“Car,” I mumble.
“Get in.” He’s not asking. “I’ll drive you.”
Thank you, Jesus.
“Are you sure?” I pretend to hesitate when inside I’m weeping tears of joy. I couldn’t care less that he banged his girl’s best friend the day they broke up right now. I’m way too scared of the things that go bump in the night to turn down his offer.
Truth is, this isn’t the best part of town. Theo’s house is the nicest, most decent home on the block. Granted, we live in a relatively safe place, but the little crime that happens in Silver Springs usually happens around here.
“Vee, I’m not waking up to the news that your body was found in a dumpster. Get in the damn truck.” When I don’t reply fast enough, Xavier adds, “Unless you want me driving next to you like this the entire time.”
A chuckle rips from my throat.
As crazy as it may sound, I don’t think he’s bluffing.
He’d actually do it.
“Thanks.” I crack a shy smile and use the truck’s step to climb into his passenger seat.
“Where to?” He pumps the gas as soon as I’ve buckled up.
I give him my address, and he nods, knowing what part of town I’m referring to. We drive in silence for over ten minutes. The memory of Dia saying Xavier had gone out to get booze crosses my mind halfway to my house, and I search the car for evidence.
Nothing in the front.
Nothing in the back.
Maybe it’s in the trunk?
Might as well make conversation.
“Didn’t you go buy booze?” I ask.
“Nah.” He shrugs. “I just said that to get out of there. I needed a break.”
The fact that he’d prefer sitting in his car by himself than partying with his friends makes me think he didn’t read the jock manual correctly.
“What about you? What’s your excuse for leaving so early?”
“More like what’s my excuse for coming at all,” I mutter.
He nods in understanding. “Not your scene, huh?”
“What are you talking about? I throw ragers like these every weekend,” I joke, and his lips tip into a smile.
“And you never invited me?” He gasps.
I swallow a chuckle.
“I would, but I’m scared you’d just end up hiding in your car the whole time.”
He laughs.
It’s just a laugh. Like so many other laughs. I’ve heard guys laugh a million times before. But his laugh feels warm. Like a soft blanket. It resonates through my body, fuels that thing in my chest, gives it an extra beat. A squeeze. I may dislike a few things about Xavier Emery…
But I love his laugh.
If there was a laugh competition, he’d win.