Page 74 of Always: A Legacy Novel

“Something worth getting his mouth busted for.”

“As sweet as it is to think you might have been defending my honor or something, you didn’t need to do that, Cross.”

“That is a sweet thought. Keep thinking it.”

Catherine shook her head. “You do realize the whole school is on your girlfriend’s side in whatever happened, and hate me.”

“Not my girlfriend, and worry less about what people think, Catherine.”

“Easier said than done.”

A comfortable silence filled the small bit of space between them. Catherine didn’t mind, and with Cross’s gaze surveying the people, she had all the time in the world to appreciate the lines on his handsome face.

Then again, looking at Cross for too long seemed to be bad for her insides. It did all kind of strange and terrible things—things she liked far too much.

“Let’s get out of here,” Cross murmured.

Catherine sighed. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”

Because the more he talked, the harder the invisible butterflies beat inside her stomach.

“Besides, where in the hell are we going to go?”

“I’ve got a new Range Rover and a nice set of keys to match,” Cross said.

She frowned. “You have your license already?”

Cross shrugged. “I’m almost finished with my hours and can take my road test, but for now … I’ve got a license that looks real enough to get me by.”

Jesus.

Catherine could only laugh. “That’s … wow.”

“The Range Rover was supposed to entice me to get in my driving hours. It certainly enticed me to do something.”

“How are you not locked in your room, grounded for life?” she asked.

Cross grinned wickedly. “Mostly, I do what I want, but sometimes, what they don’t know won’t hurt them.”

She could relate to that.

Far too well.

“So, you coming?” he asked.

Catherine drummed her fingers against the wall behind her. “There’s no reason for us to hang out, Cross.”

Except she wanted to.

Badly.

She just didn’t want to get herself mixed up in his brand of trouble, even if every part of her thought it would be all kinds of fun.

“I think there’s lots of reasons,” he replied, “starting with a conversation about why you broke my fucking heart.”

Catherine stiffened. “That was over a year ago.”

“So? Considering I kicked a guy’s ass for you, got a nice public shaming from Dina, and I still think it was worth it, you owe me a conversation. At the very least, Catherine.”