I snigger realizing she was probably about to say boy before she thought better of it.
“He’s nice. At least he likes me.”
She folds her arms across her chest, which I always try my hardest not to look at, but my eyes somehow find their way back. Mara isn’t exactly small and when she crosses her arms, it kind of shoves ‘em up. I’ve seen guys’ eyes widen when they’ve been confronted with her.
Gripping the steering wheel, I say, “What’s with the comment? I like you.”
“Yeah. Right.” Now I get the shoulder toss as she stares out of her window. “If you liked me, you wouldn’t be avoiding me.”
I swallow feeling like the biggest dick around. I want her. I want her so damn much that I’ve tried to stay away from her before I take what
I want. I’m not just talking about taking her for a night; I’m talking every night. I want so much more than I’ve ever wanted before, and I want it all from her.
“I do like you, Mara.” I sigh. “I like you too much, which is why I avoid you.” I’m an idiot for telling her this, but the thought of her thinking I don’t like her is unbearable. “Don’t say anything, okay. I just wanted you to know that I don’t hate you.”
“I like you, too,” she whispers after a minute.
I groan inwardly at what her words do to me. Instead of replying, I distract myself with traffic. This is one time I wish I’d kept my mouth shut, but losing my parents kinda made me realize that you won’t always have tomorrow to say or do what you can’t be bothered with today.
When my parents died, I was lost. In fact, I don’t know what I would have done without her family. Her mom basically held me together and made sure I ate. Reece and Phoenix were around me all the time like brothers and stopped me from drowning in despair. Losing someone you love is never easy whether you know it’s about to happen or it’s a total shock.
I’d be lying if I told anyone that I’m over it because I’m not. Driving back home, knowing my mom isn’t going to be at home waiting with her apron on after baking up a storm that morning, is a pain straight to the heart. Knowing that my dad isn’t going to be bugging the shit outta me about taking the boat out with him to fish is just as painful. Sure, the conversations were boring as shit, but I’d do that everyday for the rest of my life if it meant I had him back. Had both of them back.
Chapter Five
Mara
Sensing Donovan’s mood shift, I start to look for somewhere to make a pit stop. Not only could I do with a bathroom break, but I’m also in need of another caffeine fix. The quick cup I had this morning was really too quick, not enough. At least it’s an excuse to get him to pull off the road for a bit.
I’m not sure what’s going on with him though. He seemed fine when we left, but since he admitted to liking me too much, he’s been quiet. Not the travel in silence because we’re at ease with each other, but the ‘I’m about to lose it’ silence. Pondering the tension between us, I almost yell in delight when I spot a coffee house. Not Starbucks, but right now coffee is coffee and I need to get Donovan to loosen back up. So with that in mind, I point out the window and say, “Let’s pull over and grab some coffee.”
He glances at me from the corner of his eye as he starts to indicate he’s pulling over.
Why am I nervous now? I shouldn’t be nervous with him but I am. It’s always there, the attraction, just under the surface. I’m nervous with him off and on whenever he’s around. Brooding, which he’s doing right now, makes it worse. It definitely isn’t helping to calm me down any.
Pulling into a parking slot, Donovan turns the ignition off and just sits staring out of the window. With a sigh, I open the door. Jumping out, I take a second to enjoy stretching my legs—it feels so good. Closing my eyes, I lift my face to the sun, and let the rays soak into my skin for a few minutes before I feel eyes on me.
Looking around, not too far away, I spot a guy who looks to fill his jeans and shirt pretty well staring at me. When he catches my gaze, he winks and starts walking towards me, but pauses mid-step. Catching movement beside me, I turn and see Donovan resting with his back against the truck staring the guy down.
I feel like kicking him.
I’ll show him.
Turning back to the guy, I give him my megawatt smile, which gets him moving towards me again. He stops in front of me, and asks, “Is he your brother?”
“No.” Then I add, “He’s a friend of my brother whose been lumped with driving me home for a friend’s wedding.”
“Where’s home?” he asks shuffling closer.
“None of your business,” Donovan interrupts, glaring at the guy before he turns back to me, and says, “I thought you wanted a coffee.”
“I do,” I reply trying my best to hold eye contact with the new guy while I wonder if this is making Donovan jealous. “But I’m making a new friend.”
“What—” Donovan ends on a cuss. “Well, why don’t you let your new friend buy you a coffee while I go and take a leak?” And with that he stomps off around the side of the building.
Where the hell is he going? The restrooms are inside.
“Um. It was nice to kinda meet you, but I better go.”