"That's…" Ren didn't know what to say about Evie's new car. His throat tightened a little, and his mind went blank for a moment. It wasn't about the car itself. It was the fact that he had bought a vehicle with the idea—no, the hope—of driving her. Of sharing small moments together before and after school. Of having something that connected them outside the game.
Now that she had her own car, all of that felt pointless.
Ren turned his head slightly to hide the disappointment flickering across his face. ". . . Great," he managed to say, though there was a faint grumble in his tone. "Mine is pre-ordered."
Evie nodded, still missing the subtle shift in Ren's expression. "Mine is only second hand though," she repeated, her voice carrying that rare excitement she seldom showed.
