When I arrive, I’m relieved to see his sled parked under the overhang beside a large pillar.
I turn off the engine, pull out the key, and drop it in my pocket.
My eyes immediately land on the open trap door to the tunnels and unease brews again. Last time I was dumb enough to go down there, Jagger and I got locked in. Instead of heading down the ladder, I stick my face in the hole and shout, “Neo!”
The next thing I know, I’m being pulled back, screaming as loud as I can. “Let me go!” Like a rag doll, I’m tossed aside. My shoulder crushing against the concrete pillar before I collapse to the ground.
Neo stands there, scowling at me. He’s sporting a swollen eye, similar to Jagger’s, and a busted lip that still has fresh blood seeping from it. With a black beanie on his head, a leather jacket, and boots to match, he stands tall and unaffected by my presence. “Why the hell are you here?”
I pick myself up off the ground and punch him hard in the shoulder. “Asshole!”
“Bitch!” he snaps back.
“So what if I am?”
“Oh, I know you are. And a stupid bitch at that. Are you insane coming out here by yourself?”
I roll my eyes at him, not responding because I am insane for coming out here by myself.
“I take it Crew and Jagger don’t know you left?” He tips his head to Jagger’s sled. “Or that you stole a ride?”
“Nope,” I pop the P. “Because for the first time in a while, I’m making a decision for myself.”
“You realize it’s a stupid decision, right?”
“I do.” I blink a few times, looking up at the clear sky. “But I had to try.”
“All right,” he waves his hand over the opening to the tunnels, “go on down. You wanna get yourself trapped again? I won't stop you.”
“I didn’t come here for the tunnels.”I take a step toward him. “I came here for you.”
“Whoa.” Hands fly up. “Not interested.”
Damn. That was harsh.
I shake away the ego-stomping words. “I came here totalkto you.”
“Again. Not interested.” As he spins around, I grab the sleeve of his leather jacket, suddenly remembering how his hands felt around my throat last night, and once again, realizing how much of an idiot I am. Still, it doesn’t stop me.
He shakes me away with a growl. “Hands off, homewrecker.”
“Wouldyou drop the asshole act and just listen to me?”
“Trust me, baby. It’s not an act.”
“Ugh,” I snarl. “Please don't call me that again. It’s appalling coming from you.”
“And yet, I’m the asshole?”
I click my tongue, raising my shoulders.
“Go back to school, Scar.” He starts walking toward his sled again, but I jump in front of him.
“Not until we hash this out. All of it!”
He sits down on his sled, hand in the front pocket of his jeans, one leg extended, the other bent. “Fine. Talk. Doesn’t mean I’ll respond.”
“I didn't push Maddie.”