I’d never been knocked down before.
Clint makes you weak.
Ain’t that the fucking truth.
We didn’t stop running until we got to his bike. He tossed me a helmet and I slid behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I tried to ignore how wonderful it felt as he cranked up the engine. And just as the police were speeding into the back of the school, we sped out of the front.
“Hold on. We’re gonna take these corners a bit sharp.”
I wrapped my good hand into his leather jacket and let my hurt wrist fall between his legs. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths of the wind as it swirled around our bodies. It felt like I was inches away from the asphalt as he careened out of the parking lot. It felt like we were breaking the sound barrier as we sped off into the distance. Even with my eyes closed, I knew where we were headed. I had the turns and directions memorized.
And when the stench of my neighborhood wafted under my nose, I felt my stomach clench.
I sighed as Clint pulled into my driveway. He put his kickstand down and turned off his engine, but he didn’t move. I rested against the breadth of his strong back. I felt tired. Anxious. And yet, happy.
Happy to be against him again.
“Why are you such an idiot?” I whispered.
Clint cleared his throat. “Your mom home?”
I shook my head. “She’s out putting in job applications.”
“Good for her. Let’s get you inside, then.”
“You’re coming with me?”
“I’m sure as hell not leaving you in this condition, no.”
He slipped off the bike, then eased the helmet off my head. He smoothed my hair down around my face, then tucked some loose strands behind my ear. His touch ignited a fire in my gut. I didn’t even understand how much I’d missed it until I felt it again. I let out a soft sigh, wishing for nothing more than his palm against my cheek.
But he pulled his hand away before he caved to the temptation.
“You need help?”
I scoffed. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“Just a question, Rae.”
“And a dumb one, at that. I can hold my own, Clint. Despite the fact that that douchebag knocked me off my feet.”
“I should’ve killed him for that.”
“And spend the rest of your life in jail? Nice.”
“Does anything ever make you happy?”
I planted myself on my feet in the driveway before my eyes met his.
“Yeah. I’ve got plenty that makes me happy. But bullshit boys and their stupid fights don’t happen to be one of them.”
I turned on my heel and made my way for the porch, figuring he’d leave, drive off into the distance and never come back. So imagine my surprise when he stayed behin
d me, following me into the house. He closed the door behind us as I made my way to the couch. I watched as he found his way into the kitchen, and I wondered what he was doing. I started to stand up to go find out, but he must have heard me.
“Stay there, Rae. I’m coming with ice.”
I leaned back into the couch with a sigh before I winced. I felt like utter shit. Clint came around the corner and sat down beside me. He reached for my wrist and slowly molded the ice pack to it. I watched him work, his bruised eye trained on my swelling skin. He helped me lean up before he slid my shirt up again, taking stock of the small wound on my back. And when his fingertips fell against the dried blood, I flinched.