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I crossed my arms and glared out the window, making sure my forcewasn’t on him. “No. I’m not.” I said with a huff.

“Come on, buttercup. Smile.” Alec’s voice had way too much happiness in it.

“Shut up,” I muttered under my breath, with little meaning behind the words.

Alec’s phone began buzzing in the console, and I was glad the attention was off me slightly. I kept staring out the window while he answered.

“Yeah, Mom?” Alec’s voice still held happiness and it was hard to not smile when he was so happy. Mainly because I had never seen Alec so relaxed and happy. Usually he was chasing a skirt.

“Ok, Mom. I will make sure I get her home.”

I spun around and looked at Alec, who didn’t have his eyes on the road. He was staring directly at me.

He closed his phone and his large grin turned into a normal smile. “So your parents are looking for you.”

“I was expecting as much.” I muttered. “Xavier most likely gave Dad a call.”

“He wouldn’t know it was you.”

I gave Alec a dry look. “My scent would have been all over the place. Though lucky for you, he doesn’t know yours.”

Alec took his eyes off me and back onto the road. His happiness from before now dimmed, though I didn’t know why. He didn’t have to go back and face a lecture.

“Do your parents know that you and Xavier are having problems?”

“Problems?” I scoffed. “That’s putting it lightly. But, yeah, they know. Dad’s actually the one who came up with the plan.”

“Plan?” Alec shot me a glance. “What plan?”

“I just have to get through the next few months and then I leave.” I shrugged my shoulders and played with the drawstring on my bag. “I get to travel for a year or longer. Who knows?”

“You’re leaving?” Alec’s voice took me by surprise. My head shot up.

“Not for a few more months.”

“Because of Xavier?”

“Yes.” I cocked my head to the side, trying to work out why he looked slightly pissed off. “Why are you angry?”

“Just doesn’t seem fair. That’s all.” Alec hid his emotions and turned his eyes back to the road. I saw his knuckles turning white from clenching the steering wheel tight.

“I suppose it’s not fair, but it’s in my best interest. And, on the bright side, I won’t be around annoying you for a full year.” I made light of the subject but Alec shot me a dry look.

I didn’t see why this killed the happy mood so quickly. Frowning slightly, I thought a change of subject was needed. “So, um, what are you doing tonight?” I asked Alec.

“I got a date.” Alec signaled to pull into my driveway. “You?”

“A date? With who?”

“No one you would know.” Alec’s smirk made an appearance and he slowed to a stop outside the house.

“Well, good luck on your date.” Our eyes were locked for a few moments, his shielding emotion and showing only calmness. “I’d better go.”

Alec nodded his head and I opened the door, picking my bag up off the floor.

“Thanks for last night and today.” I gave him a small smile before I closed the car door. I saw his head nod in acknowledgement before the door shut.

Turning around, I sighed looking at the overly large house. I suppose it was time to see why my parents were trying to track me down. I just hoped it had nothing to do with Xavier because just the mention of his name was like rubbing salt in a flesh wound.