I clench my jaw, trying to hold back my reaction and reach behind the passenger seat and grab my wallet. I immediately take out what I need and hand them over to the officer. I glance over at Viola, her breathing still hitched and her eyes wide.
The officer shines his light over my license to read it. “I’ll be back in a few moments, Mr. King,” he says before walking back to his car. I glance in the rearview mirror, watching the flashing lights light up the street.
“God,” she says, releasing a deep breath. “Drew cannot find out we were together in your car. That’ll be too suspicious, considering he thinks I’d rather eat rat poison than be alone with you.
“Damn, I knew you hated me, but rat poison? Really?” I arch a brow, trying to lighten the mood.
“Shut up,” she says, rolling her eyes and leaning her head back against the headrest. I don’t want Drew to find out about us this way either, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder what his reaction would be.
Would I be crossing the lines of our friendship? Would he think I’m not good enough for her? Or that I’d just be using her like all the rest?
It’s too early in the game to tell, but for her sake, I don’t want our little secret getting out.
The cop returns and hands me my cards back. “This is your warning, kids. Don’t let me catch you parking on the side of a busy street again unless it’s an emergency.”
I give him a small smile of understanding, and it takes everything I have in me to keep my mouth shut about how needing to fuck Viola in the back of my car was an emergency. A desperate sex emergency, but still.
He jerks his head toward the street. “Now, get out of here before I change my mind.”
I nod my head, roll up the window, and pull onto the street.
She finally relaxes and bursts into a fit of laughter. “I don’t think I’ve ever had an adrenaline rush like that in my life.” She’s smiling.
“Get ready for many firsts.”
Viola leans her head back against the headrest as I shift gears and slam on the gas. The engine roars as we merge onto the highway, and I shift once again until we’re cruising. Minutes pass and the silence cuts through the moment like a sharp knife.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask. She’s quiet, and I feel like she’s building that wall she’s perfected over the years. She turns her head and looks at me. If I could pull this car over on the freeway and fuck her again, I would. She’s that addicting.
“What are we doing, Travis?”
I grin. “We’re going back home for round two.”
“The truth, that’s all I want for once. Not a Travis King smart-ass answer.” The frustration and confusion are clear in her voice. She tucks her hair behind her ears, just like she did when we were young and would get nervous around me. There’s no jab at me, no hateful remark. Viola genuinely wants to know what we’re doing, but I don’t have an answer. The sexual tension between us has been evident for years, but now that we’ve finally crossed that line, I don’t think we could ever go back.
I focus on the road ahead of us, thinking how selfish I’ve been. I want her, but I’m worried if this goes any further than what it is right know, that I’ll only end up hurting her. I can’t give her what she wants and especially what she deserves. I won’t allow myself to be the man my father was to my mother. It’s one of my biggest fears and biggest reasons I need to protect her from me.
I take the exit off the highway and travel down the service road before turning into my neighborhood. I think about how to answer but know that whatever it is won’t be enough for her. “I don’t know.” I swallow, trying to find the right words, but nothing sounds right. “Being with you—”
She waits with bated breath for my next words, but they never come because when I see Jason parked in the driveway,mydriveway, leaning against his car with his hands tucked into his pocket, I see red all over again
“Shit,” Viola mutters under her breath. “I forgot we made plans.”
I slow down before pulling into the driveway and parking in my usual spot. I rev the engine, but Jason, being the coward he is, doesn’t look at me.
I leave the car idling as my jaw ticks with rage.
“Are you fucking serious?”
“Travis, I’m—” she begins, but I interrupt, choking out in mock laughter.
“Go on, Viola. Your date is waiting.” I can’t believe she’d do this, but I have no hold on her. She’s not mine, no matter what’s happened between us, but that doesn't make any damn bit of difference to me right now.
“Travis…” she pleads, desperate for me to allow her to explain, but I don’t want to hear any of it.
“Get. Out.” My words are cold and emotionless. I can’t even look her in the eyes.
“Travis, please.”