AFTER DROPPING OFF BRACE AND SIMON at a local hangout diner, I moved back to my original seat, seeing no logical reason to stay in Michael’s lap. Even though the last thing I wanted to do was leave him.
Unfortunately, I was more afraid he’d have to ask me to hop off, and then I’d be embarrassed that he was forced to ask.
Michael took over driving again, and we cruised back through his and my neighborhood parking alongside the dark, quiet road about a mile from my house. We sat outside a huge iron gate, and I gazed at the tall stone wall, knowing it was the mayor’s house on the other side.
Thunder Bay was a small community, maybe twenty thousand people, not counting the students who commuted from surrounding areas to attend Thunder Bay Prep. Our mayor had held his position for a long time, and as rarely as things changed in our town, it made sense why.
Damon had left the car over half an hour ago as we all sat there with the engine running and the heat on, and I was trying very hard not to ask questions. Like, why were we waiting here? What was he doing in there? And, if it was something bad, should we just wait here like sitting ducks knowing the police might already be on their way?
Of course, several police officers were held up with the fire we’d distracted them with on the other side of town, but there were still a few left in the area.
“Here he comes.”
Kai peered out Michael’s window, and I followed his gaze, seeing Damon hop from a tree on the other side of the stone wall and immediately drop feet first to the ground.
He pulled on his hood and jogged to the car, opening Will’s side and laughing as he crawled over his friend’s legs and fell into his seat in the back.
His cold sweatshirt brushed my cheek, but instead of the cigarette smoke I usually smelled on him, it was a subtle perfume.
“How was she?” Will asked Damon over his shoulder.
“Tasted better than a Popsicle.”
I twisted up my lips. Really? We’d been waiting on him this whole time so he could get
laid?
Over the years, I’d gauged that the guys definitely loved women, and they didn’t hide it.
Being who they were and wielding the power they did, it was never hard to find girls up for a good time, and although I hated to accidentally overhear their comments and discussions and the crude way they talked about various conquests, I also kind of envied their freedom to do as they pleased without judgment.
Would they wait on me if I wanted to go get laid? Would they pat me on the back and ask me how it was?
No, they wouldn’t.
They—or at least Will and Damon—would expect me to be a virgin, only to open my legs for them, and then not whine and cry when they never called me again.
And unfortunately, Michael was very much like Damon.
Never any girlfriends, never any commitment, and never any expectations. The only difference was Michael didn’t talk about his dirty deeds. Damon made sure everyone knew.
“You guys could’ve come up,” Damon suggested. “You like pussy, Rika?”
Anger heated my skin. I pulled my seatbelt back on, not looking at him as I answered. “I’d take one to bed before your dick.”
Will snorted, hunching over, and I heard Kai’s quiet laugh in the passenger’s seat in front. Michael made no move.
But a chill fell on the right side of my face, and I knew Damon was glaring at me.
“So who was it then?” I asked, ignoring his temper.
“Mayor’s wife,” Will answered. “Trophy bitch, but oh so nice.”
Jesus. An older, married woman? Damon had no limits.
“Actually, she wasn’t home,” Damon cut in.
Will and I jerked our heads around, confused. “So who were you with then?” Will shot out.