Page 36 of Ice Queen

I nod, but before I can say thank you, he turns and walks out the door. Leaving me standing there even more dumbfounded than I was yesterday when he walked away.

Hannah must know it because she steps in front of me with a smile on her face. “I told you, he’s loyal. Looks out for everyone.” Her arm wraps around my shoulder as we walk out of the house together. “And you, my friend, are officially one of us.”

She stops once we get to my car, not because it’s mine, but because Markus is standing outside of it.

His brows are pulled low over his eyes, an uncharacteristic scowl on his face as he stares at the old bat like it’s personally insulted him. “This is yours?” he asks, not taking his eyes off my black 2001 Honda Civic.

Yeah, it’s missing half a bumper, and the handle on the back door is long gone. But it does the job. “Yeah, Shirley gets me where I need to go.”

His head turns slightly, but every muscle in his back is coiled tight. “You named your car, Shirley?”

“Yes,” I say, clasping my hands together in front of me as I rock back on my heels.

Hannah does her best to keep her laugh quiet, but I feel it, considering her arm is still wrapped around me.

“Does Shirley even start on the first try?” He asks, head turning back to the car.

I gasp, rushing to lay my chest against the side of the door. “It’s okay, girl, he didn’t mean it.”

Hannah loses the battle to keep her laugh at bay. Her head falls back, and the loudest cackle I’ve ever heard tumbles from such a tiny woman.

“Unbelievable,” Markus says, his eyes now trained on the rust that surrounds the keyhole.

Feeling rather defensive of the first car I’ve ever purchased on my own, I step directly into his line of sight. “I’m sorry, not all of us have screw you money.” My arms cross over my chest, foot tapping against the ground, unsure if standing up to this man was the smartest move.

I hate that the words came out so sharp. I hate even more that part of me is waiting for him to make me the punchline of a joke, the way other men have over my life decisions.

“My question had nothing to do with money and everything to do with the fact that this thing looks seconds from kicking the bucket. Then you’d be stranded somewhere.” His tongue peeks out, moving his lip ring back and forth for a second before he brings one massive hand up to rub the back of his neck. His eyes burn as he glares down at me like it’s a crime that I don’t drive a car that meets his standards.

“And why does that concern you?” I lob back, unsure why he’s even thinking about my safety. But apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. Because he immediately straightens, and his eyes move to Scarlett, who joined us on the front lawn.

She nods, but his jaw just tightens. The muscles in his neck pop, hands fisting at his sides, before he turns and walks to his truck. It’s an older Ford F-150, one that certainly doesn’t match the man who drives it. He’s got to have another car, right? He just brought this one because there’s dirt and mud on the ranch.

The door slams behind him, the sound making me jump with its finality. What is it with me and making this man run away? Why can I never say the right thing to him? Pulling the keys from my crossbody bag, I miss the hole a few times due to how bad my hands are shaking.

“It’s not you, Kait,” Scarlett says, taking my keys and unlocking the door for me.

“He’s going through a lot,” she whispers low enough for only me to hear. “He’ll share it when he’s ready. But don’t take it personally. It’s… heavy. Even for a man as strong as he is.”

I nod like I understand, even though the truth is I don’t. How do I navigate it? Do I pretend it doesn’t exist? Do I even try to be friends with the guy, or do I just exist peacefully in proximity?

She steps back, handing me my keys, and says, “I’m really glad you came today. Next week, we’re at the Wilders’ house. You coming?”

My hand closes around the keys, the bag of food heavier than it was moments ago, hangs in the other. “Yeah, sure.” I turn toward Hannah as I pull open the door. “Just text me the address.”

“Don’t worry.” Hannah smiles. “You’ll be in the girls' group chat by the end of the night.”

It should make me happy that I’m being invited, accepted, and basically asked to stay. But it doesn’t, instead it fills me with dread that one wrong word and I’ll be tossed to the curb. What if I accidentally hurt someone’s feelings?

But what if you don’t, Kait? What if they’re the people you were always meant to find? The ones your mom told you would love you for who you are, not judge you for what you’ve been through.

“Okay.” I nod, my grip on the bag tightening just a bit. “Sounds good.”

I slide into my car, quickly putting the keys in the ignition and pulling away before I can think myself out of something good. The air conditioning doesn’t work, and honestly, it doesn’t start half the time. But it’s mine, and I worked hard to build a life no one else could take credit for. So until she decides to literally kick the bucket, I’ll defend her honor.

My fingers drum against the steering wheel as I pull onto the highway, the air flowing through the windows whips my hair in every direction. One hand hangs out, rolling through the wind like a wave. A lightness takes over, like a weight has been lifted just by being around other people.

Yeah, people come into the store, but they come for books, not me. Tonight? Tonight I was not only invited, but invited back. A laugh bubbles up from my chest, bright and airy, while tears burn at the corner of my eyes.