Page 94 of Drifting

I lean toward Nick. “Are you going to the party, or are you going home?”

“I was going home, but I think I need to head toward the party to monitor Hannah.” He glances over to his sister. “Did Dad contact you?”

“No.” I shake my head. “Maybe they never went home. They might not even know she’s gone.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Do you want me to drop you off before I go?” he asks.

Luke pipes up, “I’ll take her home. That way, you don’t have to worry about Hannah.”

“I can always call a cab,” I offer. “It’s no big deal.”

Luke touches my leg. “No, I don’t mind missing part or all of the party.”

“If, you’re sure.” I take in Sam and Paige. “Sam, can you make sure Paige gets back to her car all right? I’m going to head out.”

“Sure thing, Shelby.” He smiles as he puts his arm around Paige.

Luke gets out, I say goodbye to everyone, and Cam kisses me on the cheek.

When I walk past Dom, he stops me. “He’s not himself tonight.”

“I don’t care what he does, anymore,” I lie before walking away.

As I get into Luke’s Mustang and we pull away, Cam stands on the sidewalk, blowing me a kiss. Through the front window behind him, I see Mav running toward the door. Luke has his head turned as he backs up, so he doesn’t see Mav burst out of the restaurant. As Luke puts the car in drive, Mav hits the back end of the Mustang.

Surprised, Luke glances in the rearview mirror.

“Please, don’t stop,” I say. “Just go.”

Nodding, he takes his foot off the brake and steps on the gas.

In the side mirror, I see Mav waving his arms in the air before he disappears from view.

Luke says nothing on the way home, which is good because I’m not in the mood to talk anyway. Tears blur my vision, so I close them, not letting the tears fall. I just met Mav; how can it feel like he just ripped out my heart?

As Luke pulls into my driveway, I wipe my eyes before I open them. Most of the lights are off, so I guess Peter and my mom did go out.

Luke puts the car in park and clears his throat. “I’m... um... sorry about Mav. I’m sure he meant nothing by it. It’s his nature to flirt.”

Is that what the bathroom run was? His nature? I don’t reply, keeping my eyes fixed outside the window.

“Do you want me to come in?” Luke questions.

“No, go celebrate your win with your friends. I’ll be fine.” I lean over and kiss him. “Thanks for the ride.”

As I climb out of the car, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Luke watches from the driveway until I go into the house. I head straight to my room, taking my phone out of my back pocket. There are two voicemail messages and five missed texts.

Mav: Baby, I didn’t follow her into the bathroom, I swear.

Mav: Please answer me. Believe me.

Mav: I’m sorry I’m a flirt. I didn’t mean anything by it.

I don’t listen to the voicemail. I can’t. I send a quick text to Nick to tell him that the parents aren’t home then turn off my phone. Walking into the bathroom, I strip and turn on the shower.

My head is so jumbled; nothing makes sense. All the guys keep saying Mav means nothing by it, or it’s just his nature to flirt. They’re acting like it’s not a big deal that he went to the bathroom with that redheaded bitch.

I can’t think about this anymore. Turning off the water, I grab my t-shirt and boy shorts, before heading to bed.

---