Page 6 of Ride or Die
“Of course I do. You’re Colton fucking Hawthorne, resident stud in The Shores. You like fast cars and women. You’re hot as hell and just as intimidating,” I blurt out. I immediately cover my mouth as heat rises up my chest to my cheeks.
He has a grin on his face but is still watching the road. God, the way his left hand rests lazily over the wheel does things to me. He looks so casual and effortlessly sexy.
“I didn’t peg you as a girl who would go to a street race or pay attention to a guy like me.”
“Because I’m the good girl, right?” He looks over at me, his tongue darting out to wet his lower lip, but he doesn't answer.
“Why were you there tonight? Did Simone drag you along? Or were you there for another reason?”
“I just figured I needed a night out, so I came out with all the people who have ignored me and been mean to me for years,” I say dryly, rolling my eyes. “Yes, Simone dragged me along.”
“You really could use a night out. Your nose is always buried in your books.” He chuckles. The comment irritates me. I avoid these things because I have life goals, yet somehow it makes me a loser?
“Look, just because I study, work a normal job, don’t drink, and don’t have one-night stands with random strangers doesn’t mean I’m not an interesting person. If you’d take the time to get to know me, you’d see there’s more to me, but no one does. Even if I did like to party, people wouldn’t notice me anyway,” I state, staring out the window.
“Do you?” He pauses and I look over at him, confused. “Sleep with random strangers?” he finishes, glancing at me with seductive eyes and a sultry smirk. I cross my arms and huff, turning away from him.
Truth be told, I’ve never dated or even had my first kiss. I was always so focused on school, and guys never tried to get my attention because I was a nerd. I feel ashamed sometimes because my sister always makes fun of me for it. But it’s who I am, and the right man will want me regardless of that.
“That’s none of your business,” I spit out. “And see? All you got out of my rant was the part about fucking! Reinforcing my point! Thank you.”
He chuckles. “Oh, come on, Layla, I was just bugging you. I know there’s so much more to you. I know you’re an interesting person. Not all of us are blind, some of us pay attention.” My heart flutters and I look down, straightening my dress on my legs.What does that mean?
I can feel his eyes burning into my skin as he stares at me, and a small smile creeps across my face. Feeling his eyes on me is exciting as hell.
“Watch the road,” I say, making him laugh again, and he focuses back on the road ahead.
"If you know about me, and think I'm interesting, then why do you never talk to me?" I look over at him. He sucks in his lower lip into his mouth then lets out a deep breath.
"What, and you would actually talk to a guy like me?" he raises an eyebrow as he glances over again. I bite my cheek anddon't answer him, averting my eyes from his. He's not wrong. I avoided him and the crowd he hung out with for a reason; to avoid being made fun of.
To avoid being dragged down into the ways of The Shores.
We sit quietly for the rest of the ride until we reach our sullen-looking neighborhood. Driving in feels like you enter a whole new world. The air is different and the mood instantly changes. It's like everything loses its color once you enter The Shores. We drive past the usual girls standing on the corner of the strip mall, waiting for their next hustle as the street light flickers above. Then we see the homeless men standing around a barrel fire when we pass the park. The place is dirty, the streets littered with garbage, shutters falling off houses and unkempt lawns, filled with people who don’t give a shit about appearances or taking care of our planet.
He pulls up in front of my dark house, my parents' car missing. “Here you go. Looks like no one is home. You going to be okay?” he asks, looking over at me.
“Thanks, I’ll be good. I really appreciate the ride.” I turn to get out of the car but he grabs my arm, making a little gasp escape me.
“Give me your phone, I’ll give you my number.” I hand it over. “Next time Simone, or anyone, fucks you over and you need a ride, call me, okay? You shouldn’t be wandering highways alone at night. You need someone to have your back here, and I can help you if you need it.”
I nod and feel a blush creep up my cheeks. Did I just get Colton Hawthorne’s number?
“Text me now so I have yours.” I type in a smiley emoji and he gets it right away.
“Have a good night, Layla,” he says softly with a small smile on his face. The way he says my name makes my entirebody buzz. But Colton has that effect on everyone. It's just his confidence and alluring good looks.
“Goodnight, Colton. Thanks for the ride.” I give him a shy smile, then turn and head inside. He waits until I close the door to the house before he pulls away.
My heart thuds in my chest just being in his presence, and now I have his number because he wants me to call if I’m in trouble?
Cool your shit, Layla. He was just being nice. Probably because there is something he wants to use me for, and now he’s got a selfless gesture in the bank to blackmail me.
CHAPTER
FOUR
COCKY ASSHOLE
