Noah filming the whole thing had been advantageous. Ourvirtuous deedwould look good on screen. Nothing like aspontaneous act of altruism to win over an audience. One man risks his life to save another.
Not what I planned, but I would happily reap the benefits. Olivia’s negligence deserved to be punished. You didn’t bring a newbie along on a chase without at least giving them a basic safety lesson. What if we hadn’t been there? I shuddered to think of what could have happened.
Ten seconds in Gale’s company had taught me one thing. He was painfully shy and severely introverted. I’d suffered bouts of secondhand discomfort the entire ride home. The guy was an unraveling ball of nerves who didn’t seem to know how to simply exist.
I was glad the guys had gone easy on him after the camera stopped rolling. We had a tendency to target one another’s weaknesses and make fun of them. Gale would have likely taken it personally.
The night was dark and muggy in Elk City. Heavy clouds blocked the moon and stars. The house was lit up, but I didn’t see signs of my mother watching or waiting for my arrival. It was practically a miracle.
“Come on. I’ll take you home.” Aiming for my car, I patted my pockets. When I didn’t find the keys, I paused, only then remembering they were in the pants I’d worn earlier. I changed before racing from the house, so eager to get away that I’d forgotten to transfer them.
“Shit.” I didn’t even have my wallet, that was how determined I’d been to break free from my mother’s scrutiny.
“Is something wrong?” Gale had obediently followed me up the driveway, keeping a generous distance.
“My keys are inside.”
“Oh.”
Staring at the house, I raked my fingers through my tangled curls and blew out my cheeks. “Fuck my life. I really wanted to avoid the battlefield.”
“I can walk.”
“No. It’s fine. Wait out here. I’ll try to be fast.”
Gale retreated a few steps. “Really. It’s okay. My sister doesn’t live far, and I could use the fresh—”
“Dude, stop.” Gale went rigid, abandoning his retreat. “Trust me. You’re doing me a favor. Let me drive you home. Iwantto drive you home.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.”
I stared at him.
He stared right back, apprehension leaking from his pores. I couldn’t make out his eye color in the dark, and I was oddly curious. The rush earlier had stolen my attention, but now that we were alone, I couldn’t fight the impulsive need to look at him. Take him in.
Without contemplating how weird my actions were, I extended a finger, holding it out like ET.
Gale frowned. “What are you doing?”
I wiggled the digit. “Humor me. I want to know if we’re still conductive.”
Understanding blazed in Gale’s eyes as he glanced from my finger to my face. I didn’t think he’d do it, but after a beat, he balanced his camera in one arm and extended his finger to mine. The tips touched. No electric shock, not that I expected one, but I caught the faint kiss of a smile on his lips.
“Zap.” I feigned a jolt.
His smile grew, and he dropped his hand, looking adorably shy.
I aimed for the house. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck? Why am I wishing you luck?”
I chuckled. “It’s a long story. Just… stay. No running away.”
“I’m not a dog.”
No, but I got the sense he would vanish the second I went inside, and for whatever reason, I didn’t want him to go.
Once I was convinced he wasn’t going to flee, I braced for impact and headed into the house. The TV was on in the living room, loud enough to drown out most noises, but if I thought I could get in and out unseen, I was delusional.
