Page 25 of Fire Fight

It takes four minutes to walk there. When I reach him, he’s visibly calmer, eyes coldly watching me approach. I want to keep on walking, but we’re hours away from home. Arnold’s warning about the impossibility of getting around the hills on foot replays dully in my ears.

Still, I hang back until Drake gets out of the vehicle, then ask, “What the fuck’s wrong with you?”

He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. The smoulder as his eyes lock to mine would probably set Gretchen alight, but I cross my arms. Wary.

“Too many things to list.” He straightens, palms resting against the top of the car. “You shouldn’t be taking those pills, and you definitely shouldn’t be handing them out to others.”

“It was only—” He cuts me off with another laugh. Harsher. “Fine. I haven’t given anybody, anything. Not since Harriet. They’re just to help me sleep.”

“Yeah, they help all right. You want to know how long it’d take me to wake up if you came into my room at night?”

My chin juts out as I try to pretend the twinges in my stomach are from the seat belt and nothing to do with shame. “I don’t need to know because I wouldn’t do that.”

His eyes linger, then he gives a one-sided shrug. “Fair enough. But I don’t want you bringing that shit into my house again.”

I want him to answer my question. To tell me why it matters, but I already know he won’t. Besides, with so much on the line, it’s not like my mother will continue hooking up with her overly friendly pharmacist.

My supply is cut off, either way.

So, I answer, “Fine. Can I get back in the car now?”

He comes around to my side, staring at me through narrowed eyes, licking his lips. “If you want back inside this vehicle, you’ll have to pay a forfeit.”

“Of what?”

He manoeuvres me until my back is against the rear door of the vehicle, his arms caging me on either side. When he leans in to whisper in my ear, his warm breath sends a shiver racing along my spine.

“Show me the message I wrote.” His cheek brushes against mine, and spit pools in my mouth. The twinge of danger makes the angles of his face look more enticing.

Sick bitch.

He curls his knuckle, tracing my jaw from ear to chin, then following the curve of my throat. The gentle touch exerts just enough pressure to feel along the length of my windpipe, then he taps my collarbone. “Show me my handiwork and I’ll let you back inside for the ride home.”

My nipples stiffen, their outline pressing against the clinging fabric of my blouse. A change he sees, pupils widening until his eyes are black.

When his hand moves, the rough pad of his thumb rubs across the peaks in my shirt. His eyes lock to mine again, leaning closer while my pulse accelerates.

With a gasp, I shove at his chest. “I’m sure Arnold will love this story.” I push again as a car pulls to the kerb behind us.

Hudson gets out of the driver’s seat, expression cautious. “Hey, guys. Are you two okay?”

Drake straightens at the interruption. “We’re fine. Why don’t you—”

“Would you be able to drop me home?” I ask, ducking under Drake’s arm to walk over to Hudson’s vehicle. “If it’s not too far out of your way.”

“Sure. Our house is just around the bend from yours, but—”

I jerk my head towards Drake. “A friend of his called and wants to meet him but I’d rather not.” Then I turn my hopeful gaze back to Hudson. “If that’s okay?”

“Fine by me.” He walks around to open the passenger door for me, checking, “Is that good with you, Blaine?”

He makes a low grunt that could mean anything, but I’m relieved Hudson takes it as acceptance and gets into the driver’s seat, starting the engine. With a smile, he crosses his eyes at me before pulling into the flow of traffic.

I watch Drake in the wing mirror as we drive away. He stands by his car, hands clenched into fists, jaw locked, eyes blazing.

No doubt thinking of all the horrors he’ll inflict on me once I make it home.

CHAPTER NINE

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