Page 23 of Until You're Mine
I almost tapped Shane on the shoulder to ask where we were going a few times, but I’d have to scream in order to be heard, and right now, I honestly didn’t care. I needed to get away, and after this morning’s subsequent hangover, I’d decided against using alcohol to deal with it.
We ended up in front of one of those squat, hut-type buildings that sold authentic Mexican food. Shane climbed off then gripped my hips and helped me off the motorcycle. I reached up and removed the helmet, sure I had mashed hair, but I didn’t care. Probably because I was too focused on Shane’s hands and the way my pulse skittered through my body.
Time to employ my self-control. We’re friends, we’re friends…“I’m off and on solid ground. You can let go now.”
His eyes met mine and swallowing became impossible. “Right. I’m supposed to keep my hands to myself. You sure you want to stick with that rule?”
I licked my lips. “I’m sure.”
“What’s the policy on hair?” He reached up and tugged one of my ponytails, sending tingles racing across my scalp. “You don’t expect me to resist these, do you?”
“I do,” I said, fighting the urge to tell him that I liked a little hair pulling. Definitelynota friends thing to say, and even thinking the too-flirty reply opened up the guilt floodgates.What was I thinking hopping on the back of his motorcycle like that? I’m putting myself in the exact position I swore I wouldn’t.
His hand drifted down to my shoulder. “Uh-oh. I’m losing you.”
I took a step back and rubbed the spot on my neck where I could still feel the ghost of his touch. “I assume we’re here for food?”
He seemed to shake himself out of wherever his thoughts had been headed. “Yeah. Josefina’s is the best Mexican food in the city.”
“Well, it’s been a while, and I’ve never eaten here, but I’m partial to a place in La Mesa.”
“Iguaranteethis is better.”
The lady at the cash register beamed at us as we approached. “Mijo!It’s about time you came to see me!”
Correction, she beamed at Shane. She even came out from behind the counter and hugged him before casting a big smile at me.
“This is Brooklyn,” he said. “Brooklyn, Josefina. Her son’s been one of my best friends since high school, so she puts up with me.”
She clucked her tongue and waved off his words. “Oh, you. You’re such a good boy.” She pinned him with a look. “You make sure my Hector is being a good boy, too.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Come on, then. I get you food.”
Shane nudged me. “Did you hear that? I’m a good boy.”
“And I thought you said she knew you.”
At his dropped-jaw expression, I laughed. Relief flickered through his expression, I assumed because he’d concluded the waterworks were officially over. It was funny how afraid most boys were of tears. Of course it’d be a lot funnier right now if it didn’t mean he’d witnessed my minor breakdown.
We ordered food, and I was talked into getting something different from my usual shredded beef burrito—apparently it was a requirement to have the enchiladas so I could experience Josefina’s signature red chile sauce. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I took my first bite. Instead of holding back, I let out a moan as the spicy food hit my tongue. “Okay, I’ll give you one. This is amazing. All I need is a Mountain Dew and this would be the perfect meal.”
“Is that what you were drinking this morning?”
A slight thrill went through me that he’d noticed, before I remembered friends wouldn’t be so excited about that. “Yeah. I need double the usual amount on days like today. I think tomorrow I’ll just bring in a two-liter and go to town.”
“You know that stuff is horrible for you. It’ll leave you gassed halfway through a fight.”
“Guess it’s a good thing I choose my fights so wisely. You should follow my example and leave me and my beloved Mountain Dew alone.”
A crooked half smile spread across his face and he gave my thigh a playful shove. “What if I want to start a fight with you?”
I shoved him right back. “Trust me, you don’t. You might think you’ve seen all my moves in the cage, but I have more—so, so many more. Seriously, it’d blow your mind.”
“Sounds like we better squeeze in a few more workouts together, then. You can teach me some new moves.”
I turned my focus to my food, poking at it with a fork. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. For one, you’re obviously super fragile, so I’d probably hurt you, and then you’d be injured and unable to fight.”
