Page 91 of Fractured Future
“You should be apologising for tracking me like some kind of runaway teen! What kind of insane tactic is that?”
Still not a peep. He just stares ahead, strangles the steering wheel and acts like he can’t hear me.
“Fine. Don’t talk to me, then.”
Nothing.
“I won that fight,” I say acerbically. “So if you’re mad at me for sneaking out, perhaps you should pull your head out of your ass and realise that fact.”
His stubbled jaw tics, betraying his annoyance. The grump is mightily mad. He can join the long line of people I’ve pissed off in the last twenty-four hours.
“If Warner hadn’t intervened, I could’ve gotten answers. I know he has information about Gael! He found me! Blaine can help.”
“Don’t call him that,” Hyland finally speaks.
“What?”
“That criminal piece of shit doesn’t get to be on a first name basis with you.”
My laughter bounces around the car. “Oh, grow up.”
“I went back to that fucking warehouse last night to burn it down with him inside.” His head shakes in disappointment. “Too bad the bastard had already cleared out.”
“So you’re mad because he outsmarted you?”
“I’m mad because he’s dangerous, and you can’t see that! You can’t trust Madden!”
Studying his side profile, I try to fathom what goes on in his thick skull. Hyland is complicated. His hot and cold attitude gives me whiplash on a good day, but this feels like something far more complicated.
Neither of them had much to say to me on the drive back to Tom’s apartment last night. I felt like the problem child being sent home from school. After Tom finished yelling at me, I curled up in bed with the sound of fists hitting flesh ringing in my ears.
But it was the first night since I came home that I didn’t dream of Mexico. Gael’s victims. The sound of my skull cracking against concrete. Endless nights spent battling to survive. Debilitating black outs and constant anxiety, never knowing when the next will hit.
My dreams were filled with bottomless onyx eyes and confident smirks instead. While I went looking for answers, I got something else from Blaine. Now I want more.
“I shouldn’t have snuck out,” I try to appease him. “But I don’t regret going to look for Blaine. I’m a part of this case.”
“You’re the heart of it! And we’re trying to protect you.”
“I have the skills and the right to help.”
Hyland harrumphs, scratching his light blonde scruff. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Slumping in the passenger seat, I kick my legs up to rest on the dashboard. “I’m wishing you’d admit that you’re salty about missing my fight.”
“Hah. Dream on.”
“You’re totally jealous because I kicked Blaine’s ass while Warner had you relegated to the role of getaway driver. I know I’m right.”
“Delusional, more like.”
His mouth twitches as he fights a smile. Hyland likes to pretend that he’s all terrifying and aggressive with his insane height and stacked muscles, but I can see beyond that.
I worried him.
Because… what? He cares now?
Fuck if I know.
