Page 88 of Taking What's Ours
My fingers curl around the doorknob and I yank it open just as I hear her yell, “That bitch is trying to get away! She broke my goddamn nose.”
All eyes shift to me. Lola slides me a little thumbs-up and a wink. Then my gaze drifts to Baja before I shove through the door and into the brisk night.
I only make it halfway across the lot before I hear the crunching of gravel behind me.
“Elaina, wait.”
I don’t slow, except for the fact that high heels and gravel don’t mix. Damn shoes. I’m tempted to yank them off. A brisk wind ruffles the sheer fabric that hangs from the elaborate leather waist of my costume, and a chill creeps over my skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps.
Baja catches up to me but doesn’t move to stop me. Instead, he keeps pace alongside me. “Elaina, talk to me. What the hell happened back there?”
“What do you think?” I whirl on him, and I know he can read on my face exactly what caused the catfight.
“We talked about this. Desiree and I used to fool around, but I’m not with her anymore.”
“She seems to think you’ll be—what did she say?” I tap my finger on my chin. “‘Moaning her name again soon.’”
“That’s bullshit. I’ve never had any feelings for her. She was just a good fuck when I needed one. That’s it.”
It’s cold and I shiver, rubbing my upper arms. This is the last way I saw this night ending.
Baja shrugs out of his pirate coat and wraps it around me. “Here. It’s freezing. You’ll catch cold.”
If I wasn’t shivering, I’d throw it back at him.
“Look, I don’t know what she told you, but I’m not interested in her. I swear it, babe.”
“Don’t call me babe. How many times have you been with her?”
“Elaina, she means nothing.”
“Is that how it’s going to be?” I fling an arm toward the clubhouse. “Every time I walk into a party, some skank is going to corner me in the restroom and tell me all about how you two used to fuck? No thanks.” I shove him off and start walking.
“I’ve got a past, Elaina.” He grabs my arm. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
“No.”
“Yes.” He puts a shoulder to my stomach and hefts me up and over, then carries me to his truck.
I hit his back. “Stop it.”
“We’re going home before you freeze to death.” He flings the passenger door open, sets me in, and clicks my seatbelt. I let out a huff, fold my arms, and refuse to speak to him.
While he’s rounding the hood to the driver’s side, the girls flood out the front door.
Baja climbs in, fires up the engine, and turns on the heat.
I power the window down.
“You okay, honey?” Lola asks.
I nod. “Thanks for everything.”
Kate cups her hands around her mouth and shouts in a whisper. “Good job on Desiree. None of us like her. Thanks for doing what we’ve all longed to do.”
“Think she just proved she’s ol’ lady material, Baja!” Isabella calls out.
I try to hide my small smile, averting my head so he doesn’t see it. I’m still pissed at him.