I didn’t even bother shutting the car door.
My feet rushed over the pavement and came to a skidding halt a few feet from him. “Micah.”
He froze, a deer in headlights. Then he swallowed. “Vanya?”
“Yes, sorry.”
“You didn’t text.” His voice was tight. Almost angry.
I felt a tiny spark of anger rushing up my spine. “Was waiting for you. For apology!”
“I—fuck you,” he spat.
I took a step back. He was…mad at me? My head began to spin. Had I done something wrong? Pushed him into something? Read his signals incorrectly?
Had I…oh god, had I hurt him?
“Micah.” My voice wobbled in the back of my throat. “Did I do something?—”
“Fuck,” he whispered, cutting me off. “No, look. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I took off, okay? Is…is that why you’re here? For an apology?”
“No. I’m here to take you home.”
He stumbled a step back. “What?”
“Sleepover, remember?” I raked my fingers through my hair, a little frustrated because why was he acting so confused? “You can’t go home.”
“Yes, I can. This is—I’m being stupid, okay? This whole thing with Hunter, it’s whatever. It’s…” He stopped. “He’s not here, is he?”
Obviously, his thing with Hunter was not “whatever,” but I wasn’t going to fight him on it. He was a stubborn bastard, which was one of the things I liked so much about him.
“No. He’s not here. But I was at my game tonight, so I didn’t watch the stands.”
His shoulders sagged, and he shook his head. “It’s fine. He’s probably off sulking. I’m just going to go home and relax and let myself feel fucking comfortable in my own place?—”
“Okay. I drive.”
“Vanya,” he started, but I stepped forward to close the distance between us, and when I clutched his wrist, he went quiet.
And pliant.
Just the way I wanted him.
“Come.”
“You don’t need to do that,” he murmured, but his hand turned to find mine, and his fingers slotted between my own.
I couldn’t hide my smile. “Yes, but I drive all this way. Might as well make use of it.”
He didn’t argue this time. He put his hand on my elbow instead, tucking his cane in close to his body, and followed me to the car.
While he got situated, I took my time glancing around the parking lot at whatever lingering crowd was left, but there wasn’t a sign of the stalker. I gave it a few extra minutes, but when I was sure we were alone, I put the car into drive and headed for the street.
“You want some food?” I asked, breezing past the guard at the gate.
Micah sighed. “Not really.”
“You eat today?”
