"Didn't have to guess," Tolliver said, glancing at me then back to the road. "Your fire and passion. It's all there, Freya. I hear you in the music."
Something clogged my throat.
I wasn't sure what it was.
But my emotions were high, and I would not let them get the best of me.
Slipping off my shoes, placing my feet deliberately on the dash, inwardly, I cringed but outwardly, I said, "Whatever. My back hurts. Hope you don't mind if I sit like this."
Tolliver didn't call out my rudeness.
He didn't freak because I'd disrespected his car.
He didn't even stop, call me a heathen, and demand I get out.
No, what Tolliver did was worse.
"Damn, your back hurts?" he said, sounding concerned. "Should we go to the hospital? I've got an ice pack and ointment in my bag. You want that? I can help you put it on if?—"
"No, no, it's fine," I said, dropping my feet to the floor. "I feel better already."
"Really?"
I nodded, sliding my shoes back on.
"That's good," he said in relief.
This was going horribly.
Not only had Inotmanaged to scare him, I was actually starting to like the guy.
And that was simply unacceptable.
What was a girl to do when the boy she was trying to repulse and annoy refused to be either of those things?
When Tolliver started whistling, I couldn't take it anymore and asked, "What's with you?"
He glanced at me from the driver's seat then back to the road. The smile hadn't dimmed.
"What?" he said.
"You seem happy," I said suspiciously.
A shrug. "It's a beautiful day."
Looking outside, I could admit that was true. There was nothing but blue skies and cotton candy clouds for miles. Still.
"I can stop smiling if it bothers you," he said.
"Yeah, I'd appreciate that," I said just to see if he would.
"No smiling. Got it, chief."
He stopped.
For about 30 seconds.
I sighed. "You're doing it again."
