AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well boys, this sleepover’s been super fun, but it’s time for me to say goodbye and move on to way more fun things.” I toss them all a grin and pull open the door, doing what I do best—being the epitome of calm even when I’m stuck in the middle of a raging ocean.
But Blaise captures my elbow.
I groan, my head bobbing back. “Seriously, dude, what is with you and grabbing me?”
He glances at his brothers, who are watching the scene with intrigue, then he guides me over to the side into a washroom covered in piles of dirty laundry and lowers his voice, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to drive yourself to school today.”
“I’ll be fine.” I give his arm a reassuring pat, pretending like the way his breath tickles my skin doesn’t make me want to shiver. “It’s just school. Nothing’s going to happen there.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” he mumbles. “And besides, your car’s parked in the driveway, right by the other car in question.”
Dammit, he has a point, but still…
“I need to drive this morning,” I gripe. “It’s how I alleviate tension and deal with stress. If I don’t, then I’m going to be a jittery, evil bitch all day.”
I half-expect him to say something like:aren’t you already?Instead, he moves back with his face set in deep contemplation and says, “Maybe you could drive one of our cars to school then?”
As much as I love the idea of driving Rhyland’s GTO, I can’t accept Blaise’s offer. For one, Rhyland probably wouldn’t be cool with me driving his car—I wouldn’t if the roles were reversed. And secondly, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable driving Rhyland’s car the way I need to drive right now.
“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t accept it.” I inch away from him, but he keeps his hand on my elbow. “Blaise.” I fight to remain cool. “You have to let me get to school. I’ll be fine driving.”
“It’s not the driving part I’m worried about. It’s you getting your car out of the driveway,” he whispers. “Whoever’s in there is going to get out and talk to you.” He leans back, his gaze colliding with mine, his brows arched. “Are you ready to handle that?”
No. “Yes.”
“Liar.” He rubs his lips together, worry creasing his brow. “If you really need to drive your car, I’ll go get it.”
I elevate my brows. “You want to drive my car? Seriously?”
He gives me a tolerant look. “Just to my house.”
“But you’ll still be driving for like a minute. And I barely let Londyn drive my car unless it’s necessary. And she’s my sister, so …”
“Hadley.” He’s a mixture of being frustrated and amused. “You don’t want to have to deal with those guys. Trust me. So, if you’ll please trust me enough to drive your car for like fifty feet, then we can go to school, I’ll call my dad, and then we’ll figure something out.”
“You think calling your dad will get them to leave?” I question in doubt.
“If they’re his men, then yes.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Then…” he huffs out an exasperated breath, stepping back and yanking his fingers through his hair. “Look, I don’t have all the answers right now, okay? But I am trying to help you, so if you’d just let me, I’d really appreciate it.” I bite down on my lip, struggling not to smile. He totally notices and shakes his head. “You think my frustration is funny?”
“No. But it is sort of funny that you’re frustrated, yet you managed to politely ask me to let you help me. Really, it should be the other way around.”
And I’m right. And I know this is the point where I should start accepting his help gratefully and showering him with thank yous, but his kindness makes me uncomfortable. Honestly, as twisted as this is going to make me sound, I feel more at ease when we’re arguing than when we’re being nice to each other. But I guess, if I go by Rhyland’s theory, that’d mean I’m comfortable when Blaise and I are flirting.
No, I’m so not ready to go there right now.
Dropkicking that thought into the back of my mind, I decide to do something I never thought I’d ever do. I stick my hand into my pocket, fish out my car keys, and offer them to Blaise. “Just don’t wreck it.”
I turn my head away and squeeze my eyes shut as he reaches to take the keys.
“Is this really that big of a deal?” he questions, his fingers brushing my palm.
“Yes,” I reply shamelessly. “That car is almost as important to me as my sisters.” And not just because I love cars. No, the car is so much more than that. It was one of my mom’s cars. We were supposed to fix it up together. And while this may sound crazy, I feel connected to her when I drive it.
But I’m not about to divulge all of that to Blaise.
