to my surroundings. Just walking with a single minded mission to get to that clearing.
    So when I hear footsteps behind me and a clear voice, I about just about jump out of my skin. I whirl around, not really sure what I’m going to do if someone tries to attack me, and come face to face with the mysterious boy himself.
    “Hey, Lyla,” he greets me in his low voice.
    “Hey,” I reply in a breathy voice.
    He smiles. “I didn’t scare you, did I?”
    “Well, what exactly do you think is going to happen when you sneak up on someone out here?” I hiss at him.
    “It’s not like I was being super quiet, I thought I was pretty loud myself,” Bronson snickered. “Let’s go sit down, and talk.”
    I shrug. “Sure why not.”
    We walk in companionable silence towards the clearing. When we make it there, we each sit down in one of the chairs. Looking at him, I find that he’s already staring at me. Not saying anything. Which makes me nervous.
    “What?” I ask worried.
    With a smile that reaches his eyes he states, “You are so beautiful.”
    I feel my cheeks heat up with a blush, that I’m sure is covering my entire face. But I don’t answer him. I’m not really sure what I would even reply back.
    “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m know I’m a lot to take in at first, but I won’t bite.” Cue big grin. “Unless you ask, very nicely.”
    I groan and roll my eyes. “What a typical male thing to say.”
    “Let’s play a game.”
    I chew on my bottom lip, not sure that I want to go there with him. But that grin on his face is enough to coax me. “Okay, I’ll bite. What game?”
    “Twenty questions. Simple rules. But, every time you pass, the other gets something in return.”
    “In return? Like what?” My mind is spinning with every possible thing that could be.
    “I don’t know, we get to choose what it is when we get to that point.”
    Sucking my lip back into my mouth, I wage an internal war with myself. Play this game and finally learn something about my mysterious stranger that has taken over my life or don’t and go back home.
    “All right, sure. What the hell.” Excitement gleamed in his eyes.
    “I’d let you go first, but I’m no gentleman. What’s your favorite color?”
    Thinking that this may be easier than what I thought I answer quickly. “Blue. What’s yours?”
    “Black.”
    I scoff. “That’s not even a real color. Who says that?”
    “Are you judging me? I