Page 9 of Crazy In Love
“Oh, yeah. He’s doing that.” He follows me to the door and jerks it open, gesturing none-too-friendly into the cab. “Let’s go.”
“A-are you alright?” I inch past him and carefully climb in. “You seem kinda tense. You insisted on picking me up tonight, but if I’d known it would make you cranky?—”
“I’m not cranky.” He slams the door and strides around the hood, digging a hand into his pocket and freeing his keys. In seconds, he slides in on his side, his aftershave smacking me with a wafting cloud, his flexing jaw like a neon sign in the dark, illuminated under the harsh overhead light that extinguishes the moment he tugs his door closed. Finally, he releases all but one key, so the rest dangle on the hoop, and a fancy, monogrammed keyring catches my attention.
CW.
C friggin W!
“Christian?” I recoil and slam my elbow on the window, hissing from the pain as his menacing eyes look me up and down. “What the hell? You’re not Tommy!”
“Didn’t say I was.” He stabs the key into the ignition and turns over the engine, pressing his foot to the clutch and rolling the truck forward, all in the time it takes my heart to beat. “You assumed.”
“Youletme assume! I said, ‘Hey, Tommy!’ Andyouleaned in for a hug.”
“You grabbed me for a hug. I neither consented nor did I make it into a big deal or act like an asshole in front of your friend. I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“Bullshit! YouknowI was only being polite because I thought you were someone else.”
“You don’t think I deserve your general politeness?”
“After you emailed me twenty-three times in the last six days?” I slump back and fix my seatbelt, folding my arms and making myself as small as possible, if only so I don’t have to be near him. “Twenty-three times! All to say the same thing. That’s grounds for a harassment order inanystate.”
He firms his jaw in the waning light. “I was letting you know that we had this under control. So if you wanted to stay in New York, you could.”
“And I hit reply to the first three emails, informing you that I heard you, and that I intended to visit anyway. The twenty after that were unnecessary.”
“It was five emails.” He pulls out of the airport parking lotand onto a single-lane road.Because that’s all they need out here. One lane. “Exaggerating is the same as lying. Don’t be that person.”
“I told you your opinion was noted and disregarded. Yet, you continued to fill my inbox.” I purse my lips and stare daggers at the side of his face. “Don’t be that guy. It’s not cute. Neither is being a dick.”
“I wasn’t trying to be a dick.” He lounges back, one hand on the steering wheel and the other spinning the window crank until a warm breeze sprints through the cab. “I was trying to ensure everyone was clear on the details. I was formal, friendly, and not at all harassing. Your presence isnotnecessary. That’s factual. You’re taking it personally.”
Of course, I’m taking it personally, you jackass!“It seemsyourpresence is equally unnecessary. Alana askedmeto be there for her. Did she ask you?”
Target decimated. The stony grip he has on his jaw breaks, and his hardened eyes slide across to mine. “I live here. She knows she can count on me, so it was hardly worth vocalizing.”
“Mmhm.” I open my purse and dig through its contents, snagging my phone just as soon as I catch sight of the illuminated screen. Then, setting my bag on the floor between my feet, I unlock the device with a fast swipe of my thumb, switch off plane mode, and jump to my text inbox until, of course, a half dozen texts ding and vibrate to announce their arrival.
Chris is coming to get you. He insisted.
Be nice to him! He appears grouchy and tough, but his feelings are easily hurt if you find the right words.
You should be landing soon. I hope your flight was good.
My flight tracker app says you’re taxying. Welcome! Hurry to me. I miss the hell out of you.
Don’t forget the thing I said about Chris. He’s a sweetheart, and I’m kinda protective. So don’t pick at him.
Franky says hey and to hurry! Also, Tommy says hey and to not be mean to his brother. We know you, Fox! I know you. So don’t be a jerk.
“Coulda sent those textsbeforeI went into airplane mode.” Grumbling under my breath, I tap out a fast reply.
I’m here, I’m in the truck, and Tommy owes me a giant apology for sending his identical proxy without adequate warning. I would’ve preferred hitching a ride with the suitcase flingerer. Seems safer.
“Unfortunately, Alana wants us to get along.” Sending the message, I lower my phone and peer over at the guy who won’t say a word unless it’s pried out of his mouth with a crowbar… or spite. “She said we have to.”
“We are getting along.” He drops his legs open and turns the radio up just enough to catch the tune, but not the words. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t make a habit of arguing with perfect strangers.”
