Page 38 of Find Me in the Rain
He holds the jacket up for me to put my arms through. The second it’s on, I’m engulfed in him, in the scent of my past, our past. It’s so weird to be here, going to a party together after all this time.
He walks off, heading to the bike. Turning his head, he calls to me, “Ready?”
Without a word, I catch up to him I look over, and Char and Reed are in his car, waiting for us.
Throwing my leg over the bike, I grab on to his shoulders, settling down onto the seat. It’s not any less awkward this time around. I hesitantly wrap my arms around his waist.
He grabs my hands and pulls me tighter up against him, crossing my arms. Every part of me is pressed up against him. I’m so thankful he can’t see my face right now.
He revs the engine, and we take off, Reed’s car close behind. But Reed speeds up, and flies by us. The air is whipping all around us, and I’m so thankful he gave me his jacket because, jeez, I was not prepared. But he has to be freezing his ass off.
I shout over the roaring air, “Are you cold?”
He turns his head slightly, and his cheek presses against my forehead. “Laura, with your arms on me right now, I think I might catch fire.”
Okay, now, I’m ecstatic he can’t see my face.
We ride the rest of the way in silence, and when we pull up to the house, my jaw drops. This is the house some of the team is renting for their stay? It’s absolutely breathtaking.
There are endless cars out front, and I’m suddenly getting nervous again. I didn’t think it was going to be quite this large of a party. Music is pouring out of the house.
Alec pulls into the driveway and parks next to a car, killing the engine.
He leans the bike against the kickstand and helps me get off. “Ready to go in?”
I immediately look around for Char, but I don’t see her anywhere. Turning back to Alec, I realize I only have one option unless I want to be out here alone. “Yes.”
He runs his hand behind his neck and smiles at me. “Thank you for coming with me tonight, Lu. It wouldn’t be the same without you here.” His smile morphs into a smirk. “And I’ve got the prettiest woman here.”
I purse my lips playfully. “Well, you haven’t ‘got’ me, for one. And you haven’t seen all the girls here yet.”
He doesn’t hesitate a second. His eyes are boring into mine when he says, “I don’t have to see the other girls here to know you’re the most beautiful one, Lu.”
My cheeks burn with his words. “Thank you.”
“Just a fact.”
He holds his hand out, and for once since he’s been back, I don’t sit and question everything. I just do what I want. And I slide my fingers into his.
When we walk into the house, people turn and look at us, their eyes dropping to our hands. We round the corner, and I finally find Char and Reed, who are talking to Cam.
He turns, as if sensing our presence, and his eyes slowly trail down to our linked hands. He shakes his head ever so slightly, and I wonder if anyone else noticed.
I feel Alec stand a little taller next to me and can’t help but laugh at his sense of protectiveness. Nothing has changed since high school.
We finally reach them after wading through the seemingly endless crowd of people.
Char has a drink in her hand, and I think I could use one right about now. I don’t have to worry about Jack tonight since he’s at home with Josh, so I can cut loose a little bit.
I release his hand and walk up to her. “Get me one.” I drop my eyes to her cup.
She nods her head, and without a word, she links her arm through mine and starts leading me away.
But Cam reaches out and catches my arm. “Hey, Laura. Nice seeing you, as always.”
I smile up at him. “You too, Cam. Need a drink?”
He looks down at his cup, which is almost full. “Yeah, I could use a new one.” He smirks and follows Char and me to wherever we’re going.
