“I wanted to see you.” Her voice sounded timid.
“So you tracked me out here and got in a car with a stranger?” I wasn’t mad about her finding me, but I was worried that she’d climbed into a car with Cruz. She didn’t know him, and it could’ve ended badly. If she’d tracked me, it meant I’d forgotten to turn my location off. I was lucky my parents hadn’t shown up instead.
She cringed, seeming unsure of herself as she walked towards me, confirming what I thought. “Sorry. You left your location on. I was in the Heights, and Cruz offered to give me a ride. He said he knew you.”
“What if he’d been lying, Lou? Jesus. He could’ve been anyone,” I growled, counting to three to calm myself before speaking more softly. “Try calling me next time. I would’ve picked you up. Are you alright?” I asked, her entire body relaxing at knowing I wasn’t angry. She threaded her arms around my middle and pressed her cheek against my chest, hugging me tightly.
“I am now.”
Turbo chuckled lightly, running his eyes over her. “Got yourself a girlfriend, Donovan? Wait, is this the girl from the video?”
“Fuck off, asshole.”
“That’s not a no.”.
“Mind your own business,” I bit out, hugging her tighter as she went to move back. I’d prefer him to think she was mine so he didn’t get any ideas about trying to fuck her. Just because I respected him didn’t mean I wouldn’t kill him for flirting with Luna.
“You’ve really gotta give her a stranger danger talk,” Cruz called out from his car, laughing as I flipped him off. “Good talk. My job here is done, I guess. I’d better go before the boss comes looking.”
“Thank you,” I replied tightly, hating to say it, but I was grateful it had been him who’d found her. He ran his eyes over Turbo and the others before leaving, and I knew he’d bring it up if we ran into each other again. He really didn’t like what we were doing.
Blake gave me a small wave, revving her car to get everyone’s attention. “I’m heading home. I’m spending time with Kate in the morning so I need some sleep.”
“I’ll follow you,” Reid offered, ignoring her scowl. She could be pissy all she wants, but I was glad he was making sure she got home okay after her little incident.
Once they were gone, Turbo saluted me. “I’ll leave you and your girlfriend to make out here in the dark. I’ll call you later.”
“Please, don’t call.” I smiled sweetly at him as he flipped me off before giving Luna one last glance.
“Just answer when I call you,” he replied in a droll tone.
“Eyes off, or you’ll lose them,” I snapped, letting Luna go to take a step towards him. I’d tear his head from his shoulders if he didn’t stop undressing her with his eyes.
He chuckled, putting his car into gear. “Always a pleasure, Donovan.” I watched as he drove off, leaving us alone.
I let out a sigh and took Luna’s face in my hands, my voice soft. “Are you going to tell me why you’re really here?”
“Can I stay with you tonight?” she murmured, her eyes pleading. “I just… I want to stay with you.”
It was obvious she wasn’t going to open up about whatever was on her mind, so I let it go.
“Of course you can. C’mon, it’s getting cold.” I ushered her into the passenger seat before I climbed behind the wheel. I didn’t want to sit there any longer and risk Rage or Zane showing up.
I kept an eye out for trouble the whole drive back to Ashburn Valley as we talked about school and what she’d missed while being sick, and I was surprised to walk into my house to find Mom sitting at the kitchen table.
I glanced at the time, noticing it was close to three in the morning.
“Why are you awake?” I asked, her eyes flicking between me and Luna.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she grumbled, her tired eyes running over both of us. “Where have you been?”
I figured she’d properly tracked my phone since Luna had, so I didn’t bother lying.
“Stoneleigh. I was with Turbo and Blake.”
“You took Luna?” she asked with disapproval, knowing Archer wouldn’t like it.
“No. We met up and she asked to stay here tonight,” I answered, placing my hand on Luna’s lower back to give her a gentle push towards the stairs. “And since it’s so late, we’re going to bed. You should too.”