“Uh huh,” I grunt as I watch him climb out of my R8. He stops and turns back around. “Are you coming back to my place tonight?”
“I think I might,” I tell him. “Besides, I need to kick Jesse’s ass for breaking into my locker.”
At that, Nate nods and pulls himself the rest of the way out. A moment before he closes the door, he bends down to look at me. His eyes sparkle as he smirks at me with mischief written all over his face, a look I’m finding looks really good on him. “Who do you think gave him the combination?” he says, closing the door and dropping into his Camaro.
I should have known. I can’t help but grin to myself as I take off like a bat out of hell. I peel out of the old parking lot and I find myself looking up into my rearview mirror and watching as Nate follows right behind me.
He usually drives a whole lot faster but he doesn’t move out from behind me, not until I pull up at a red light. He brings his car to a stop right beside me and I grin across at him before revving my engine, a taunt that says I’m more than prepared to whoop his ass.
A smile cuts across his face before he laughs to himself while making my heart do flips inside my chest.
A second later, the light turns green and Nate takes off, calling my bluff. His wheels squeal against the road and I watch in shock as he takes off like he’s in one of the ‘Fast and Furious’ movies, and I have to say, I’m mighty impressed and maybe just a little turned on.
Holy crap. I need to learn how to do that.
I take off at the green light like a regular human and find myself approaching the school. There’s still another hour until school lets out for the day. I’ve never ditched class before and I hate the thought of getting in trouble, yet, for some reason, I just keep driving, wanting nothing more than to go back to Nate’s place as right now, I’m reminded of the old Nate, not the asshole he later became.
Besides, I can either chill out at Nate’s place or try to avoid having Josh and Elle put their atrocious plan into place.
I keep myself driving and pull into their long ass driveway, pleased that Nate left the gate open. I find Nate’s car pulled up by the front door and I bring my Audi to a stop beside it.
I reach across for my handbag when I realize I left it in Nate’s car earlier. I get out of my car and look through the window of the Camaro, only to find it’s not there. My eyebrows furrow. I couldn’t have left it at school.
With a shrug, I walk up the stairs and into their home to find my handbag sitting on the hallway table. My heart skips realizing that he brought it in for me and I feel… giddy.
I grab it and walk deeper into the house. I don’t see him anywhere but I expect that he’s in his room. so, I head for the den.
I flick on a movie and pull my phone out of my bag. I hit the screen to find a few texts from Brooke.
Brooke – WTF! Where did you go?
Brooke – HELLO????? Tora! Are you alive? Did Jesse take you away to steal your virtue and make lots of sexy Ryder babies?
Brooke – Holy crap, Batman! You just got in Nate’s car. You’re ditching! I never thought I’d see the day. I’m so proud of you, though I’m kind of jealous. You better spill the beans, I want all the details. Where is Mr. Broody taking you?
Brooke – I hate you! You suck at this!
I laugh as I read through her texts and decide I should probably let her know I’m still alive and that the broody asshole didn’t try to humiliate me in some twisted way like he usually does.
Tora – Still alive!
Brooke – Ummm….. I think you owe me a better explanation than that.
I grin down at my phone before hashing out a reply.
Tora – The devil wanted to teach me how to drive.
Brooke – Bullshit. Are you lying right now?
Tora – No, seriously. He took me to the old mall and taught me how to drive a stick.
Brooke – Ok, now I know you’re lying. I’ll call after class.
Tora – Ok. Love you xx
I throw my phone down on the couch beside me and put my feet up as I allow myself to get lost in the movie. This feels good. If this is what ditching is always like, then sign me up for some more. I could get used to this.
Twenty minutes later, my eyes are wide as I focus every ounce of my being on the screen as the girl in the movie walks towards the closet door which has something waiting for her on the other side. My heart races, terrified of what’s going to happen. “no, no, no,” I chant, shaing my head. “Don’t open the door.” Please, please, please don’t open the door.