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Chase chuckles, giving me another round of sympathy shoulder pats. “Got it. See ya.”
The party’s died down. Everyone left—everyone but the drunk little spitfire across the fire pit. She keeps giggling at something her friend’s saying. I don’t know why I’m torturing myself by sitting here, listening to her. I should get up and go the hell home.
“Hey, we’re takin’ off.”
I look over my shoulder at Levi and Hannah. “Cool. See ya.”
“You good? You need a ride?”
“No. Stopped drinking a while ago.”
Levi gives me thewhy are you still herelook. Another giggle travels over from across the fire. “Don’t,” I snap, not needing his input.
“Wasn’t gonna. See you at Jimmy’s for the games. Don’t be late. It’s your turn to pay.” He slaps me on the shoulder and goes over to Hannah, who’s saying her goodbyes to Makayla.
“You really shouldn’t drive. We can take you home—”
“No, I’m fine,” she slurs.
“Trust me, it’s not a big deal. Let us take you home—”
“I’ve got it.” I jump up from my chair. “I’ll take her home. It’s on the way.”It’s in the opposite direction.Hannah and Levi stare at me knowingly.
“I’m okay to drive. Especially—”
“It’s an innocent ride. We don’t even have to talk.” Even though I want nothing more than to drill her with every question that’s been swarming inside me since she came back into my life. “And we both know you’re not okay to drive.”
I almost look down for holes in my shirt from the daggers she shoots my way. “IsaidI’m—”
Her friend cuts her off. “Sure, that’d be great. Makayla, it’s fine. He said it. Innocent. I’m getting tired anyway. Shotgun!”
She pops up, missing the glare on Makayla’s face. I wait for her to stand, not wanting to push her. The last thing I want is another battle. “You good to stand?” I reach out to take her hand, but Makayla bats it away.
“I’mfine.” She gets up. Wobbly on her feet, she sways to the side. I go to help her, but she throws her arm out. “I said I’m fine.”
“Sure, whatever.” I wait for her to get close so I can walk next to her in case she needs me, then fall in step beside her. We don’t speak, which is fine. The electricity between us does the talking. I shove my hands in my pockets to refrain from reaching out to her, and we head out to my Jeep.
“Ben, which car is yours?” Her friend slithers her hand around my bicep, pulling me to her. I steal a quick glance at Makayla, and that look returns.
“Uh, the Jeep. Right here.”
“Nice!” I want to stop Makayla and ask her what’s wrong. I know her angry looks. This one is different. “It’s pretty high. Can you help me up?”
I look at my car, confused. “Uh. . . yeah. Sure.” I open the door and help her into the normal-sized vehicle. Makayla pushes past us, opens the back passenger side door, and climbs in, slamming it shut.
What the fuck. . .?
The drive home is painful. Her friend won’t stop talking. And I can’t stop looking in my rearview mirror every other second. When I look again, I finally catch her gaze, but she tears her eyes away to stare out the window. By the time I pull into her driveway, I can’t wait to get rid of the chatty mouth and have a moment alone with her. I need to know what’s going on in her head.
“Thanks for the ride. If you’re up for a nightcap, I live just next door.”
Makayla keeps walking. My eyes follow her as she storms up to her door.
“Yeah, no. I’m good. Have a good night.” Dismissing Jenny, I follow Makayla to her door.
“Yeah, okay! Next time. Night, Mak!”
Makayla is jamming her key into the door when I come up behind her. “Can we talk?”
