Page 27 of Laugh

“Home, please,” my voice cracks out. “I’m really sorry, but I do appreciate the thought.”

“I don’t want to push you to talk about what happened, because clearly you’re upset about it, but I will listen if you want.” His voice is gentle. I don’t know if he’s just being kind or actually wants to know, though.

To err on the side of caution, I decide to avoid discussing all of it and give him the bare minimum, just in case. Shrugging my shoulder, I watch the scenery as we drive by. “My mom died when I was little. When my dad married Deborah, we almost immediately butted heads. This is just the remnants of that.” Clearing my throat, I add, “I don’t like to disappoint my dad.”

Beau’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Disappointing your parents only means that you didn’t follow the path they wanted for you thewaythey wanted you to do it. Sometimes they forget that you’re your own person, not a copy of them.”

Sucking in a breath, I try to rein in my breakdown. The last thing I want is for this guy to see me at my worst. I appreciate his words, and really wanting to know if they’re from experience, but I can’t ask. I’m feeling so much right now that if I find out he has even close to the same baggage I have, I’ll just lose it.

I don’t want Beau to have been hurt. He’s tough, but even the strongest can be brought down if they’re hit with criticism enough times, especially from those who love them. I’d never want to see him break.

“Thank you,” I whisper. We make the rest of the drive in relative silence. I hear Beau tapping his fingers from time to time, either to fill the silent space or because he’s thinking of something to say.

When we finally arrive at my apartment, I thank him again for the ride before reaching for the handle to exit the car. His hand on my arm stops me.

“Haddie, I don’t… I’m not comfortable knowing that you’re going in there upset.” I’m not sure what to say while he chews on his lip, looking out the front of the car. He seems usure when he asks without eye contact, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Damn it all to holy hell and back. Heisreally freaking nice. A small smile frees itself from my morose musings. “I just need a good bottle of wine and some sappy music. I’ll be good to go in no time, Captain.”

Moving toward him, I attempt to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, but my movement draws his attention back to me. Ofcoursehe turns his head the moment I reach his cheek and our lips brush against each other.

I can feel my eyes widening in surprise and I freeze right along with him.

Oh. My. God.I’m kissing Thor.

Thor, though, isn’t kissing me back. His body is completely rigid, unmoving, unreciprocating… unimpressed?

Pulling away quickly, I find myself in a complete state of panic. “Oh, fuck. Fuck me. Wait, that’s not what I mean. I’m… Christ, I’mreallysorry. I m-meant to just peck your cheek. I’ll, umm, I’ll get out of your hair.”I just essentially forced a kiss on a guy I’m totally crushing on, and he was NOT feeling it.

I won’t cry in front of him, but I really need to call Marcus for an emergency delivery of Skittles. At this point, nothing will make me feel better other than red and orange Skittles. Marcus, bless his soul, always eats the other three colors for me because… gross.

“Happy.” His voice is rough, choked with what I’m sure will be kind words to let me down easy. The grip on my arm tightens as he prevents me from leaving.

Whispering, I plead for him to just let me leave. “Beau, I’m so fucking sorry. Please don’t make me feel worse.”

Beau’s eyes squeeze shut for just a moment before he opens them and focuses directly on me. My breath stalls when I see an entirely different look in them, and I’ve just been rocketed to an entirely new level of male-female interaction I have zero experience with.

His hand releases me only momentarily before he’s cupping the side of my face, threading his fingers through the side of my hair and pulling me forward. This time, he leans in, and without saying anything, presses his lips firmly against mine, coaxing my mouth open with a brush of his tongue.

My heart is racing when I feel the tip touch mine, then slide deeper into my mouth as he tilts his head to kiss me more fully.

He tastes… heavenly.

His free hand connects with the other side of my face as he cradles me to control the angle. Our shared moment escalates quickly, and I feel fire licking through my body, driving me to get closer to him.

I’m just about to reach out when he wrenches his mouth from mine, panting breaths heaving in the small space. His eyes bounce across my face before letting me go and grabbing onto the wheel with both hands.

“I have to go,” he whispers.

This time, I don’t apologize before I open the door and slink out of his car.

The only thing I know is that I could practically taste his regret in the air before I shut the door on him.

Chapter 10

Like Like Her

Beau

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