Page 24 of Trust Me

At that, I laughed. “You never really know. Don’t people always say they had no idea their neighbor was evil? The most normal guy or whatever.”

“You’re the expert.”

“Nah, I don’t take an interest in killers.”

“Weird.”

I raised a brow, but he was looking ahead. “Why is that weird?”

“Everyone seems to be into serial killers these days. Sadie loved true crime. Maybe that was a red flag.”

“Who’s Sadie?”

His jaw noticeably tensed, and beneath the box, his fingers gripped it more tightly. “Just my ex.”

I hummed my acknowledgement, not knowing what else to say. My nosey ass wanted to know more about that situation, but I figured asking would be a bad way to start this friendship. Or housing partnership. Or whatever this was.

When I stopped at my car, Dean made a sound. At first, I didn’t know what it was, but then I realized he was laughing.

“You drive this?”

I opened the back and set the box inside. He didn’t seem to care that I was taking it.

“That’s what most people do with cars,” I said. “I mean, except you.”

He snorted. “Isn’t this that hamster car?”

“It has soul, like its name suggests.”

“Yeah, if you say so. As long as you like it.”

“I think it’s pretty neat.” Leaning against the back, I cocked my head. “What errand had you looking ready to fight a Saiyan earlier?”

“Are you my mom now?”

Humming, I looked him up and down. “Underground fight ring? Secret rendezvous with a pretty girl?”

“Bold of you to assume she’s pretty.”

“I mean, look at you.”

“Mm. Well, it wouldn’t be secret if I spilled now, would it?”

“Maybe you can tell I’m the most trustworthy guy on campus.”

“Nah, Linc exists.”

I frowned. “If he’s ever missing in action, I’m your guy.”

Dean just grunted his acknowledgement.

Interesting.

I wanted so badly to keep prying. Dean was a simple guy, and I doubted it was anything incredibly interesting, but that wasn’t the point.

Maybe he was stripping for some rich, lonely old woman.

Tapping my fingers on the car, I stared at his dark eyes. “Cheers to being mobile again,” I said with a smile.

“Sure. See you there.”

Once I got in my car, I tried to replay one of my favorite Dragon Ball episodes in my head. It helped me avoid thinking about pestering him, although the urge still gnawed at my insides relentlessly.