His fingers curl tighter around the nylon strap. “Yeah. Not much room for knick-knacks in a padded room.”
Still as bitchy and sarcastic as ever. It’s like a full body exhale. I breathe out a laugh.
His brows knit. “What’s so funny?”
Grinning, I unlock the car. “You.”
Outwardly, he’s expressionless, but the air around us is charged with electrons at war. Only this time, it’s mine trying to break in and his holding the line. Unfortunately for him, I was a linebacker and a damn determined one.
“Come on, Troublemaker, get in before I get a ticket.”
He hesitates and my heart shoots up my throat. He can’t be destined to slip through my fingers again. The minutes tick by as I wait for his decision. Finally, he shuffles an inch closer to the truck.
“Can we make a few pit stops?”
Negotiating. I’ll take it.
“How many are we talking?”
“Is that a yes?”
“Depends on where.”
I swear his lip twitches.Score for Seba.
“It shouldn’t matter.”
“Itdoes‘cause if we're going out of the way, I need to let your dad know we’re gonna be late and then we gotta hit the gas station to fill up the truck. I’ve got maybe ten miles ’til E.”
“So we have to make a stop anyway,” he counters.
I sigh, “Just tell me where you wanna go, darlin, and I’ll take you.”
He stiffens.Shit. Probably shouldn’t have called him that. I wish he’d take those fucking sunglasses off so I can gauge what he’s thinking. But he keeps them on, hiding behind them. Hiding fromme.
Come on, baby. I know there’s a viper beneath that pretty face. Show me your fangs. Bite me. Fight me. I’ll be your willing victim.
As if hearing me, his upper lip curls into a frustrated snarl. He rips the passenger door open, chucking his duffel in first, then slumping in the bucket seat with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Coffee. And cigarettes.”
I reach into the cupholder and toss the opened box of cigarettes— his favorite brand— into his lap, followed by the lighter.
“Thefuck you have these for?”
“I think it’s pretty obvious,” I shrug and drape my arm over the back of his seat to check my blind spot before pulling away from the curb. Can’t have him changing his mind now.
He mutters something under his breath, hiking a knee to his chest as he cracks the window and lights up. He’s pressed against the door like he can’t get far enough away from me.
It stings.
His eyes close as he exhales a stream of smoke. “Just one pit stop, I guess.”
I nod, the dull ache in my heart returning. I would’ve chauffeured him all around town if it meant having him to myself a little longer. I would’ve made up any excuse. Canceled every plan. Risked my cover. Anything to be alone with him.
The cab bounces as we turn onto State Road 40. On cue, we pass a hand-painted sign attached to a chain-link fence–God’s Plan: One man, One Woman.
For fuck’s sake, Cade’s been back for less than twenty minutes and the universe— or God himself— is already punching me in the face with warnings. Staring at the road ahead, I extend a hand toward him.
