Page 58 of A Little Jaded
With a slow blink, I try to catch up with the topic change, but I’m only left reeling. “I-I never said he was stupid.”
“You’re treating him like he is. Sweeping your split lip under the rug won’t fly with him.”
“I’m not sure how else you would’ve liked me to handle?—”
His scoff cuts me off as he faces me fully. “You could’ve started by defending me instead of letting him think I hit you.”
My jaw drops. “He doesn’t think?—”
“It’s exactly what he thinks.” He scrubs his face again, lets his heavy hand fall to his thigh, and rests his head against the headrest. “I’m still trying to figure out how he let you leave with me.”
Now that he mentions it, it’s a good question. One I don’t fully understand, either. Why did my dad let me go with him? I mean, I’m an adult, so it’s not like he can physically keep me locked up at Etch ‘N’ Ink, but still. If he really believes Everett’s the one who hit me, I’m surprised Everett isn’t in a body bag.
Nibbling on the edge of my thumb, I murmur the only plausible possibility. “He’s probably scared I’ll ghost him again. I’m not exactly proud of it, but…it’s what I’ve been doing for months now.”
As my words hang in the air, Everett pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. “Did your dad know about Drake?”
Staring down at my hands in my lap, I try to ignore the shame accompanying his question. “Yes and no. It was one of the things I argued with my dad about most. I mentioned I was dating someone, my dad asked to meet him, Drake said he wanted nothing to do with my family, and round and round we went.”
“I introduced myself as Everett.” He sounds so…detached. Unable to hide my curiosity, I peek up at him only to find him looking as defeated as before. “Not sure if it’s gonna mess with your lie,” he adds, “but…”
Shit.
“It’s fine,” I whisper. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Whatever you say, Raine.” Running his tongue between his upper teeth and top lip, he finally reaches for the door handle and heads inside without a backward glance. But the relief I was expecting? Yeah, it’s absent. Instead, all I’m left with is silence, which kills me. The way it burrows under my skin and leaves me itchy and uncomfortable. He’s hurt or frustrated or…something, and I don’t like it.
Without giving myself time to overthink things, I rush after him, desperate to fix this. Whatever’s bothering him. Whatever I did to reinforce his need to shut me out and keep his distance from me.
“I’m sorry,” I call out.
He slips his shoes off in the mudroom but doesn’t answer me. The door to the house closes behind him, leaving me alone in the dark garage.
With a twist of my wrist, I push the door open again and continue. “I really am. I’m sorry.”
“And what are you sorry for, Raine?” he demands.
Wiping my sweaty palms against my jeans, I try not to cower from his penetrating gaze and the accusation in it. “I didn’t defend you. I was so blindsided by you being in the shop I kind of…froze. And I know it’s no excuse, but I promise I’ll talk with my dad at my next shift. Make sure he knows you had nothing to do with”—I wave my hand around my face, motioning to my swollen lip—“this.”
A dry, gruff laugh escapes him. “Yeah, I’m sure he’ll believe you, too.”
“Seriously, Ev,” I grab his shirt sleeve to keep him from escaping down the hall despite it being my own game plan until he brought up his conversation with my dad. “I’m sorry. I really am. I know how shitty it must feel to be looked at like you’d hit me when I know you’d never cross that line, but?—”
“Do you know I’d never hit you?” he challenges. His attention falls to where I’m touching him.
Shit. I would’ve never touched Drake like this. Not when we’re in the thick of an argument. Not that I’m arguing with Everett or anything, but still.
“Answer the question, Storm,” he pushes.
I hesitate and let him go. “What?”
“I want to know.” He turns those icy blue eyes on me. “You said you know I’d never cross that line. Do you?”
Looking down at his sock-clad feet, I whisper, “Honestly?”
He moves closer and nudges my chin up with his knuckle, silently calling me out for being too much of a coward to look him in the eye as I consider his question and all it entails.
When I meet his gaze again, my abdomen tightens with anticipation.