CHAPTER 241: MEETING EZRA

"He’s not weird!" I’d snapped, my voice loud and sharp, cutting through the car’s quiet hum. Sonny’s hands froze on the wheel, and he pulled the car to a sudden stop at the side of the highway, the tires crunching on gravel as the engine idled. His eyes widened, a mix of shock and amusement flashing across his face as he turned to me, his smirk fading into a surprised chuckle.

I felt my cheeks burn, my heart racing as I realized how intense I’d sounded.

"I-I mean..." I stammered, looking down at my lap, my fingers twisting the bag’s strap, embarrassment flooding me. "He’s a good kid and... cares for me just a little too much, you know?" My voice was softer now, shaky, as I tried to cover up my outburst, my eyes avoiding Sonny’s gaze.

Sonny let out a breath, his grin returning, warm and easy as he leaned back in the seat. "Yeah... ahh... I mean, I know he’s a good kid," he said, his voice light, a smile tugging at his lips as he ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Y...es..." I said, nodding slowly.

I forced a small smile, my heart still pounding from my own reaction, Ezra’s face flashing in my mind—his quiet smile, his steady presence, the way he’d always been there for me.

Sonny’s expression softened, his smirk fading into something more sincere. "Hey, sorry for using the word ’weird,’" he said, a sweat breaking out on his brow as he gave me a sheepish smile. "I shouldn’t have said that about your stepson. My bad."

I waved my hands in the air, shaking my head quickly, my cheeks still burning. "No, no, it’s okay," I said, my voice rushed, trying to smooth things over. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have raised my voice like that. It just... came out suddenly." I laughed nervously.

Sonny chuckled, his smile warm and forgiving, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I understand. It’s okay, hehe," he said, his voice light, easing the tension in the car. "Guess I hit a nerve. You’re protective of him, huh?"

I nodded, my smile softening, my heart heavy with a mix of guilt and affection for Ezra. "Yeah, I am," I said quietly, my voice honest as I glanced out the window, the city blurring past. "He’s... important to me."

Sonny nodded, his grin returning as he reached for the wheel.

"You can drive now," I said, gesturing toward the steering wheel, a small laugh escaping as I tried to lighten the mood. "That won’t happen again, promise."

"Yeah, sure," Sonny replied, his voice playful as he started the car, the engine purring back to life.

The sedan glided smoothly onto the highway, the ride so gentle I barely felt the bumps, the warmth of the car wrapping around me like a cocoon.

Sonny glanced at me, his chuckle soft and warm. "You sure love him a lot," he said, his voice light but with a hint of curiosity, his eyes flicking between me and the road.

"Yeah, I do," I replied, my voice honest, my heart aching as I thought of Ezra—his quiet love, his hurt after my rejection, his silence now. My fingers tightened on my bag, the guilt surging stronger, but Sonny’s easy presence kept it from overwhelming me.

"The way you reacted back there, it came out like pure instinct to protect him," Sonny said, his voice gentle, a polite smile spreading across his lips as he glanced at me, his hands steady on the wheel. "Pretty fierce, Aeri."

I laughed softly, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment as I turned my face to the window, watching the city blur past. "Hehe... it’s embarrassing," I said, "I shouldn’t have yelled like that. It just... slipped out."

Sonny shook his head, his smile warm and reassuring. "Shhh, it’s okay," he said, his voice soft but firm, his eyes flicking to me before returning to the road. He reached over, his fingers brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear, the touch light but intimate. "It’s completely normal, and I totally get it. You care about him. That’s a good thing."

I turned to look at him, a low blush creeping over my cheeks, my heart racing at his understanding. "Thanks," I said.

*Screech.* The car slowed with a gentle brake, pulling to a stop in front of my house, a cozy two-story house with white walls and a small front yard, the grass still damp with morning dew.

We both opened our doors and stepped out, the cool air hitting my bare legs, making me shiver slightly. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, the groceries rustling, and turned to Sonny, who stood on the opposite side of the car, his grin easy and confident.

"Thank you for the ride," I said, my voice warm as I looked at him across the hood of the sedan. "Really saved me from that cold walk."

"No worries at all," Sonny replied, his voice light. He glanced past me, nodding toward my house. "That’s a cute-looking place you got there."

I turned to look at my house, a smile spreading across my face as I took in the familiar sight—the flower boxes under the windows, the slightly crooked mailbox, the warmth of home despite the chaos in my heart.

"Hehe, thanks," I said, my voice softening with pride. "I bought it back when I was still working full-time. Took a lot of late nights to make it happen."

Sonny nodded, his grin widening. "That’s awesome," he said, his voice genuine.

"Yeah, it’s home," I said, my voice quieter now, my fingers tightening on my bag’s strap.

*Step.* The sound of footsteps on the pavement snapped me out of my thoughts, and a familiar voice called out, low and hesitant.

"Aeri..."

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to see Ezra standing around the corner of the house, his tall frame outlined by the morning light. He wore a black shirt over a fitted black t-shirt, black pants, and white boots, his dark long hair slightly messy, like he’d just rolled out of bed or, more likely, was just getting home himself.

His eyes, usually warm and steady, held a flicker of something—hurt, maybe, or confusion—as they landed on me, then flicked to Sonny standing by the car. My stomach twisting with guilt, the reckless night with Sonny crashing against the reality of seeing Ezra here, now.