Page 79 of Always: A Legacy Novel

“Nobody here tonight.”

“Nope. Too bad, though; these parties are way better than any Academy one I’ve been to.”

Catherine laughed. “You lie; you’re the king of the school, Cross. You’ve got more friends than—”

“I don’t like people all that much,” Cross interjected, “but they like me. I can’t help that.”

“You liked me,” she said.

Cross tipped his head to the side, catching Catherine in his line of vision. “Like, Catherine. And you’re not the same.”

Catherine stared out the windshield. “Do you bring other people here?”

“You mean people like—”

“Girlfriends.”

Cross barked out a laugh. “I don’t have girlfriends. Stop making me tell you that. And no, I don’t.”

“Would you bring me back? I mean, when there’s people and whatever?”

“Yeah,” Cross said without even thinking about it. He had the distinct feeling Catherine would enjoy it, for a whole bunch of reasons. “You only have to ask, you know.”

“I will.”

“Good.”

Catherine sighed. “I have to head back soon.”

“Don’t worry about it. And hey, stay away from pricks like Derik.”

“Pardon?”

Cross shrugged. “He’s not looking out for you in any way that doesn’t benefit him. He only wants what he can get from you because that’s what he sees as your worth, not what you’re willing to give. There’s a difference, Catherine. Just stay away from guys like him.”

“And what, be with guys like you?”

“I didn’t say that, either,” Cross murmured.

Catherine’s mouth quirked up in a grin. “Yeah, but you didn’t have to. Also, I kind of already figured that out. About him, I mean.”

“It’s more than just him.”

“I know,” she said simply.

Cross sat straighter in the seat, noting the time. Without a word, he put the Rover into first gear and pulled a U-turn on the old road.

“Would you teach me?” Catherine asked.

“To what?”

“Drive stick.”

Cross pumped the brake pedal just enough to slow the vehicle to a crawl. “Have you ever driven anything?”

“A side-by-side on vacation. Is it different?”

“A bit.”