I know he saw the message when the Read receipt pops up on my screen, but he doesn’t reply. I try Aveena and Jesse a few times, but neither picks up.
Crap, do I call my dads?
If they drop me off at the house and find out I live with a boy, I’m done for. Before I know it, ten minutes have flown by. Lexie slows down as we struggle up a steep hill, her panting becoming more obvious and shallow.
Screw it, I’m calling my dads.
A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead as I unlock my phone to dial my dad’s number. Only, a car turns the corner with a loud screech before I can press Call.
I recognize him instantly.
He honks at us the moment he notices us, slowing down by our side, then stopping completely. He rolls his window down and unlocks the doors with a click of a button.
“Get in.” Finn gestures with his chin, and as annoyed as I’ve been with him lately, I’ve never been happier to see him.
Is that why he didn’t message me back earlier? Because he got into his car as soon as I told him we were dying in the heat?
I don’t think twice, swinging the back door open and helping Lexie onto the back seat. I climb into Finn’s passenger seat next and buckle up.
“Did you just drive around the whole town to find us?” I question as he pumps the gas.
“Lexie has a GPS tracker in her collar.” Finn shrugs, his tattooed bicep all I can see as he grips the wheel with one arm.
“Oh.” I nod. “Thanks, anyway.”
“Didn’t do it for you,” he says dryly.
If I had a dollar for every time this guy goes out of his way to remind me he doesn’t care, I might be able to buy him a conscience.
“Whatever,” I mutter and stare out the window, still sweating my ass off. Finn’s scorching leather seats aren’t exactly helping. “Can you turn on the AC?”
“Already have.”
“It’s not working,” I spit. If he’s going to be an asshole to me, I might as well be one, too. I attempt to open my window, but Finn’s locked them all from his side.
“Unlock the windows,” I command.
“The AC’s going to kick in. Just give it a minute,” Finn argues, but I can’t take another second of this heat.
“For fuck’s sake,” I huff and unbuckle my seat belt.
I’m leaning over him before he can react, my breasts grazing his arm. I hear his breath catch in his throat, but he doesn’t push me off.
I can’t believe my own actions when I brace my hand on his thigh, not too far from his crotch, acting like I don’t realize what I’m doing. I stretch out my arm and unlock the windows myself.
I notice his grip on the steering wheel tightening as I pull away.
I knew it.
He feels it, too.
And he can pretend he doesn’t remember that night in the wine cellar all he wants, but his body hasn’t forgotten.
Peeling my hand off his leg, I slouch back into my seat and buckle up. I open the window to enjoy the breeze, and to my surprise, Finn doesn’t say anything.
Not one word.
A few minutes tick by before I gather the courage to speak again.