Page 81 of Victorious: Part I

He stifles a laugh. It’s short but genuine. “Takes one to know one.”

The air around us falls quiet again, but it’s different now. Less heavy. The radio plays a more alternative tune than the popular Taylor Swift song that broke the ice earlier. Phoenix reaches out to turn it up just slightly, his fingers tapping the steering wheel in time to the beat.

Who knew he’d be into “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone?

Smiling to myself, I glance down at my cell. “According to the map, our first stop should be coming up in about five minutes,” I inform him, seeing our little truck moving on the digital screen. “Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch.”

Phoenix turns to me, raising an eyebrow. “The what now?”

Chuckling, I drop my cell in my lap and focus on him. “It’s this weird but amazing art installation. This dude Elmer spent decades collecting bottles and turning them into these metal tree sculpture things. The whole place is full of them, literally hundreds of glass bottles hanging from metal poles.” I feel my face light up with the excitement flowing through me as I sit taller. “And when the sun hits them just right…” I bring my hands up, extending my fingers for emphasis, “… they cast these incredible colored shadows and reflections.” I feel myself getting animated as I explain. “It’s going to besofreaking perfect for the marketing campaign.” I bring my thumb to my mouth, biting it in my excitement with the biggest smile crossing my face.

But Phoenix glances at me quickly, a faint smile crossing his lips, his brow furrowed as he looks at me like I’m just a stupid kid. “Soundsdifferent,” he states, the skepticism clear in his voice.

An instant wave of embarrassment smacks me straight in the chest. Sitting back in my seat, I clear my throat, my eyes shifting to gaze out the window instead of letting him see how disappointed I am. “You shouldn’t knock it till you see it. It’sexactlythe kind of quirky roadside attraction that will make this campaign stand out.”

“If you say so,” he murmurs.

Scrunching my brows, I huff.

Asshole.

“I do!” I snap back, feeling defensive.

He doesn’t respond, and as I continue to stare out at the sand passing us by, it does nothing to help my aggravation.

Our family is home, preparing to fight for their lives, and I am stuck in a truck with this dick who’s treating me like shit for no real reason.

Fuck this!

Spinning in my seat to face him again, I fold my arms across my chest and glare at him. “This isn’t just some fun road trip,Wes.This is my first job during my internship. Arealjob that could lead to an amazing career!”

Phoenix turns to look at me, his expression hardens, and suddenly, he pulls the truck off the side of the road and to an abrupt stop. A swirl of dirt and dust plumes behind us as he skids into the sandy earth.

Widening my eyes, I gasp.“What the fuck?”

He spins to face me, his attention completely on me now, the brightness of his intense blue eyes bore into mine, suddenly making me feel all kinds of weak at the knees.

He cranes his neck to the side, his hand coming up to rub the pressure building in the muscles of his neck. “First of all, youcan’tcall me Wes. You know the rules, Clo. I have a Road Name, and unless you’re family or my Old Lady, of which you are neither, you donotget to call me Wes.”

I swallow a lump in my throat at the seriousness of his tone.

“Secondly, and most importantly,” he hesitates, taking a breath, his eyes leaving mine for a brief moment, before turning back to me, his expression softer now, more sincere. “I swear I’m not trying to be an asshole. It’s just taking everyounceof physical strength I have in me not to turn this truck around and protect my sister. To fight with my brothers, but I know I can’t.”

My shoulders slump in understanding as I subtly nod at him.

“I do want to see your bottle… statue… things—”

“Bottle Tree Ranch,” I help him out.

He chuckles, tilting his head, his hand sliding out and taking mine. The instant our hands touch, it’s like my insides burst into flames, my entire body feeling like it is far too hot. “I want to see Bottle Tree Ranch with you, Clo. I want to be on this trip to Vegas with you. I want to be the one protecting you. Just know that if I have moments of assholery, it’s gotnothingto do with you andeverythingto do with my mind being back home.”

A slow smile crosses my lips, and I sigh. “Okay, for an apology, that one gets, I dunno, a solid four.”

He chuckles, his gorgeous smile crossing his face, shining brighter than the morning sun. “Out of five?”

I snort, shake my head, and let out a mocking laugh. “God no, out of ten.”

His eyes widen, feigning shock as he turns back to the steering wheel, nodding matter-of-factly. “Oh, all right, I see how it is, little miss hardass. I gotta up my game next time.” He chuckles, turning on his signal, then pulls back out onto the road.

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