So don't call me baby unless you mean it

Don't tell me you need me unless you believe it

-Ed Sheeran, Dive

June 28, 2016 1:09 p.m.

Leaning on my car, I focused on my phone knowing I was bound to die. I could never last for more than thirty seconds. The game was just too damn hard.

"Dammit," I grumbled as my prediction came true.

I was about to try again when the elevator dinged. My eyes darted in it's direction, the game losing all of my concentration.

I watched as McKenna made her way over through the hotel garage, one hand clutching her duffel bag, the other holding onto her phone which currently held her focus. She was wearing a black t-shirt that matched her chucks along with ripped blue jeans. It was simple, yet she looked amazing.

I think the fact I hadn't seen her in a week was getting to me.

I still couldn't believe she agreed to drive me to my dad's. I wasn't allowed behind the wheel for a while and needed someone to take me for the weekend. Granted, I could have hired a driver, but I took a shot in dark and asked McKenna.

Gratefully, she said yes.

She stopped a few feet in front of the car before looking up. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of me, seemingly frozen.

I furrowed my eyebrows, setting up my crutches, "What is it?" Self-conscious, I looked down at myself before back at her.

"You got a haircut?"

A smile spread over my face realizing that's what caught her attention. "Yeah," I chuckled hopping over to her, "Cooper kind of made me."

"It looks good," McKenna stated. I could feel her eyes on me as I leaned forward to take her bag out of her hand.

"Careful now," I smirked before standing straight to look down at her, "My looks have a tendency to make people fall insanely in love with me."

McKenna rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless. "Yeah I think we're safe," she responded.

I hope not.

She walked past me to look over the vehicle. "So I'm driving this? Awesome!" McKenna exclaimed obviously excited. 

"Yup," I strode over to the rear to toss McKenna's bag in the Jeep's truck.

When she had agreed to drive me, I had insisted she might as well stick around for the weekend. Apparently she already met my father at the hospital so he was cool with it. It would also give us a chance to talk without our schedules conflicting.

"How many cars do you have exactly?"

"Four," I stated admiring the white Jeep Wrangler alongside her. I only drove it when I was planning to visit David, my dad. The outside was spotless and the brown leather interior wasn't far from it either. "Jared always wanted a Jeep. It was his dream car."

He had showed me pictures of it, when he was getting serious about buying one. It was almost exactly the same. I wasn't much of a Jeep fan, but having it made me feel a little more closer to Jared. Like he was in the passenger seat with me when I was driving down the countryside roads.

"Well he did have great taste," McKenna remarked moving a lock of her wavy hair behind her ear as she looked over at me softly.

"Yeah," I muttered knowing he would have gone crazy over it. "Just don't hurt her," I said after a moment digging the keys out of my pockets.

"Don't worry," McKenna smirked taking them, "I'm a good driver, unlike some people."

"Are you ever going to let that go?" I scowled.

"Not a chance," McKenna called out making her way to the driver's side.

3:15 p.m.

"Would you stop touching that."

"I will. Once I find a good radio station," I continued to fiddle with the stations.

"How are you going to do that. You're not even stopping to listen."

"They're all ads."

"You have to wait for the music to come on."

"We don't have time for that."

"We have another five hours," McKenna called out focusing on the road. We had left the city over an hour ago and were on the open road, "We have nothing but time."

I froze, she did have a point.

Nope, still wasn't down. Leaning even closer to the radio, I continued on with my search as McKenna sighed in frustration.

"Why did your dad decide to live in Ohio anyways?" McKenna asked changing topics.

"I don't know," I muttered. Where the hell were all the good stations?

"Seriously?"

"Yeah," I answered rethinking my decision of not installing bluetooth in the Jeep. I looked up from the corner of my eyes to see McKenna staring at me intently.

Realizing my answer wasn't going to be enough, I shrugged falling back in my seat.

"I don't know why Ohio. I think he relocated 'cause of his job. He settled in Cleveland for a while before he met Dia. They got married and moved to Bringley Creek." 

"And that's where we're going?" McKenna asked focusing back on the road seeming satisfied with my answer.

"Bingo."

"David mentioned he had a daughter. Ally?" McKenna went on referring to my dad.

"Aliza," I corrected, "my step-sister." To be honest, I had resented Aliza when I first met her. It was hard seeing my dad every month with his new family: new wife, new kid.

It was as if we never existed for him. Maybe I still wasn't completely over it, but Aliza definitely grew on me. "She's a sweet kid. Definitely hitting her rebel phase, though."

"Why's that?" McKenna chuckled.

"Oh, you'll see," I smirked.

"C'mon, not even a hint?"

"Nope," I shook my head, deciding to go back to finding a station as another ad filled the car.

"Reece," McKenna pursued.

"Why does it matter so much," I laughed.

"I want to be prepared when I meet all of them," McKenna explained.

"Wow," I remarked tilting my head to look over at her.

"What?"

"Trying to make a good first impression. That's very, dare I say, girlfriend-y of you McKenna Ellis," I teased.

"Well we are in a fake relationship," she shot back.

I cracked a smile, "But you know they know its staged."

McKenna refrained from answering, focusing intently on the road. A smug smile settled on my face as I focused on the radio again.

That was the fourth comment I've made about our relationship. She's been dodging them, but no doubt knew my intentions. I wanted her to bring up what happened. I wanted to know what she had to say.

"Oh my god, no! Don't touch it!"

I froze, looking over at McKenna as I tried to listen to what song it was.

"Turn it up," McKenna demanded, grinning.

I did as I was told, still not realizing what song it was. Listening intently, I knew the beat was familiar, but couldn't place it.

"Oh my god," I let out a laugh, the first line hitting me, "You got excited over this song?" I questioned.

"Hey, Miley knows how to write a hit," McKenna defended moving to the beat.

"But Party in the U.S.A? Really?" I shook my head amused.

"You're one to talk Milkshake," she shot back referring to the song on my phone as she turned the volume even louder

My eyes widened in surprise when she started singing along word for word. She started off calm, her fingertips tapped on the steering wheel.

After a few verses, gaining confidence, she began bobbing along to the song bellowing out the lyrics perfectly. I might have mocked her for knowing this song so well but I was too awestruck at the moment.

She was crazy and I was definitely falling.

I continued to watch with a dopey smile as the song came to a close. 

"I hadn't heard that song in so long," McKenna laughed, as she caught her breath.

"Couldn't tell. You knew every line," I remarked, amused.

"Some songs you just don't forget," McKenna ran a hand through her hair before glancing over at me, a brilliant light dancing in her hazel eyes, "Hey buddy, first concert is free, but you're gonna have to pay like everyone else for the second."

I let out a laugh, "I'd buy out the whole stadium."

McKenna was about to respond when her eyes widened as another song came on, "It's like they want me to relive my childhood!"

I listened intently to the beat, sitting straight in my seat, "Oh! I know this one."

"Lies," McKenna shot back, daringly.

I held up a finger, as I mentally counted down until the song began. As the song began, so did I:

Check yes Juliet
Are you with me?
Rain is falling down on the sidewalk
I won't go until you come outside
Check yes Juliet
Kill the Limbo
I'll keep tossing rocks at your window

Continuing to sing along, I made the notes higher than they were originally intended to be, straining my voice in the process.

I took a deep breath as the song came to an end.

"How could you have possibly known that song?" McKenna asked, slack-jawed. 

"Aliza had a band phase and wouldn't stop blasting music," I answered shamelessly. I told her every chance I got how annoying it was, but a lot of the songs grew on me.

"Wow," McKenna chuckled as a more mellow song came on. I think it was another old boyband, but one I wasn't familiar with. She set her sight back on the road with a small smile settling on her lips.

"Hey," I called over.

She turned toward me, her eyes catching mine. They were warm and enticing and I couldn't figure out how anyone could refrain from getting lost in them. 

I smiled reciting her words back to her, "The next concert won't be free."

6:27 p.m.

"There's a rest stop in ten miles. I bet they'll have some type of food there," I remarked looking at my phone.

I rubbed my eyes, the length of the trip getting to me. It's been quiet for almost an hour, both of us too tired to continue on a conversation at this point.

We went on singing along to some more songs for a while, before getting caught up in just talking. Then we just fell in a comfortable silence where I tried not to fall asleep. 

I sighed, I didn't have service at the moment so I was relying on a sign on the side of the road I saw a few moments ago.

"I hope so," McKenna muttered with a yawn, "I'm starving."

"I'm tired," I remarked stretching.

"You're not even driving," McKenna commented, confused.

"But I'm the designated passenger. Awake at all times to keep the driver, which is you, company," I explained.

"Oh, how did I ever get so lucky," McKenna drawled.

"Mock all you want, but it is a serious job," I warned looking out the window. It had gotten dark about half an hour ago. The only light came from the headlights of oncoming vehicles as well as our own.

"Oh, I don't doubt it," McKenna answered covering another yawn with her mouth.

"You sure you're not too tired to drive?" I asked eyeing her.

"I'm fine," McKenna answered focusing back on the road.

"You sure?"

"Being the only eligible driver here, I kind of have to be," McKenna remarked.

"Are we back on that again?" I sighed getting tired of the constant reminders of the accident.

"Back on what?"

"I drove over the speed limit. I wasn't paying attention. And yes, I got in an accident. Can we please not bring it up again?" I stated turning toward McKenna.

"Why does it bother you so much?" she asked avoiding eye contact as she continued looking out the front window.

"You mean aside from the fact that it put me in the hospital?"

"Yeah."

I shrugged exasperated, "What other reason would I need?"

"Maybe the reason why you decided to drive over the limit in the first place," McKenna called out giving me a quick look before shifting her focus back on the road.

"Oh," I answered dumbly, "That."

"Yeah," McKenna muttered, "That." Her lips were pursed, and she was holding onto the steering wheel rather tightly as she switched lanes.

How did the conversation end up here?

"That's not why it bothers me," I lied lamely knowing there was no way she was going to fall for it.

I wasn't prepared to answer that question, though. I had no idea how to even start trying to explain that to McKenna without seeming like a total ass.

"Of course it isn't," she muttered taking the exit.

"I-I don't know what else to say," I spoke truthfully, leaning on the side window.

"Nothing," McKenna shrugged, "Just forget I asked, alright."

I watched in silence from the corner of my eyes as her demeanor changed. Her shoulders were tense and her expression, guarded.

We followed the signs in complete silence allowing the music to try and fill the tension. McKenna pulled into a diner that seemed semi-crowded and parked.

Not wasting a second, McKenna unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car. Leaning over my seat, I grabbed a hold of my crutches before following her lead.

Stepping out of the car, I was immediately struck by how cold it was. Leave it to Ohio to have chilly nights in June.

I trudged around the car to see McKenna hugging herself in efforts to protect herself from the night air.

"You're cold," I stated.

"Thanks for stating the obvious," McKenna remarked her tone sharp enough to cut steel. She rubbed her arms trying to catch some warmth as she stood there in her dark t-shirt.

Why was she never prepared for the weather?

"Wait," I stopped her as she started making her way to the diner.

"What?"

I moved back to the trunk making sure she was still waiting. Opening it, I fished through my bag before I found a hoodie.

Closing the door, I made my way over to McKenna, "here."

She looked down at the black piece of clothing before back at me, "I don't need it."

"Yeah you do."

"I'm fine."

"McKenna, it's freezing. Just wear the hoodie." I insisted.

"I told you, I feel fine," She argued stubbornly.

"Look you're pissed. Fine, be pissed at me. But don't get sick while doing it," I said firmly not planning on backing down.

McKenna gritted her teeth, before taking the hoodie grudgingly. Without another word, she made her way to the diner as she pulled the hoodie over her.

"You're welcome," I muttered putting my jacket hood over my head and following after her.

The inside of the small diner wasn't as busy as I thought it was. A lot of the booths were still open and there were only a few people in line. It seemed like more people were ordering food to go.

The place overall made me feel like I was in an 80's movie with its checkered floors and red leather seats. The walls were covered with vintage posters and each table was lit with a light strung right in the middle of the table.

"Not a bad place," I remarked as the line pushed forward.

McKenna didn't make a motion to respond as she moved forward, her arms crossed.

"So you're just not going to talk to me now?" I asked looking over at her.

She gave me a 'what do you think' look before turning away. Sighing, I remained quiet as we waited for our turn in line.

"Welcome to Sally's, what would you like tonight?" the teenage girl droned as if she was reading a script before looking up at us.

Suddenly she stood straight, her blue eyes widening. "Seriously," she continued her voice lifting, as she looked me over with a teasing smile, "Anything at all. On or off the menu."

I heard McKenna scoff from beside me before she ordered a sandwich. I shifted uncomfortably under the cashier's penetrating gaze as I tried to focus on the menu behind her.

"And for you?" she cooed.

"Yeah, uh," I scanned the menu again, "How are the pancakes here?"

"Amazing," she chirped. "Have it once and you will definitely be coming around for seconds," she went on, flipping her blonde hair behind her shoulder.

"Well okay," I laughed awkwardly. She obviously didn't recognize me, but that certainly didn't stop her from attempting to flirt. "I think I'll get the pancakes."

"Good choice," she winked, "That'll be $18.76."

Seeing McKenna take out her credit card, I moved forward, "No, I got it." Taking out a crumbled twenty, I extended it to the girl. She took it, leaving her hand in mine for a second too long.

"I'm going to the restroom," McKenna muttered walking off without waiting for a reply.

Frowning, I watched her leave. This girl definitely wasn't helping things.

"Was that your girlfriend?" she asked.

I turned back toward her, raising an eyebrow, "Do you really care?"

She shrugged taking a second to think about it as she got my change together. "Nope," she popped the 'p.'

"Right," I nodded taking my change while avoiding her claws, "Well she is."

"Hmm, well that's a shame," she muttered with a smirk.

Taking the receipt from her, I shook my head, "No, that's your personality."

Not waiting for a response, I strolled off to an empty booth. Waiting, I took out my phone grateful I had signal. I spent a few minutes responding back to Beck and then Germain.

We were trying to plan a time to hangout. It felt weird talking to him again, but I couldn't lie; I was happy it was happening.

As I responded, McKenna sat down across from me. Putting my phone away, I looked over at her. Her eyes were dim and guarded as she mulled me over.

I wanted to say something to make all the tension go away. Hell, I knew what she wanted me to explain, but I've never been good with words. Especially those regarding my past. I opened my mouth, attempting to ease the tension when McKenna started speaking.

"You said you cared. You said all this is more than just an arrangement. You said you didn't want to be confusing. You said all these things and yet I end up thinking the same thing," she accused.

"And what's that?"

"That we're deluding ourselves. That in a few weeks we're going to have to break up and all this is going to end. That this shouldn't be anything more than what it is supposed to be," McKenna explained her voice low, defeated.

"McKenna-"

"Some days you're really sweet and caring. You're laughing and doing all these things that I can't help but-" she broke off, her eyes glistening, "and other days you're closed off. Distant  and I'm not blaming you for anything. You've been through a lot, but it's hard to be there for you when you won't let me in."

I looked down at the table letting her words sink in. I knew I wasn't easy to deal with and I couldn't help it. It was just hard talking to people about a time I broke my heart over and over again without even trying to reassemble it.

Not only were there bad memories but I was also ashamed of who I was. Of who I am capable of becoming.

Glancing back up at McKenna, I knew I was wrong, though. She wasn't 'people.' And if I wanted us to have a shot at more than friends I had to talk to her.

"Her name was Vye," I started, "the girl at the concert. I knew her in high school. Well, I guess I more than just knew her."

I exhaled as McKenna watched, waiting for me to continue. I was about to when the cashier chick came up to our table with our food. Practically throwing our meals on the table, she glared at me before storming off.

Maybe I was a bit too harsh with her. I looked back at McKenna who was giving me a questioningly look, but I chose to ignore it.

"I've only had one real girlfriend, which ended a few months after the accident. I was unravelling and I dragged her down with me. Vye was her best friend and she got caught up in the mess. Long story short, not only did I end our relationship, but I shattered theirs."

If I was being honest, Vye may have introduced Izzy to the party scene in high school, but she also always had her back making sure she was alright. When I ruined their friendship, Izzy had no one to lean on anymore.

And I knew better than anyone, it was easy to fall into a dark hole when there's no more lights to guide you.

"Seeing Vye just brought up a lot of memories I've tried to bury. She may have influenced what I did that night, but not in the way you think she did," I continued wanting McKenna to have no doubt in that.

"So she wasn't an ex?" McKenna questioned, her hazel eyes analyzing mine.

I shook my head.

"Okay," McKenna nodded picking up her sandwich, "Thanks for letting me know."

"Is that it?" I raised an eyebrow, surprised, "No comment on what an asshole I was? Jerkface?"

"I already knew you weren't the best you back then," McKenna answered, "But you're different now so no, I don't need to comment on any of that."

I gave a small smile, grateful.

"But if I did have another question?" McKenna asked.

I exhaled, this time knowing exactly what to say, "Then I'll gladly answer."

McKenna smiled warmly making me believe things were going to be alright.

But then she turned her focus to her sandwich and my thoughts turned to Lexi. I couldn't seem to shake what she had said.

There is something unique about feelings that are one sided. It's strong, radiating from one person, one source.

But it's also mind numbingly painful.

And sitting here, across from McKenna's serene figure I've realized something.

If thats all that we turn out to be; then I'll gladly take the pain.

A/N: Wow, I think I maxed my word count xD Anyways, hope you liked the chapter! Personally loved writing it. This weekend will be an insight into Reece's life so stay tuned!

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