I sigh. “No, we’re not over. We’re playing the roles, so people don’t suspect anything.”
“Damon went into a room with Olivia.” She sighs like she expected that. Like we’d be like Chase and cheat on her.
“He was probably angry at seeing Chase kiss you.”
She makes a dismissive sound like that would be ridiculous, but I know Damon. We’ve been friends forever and I’ve never seen him react to a girl the way he reacts to Annie. I dismissed it at first. Figured he’s fucking angry. Angry at his father. Angry at Chase. Angry at having his future ripped away.
But there’s something else here. He doesn’t have to sleep with Annie to fuck with her. But I know that’s where she spends her nights. In his arms. In his bed.
Maybe the first night was a control thing, but he just holds her now. He set us up with the feed to his cameras, figuring we deserve to have those pieces of Annie since she’s ours. He takes care of her.
When it comes down to it, I don’t know if he’ll be able to drive her and her mom out of his life. Not if it means losing Annie.
“Come on, Annie. Let’s head back into town.”
She doesn’t try to stand. “What for?”
This girl. Fuck. “To get warm and to find out what we do next.”
Her gaze darts up to mine. “I don’t want to be around Chase anymore.”
I nod. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll be able to see him and not beat the living shit out of him.
Standing, I offer her my hands to pull her up. Once she’s standing, she brushes off her ass. When she tries to offer my jacket back to me, I shake my head.
“You wear it.”
She puts her arms in it while I get my helmet on. Then I help her with hers. When I get on the bike, she doesn’t hesitate to climb on behind me. She still wraps around me like a koala bear, tucked in tight against me, but I like the way she feels.
I go slower on the way home. This is one of my favorite roads to ride on. And having Annie with me makes it even better.
Riding with a girl is a simple thing, but when everything else in my life screams at me to excel, riding is just joyful for me. I could ride with Annie wrapped around me for hours.
As we reach town, I could take her to my house, but she’ll be more comfortable at hers and Damon’s.
All the lights are out when we pull up. Their parents are probably out in the city for the weekend again. But I know how to get in. When I park in the garage and shut off my motorcycle, Annie climbs off and for a moment, I wish she still had issues.
I like taking care of her, which should make me hesitate, but I’m through hesitating when it comes to this girl. As soon as both helmets are secure, I take Annie’s hand and lead her to the side door. The code unlocks the door, and I guide her in. While this may be where she lives now, this is where I grew up. I’m more familiar with the house.
As I lead her into the kitchen, she follows behind me. Her fingers tangled with mine. The fear I felt when she called to tell me she’d been abandoned in the woods still clings to me. When I stop and look into her blue eyes, I find it still clings to her as well.
Taking hold of her hips, I lift her onto the counter before turning and getting her a towel, wetting it with warm water. When I hand it to her, her smile is sad.
“Thank you.”
I move over to the refrigerator and grab us bottles of water. “Are you hungry?”
“No, thank you.” She wipes at her face with the towel as she peers around the kitchen. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen this kitchen without staff in it.”
“Guess they can’t afford a night kitchen employee.” I grab a small tray of veggies just in case she changes her mind.
She hums in agreement.
When I walk back over to her, I set the items beside her on the island. I step between her knees and slide my hand beneath her hair and tip her chin, so she looks into my eyes.
I search her stormy blue eyes for a moment. “What do you need, Annie?”
She shrugs. Does no one take care of this girl? It seems like she expects nothing from any of us. Sure, we’re essentially blackmailing her, but it doesn’t seem like she expects anything from anyone in her family or friends.
