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After seconds of silently staring at me, she finally says, “Thank you.”
And I reply, “You’re welcome.”
“Nice save, by the way.” She starts back toward where we’d been working, and, over her shoulder, she adds, “Should’ve done that on Friday night. Maybe if you were always that quick on your feet, you wouldn’t have choked so badly.”
My eyes narrow, aimed at her retreating back. “You’re mean.”
“No,” she says, facing me with a smirk that has every single muscle in my body loosening, my lungs expanding, and my smile widening. “I’mchallengingyou.”
I laugh. “Game on, Grandma.”
“Kids!” Esme calls out, opening the back door, “someone’s here to see you!”
Jamie
At the sight of Dean standing next to Esme, my breath falters, and it’s loud enough that Holden notices. He also notices the way I step closer to him as ifhe’ssomehow going to protect me from the raging storm I’m suddenly caught in. “You good?” he asks low enough that only I can hear him.
With a nod, I try to shake off the nervous energy causing goose bumps across my flesh. It’s different having to deal with Dean at school. Multiple exits make it easy to avoid him, spit a few heated words in his direction, and then carry on with my day as if Dean Griffith doesn’t exist. At least physically. But in my mind, he’s there, and those thoughts of him are a constant gray cloud looming over me, watching me,judgingme.
“What’s up?” Holden calls out, somehow blocking Dean from my view completely. I pretend to focus on the work I’d been doing while simultaneously trying to level my breathing.
“One of the other teams needs someone with a truck, so I’m letting you loose,” Dean answers, and he’s closer now, only feet away.
“Youhavea truck,” Holden retorts.
Dean makes a hissing sound. “Yeah, the other team is Bethany, and she sure as hell doesn’t want me there.”
My jaw tenses, while Holden says, “I fail to see how that’s my problem.” There’s a bite in his tone, and I don’t quite understand where it’s coming from.
“Look, my dad’s there waiting to help you lift some furniture, so…” So, Holden has no out, no real reason not to go.
“You couldn’t have called with this? Sent a text?” Holden soundsoutraged. “You didn’t have to show up here.”
Dean’s quiet for so long my curiosity gets the better of me, and I look over my shoulder at him. He’s already watching me; his lips turned down at the sides. “I figured Jamie would need a ride home.”
I start to protest, but Holden beats me to it. “Jamie’s coming with me.”
“You have a two-seater, and Bethany will need to go with you to sign off on some shit,” Dean replies. He seems to have an answer for everything. “I suppose Jamie and Bethany could share a seat?”
“No,” I cut in, my eyes pleading with Holden. “You can go. I’ll be fine.”
Holden lowers his head, shaking it. “This is bullshit, Dean. Obviously, she doesn’t want to ride with you.”
“When did you suddenly become an expert on what she wants?” he accuses.
“Whenyoupaired us together, or did you forget about that?”
“Shut the fuck up, Holden,” Dean sneers.
My head spins, trying to catch up with their back and forth.
“Betweenus?” Holden almost shouts. “The fact you’re here proves otherwise.”
“Dude, what the hell are you doing?”
“You didn’t want her, but you don’t want anyone else to have her, right?” He scoffs. “I’m taking her with me,” Holden says, adamant. “She can stay in my truck, and Bethany can drive herself.”
Dean ispissed.“What do you think I’m going to do to her? She’ll be fine.”
