Page 118 of Breaking the Rules
"You okay?" I put the car in drive.
"Yeah." Her voice is shaky. "Just ready to be home."
"You sure?"
She nods.
It's not true. She's not okay. But staying here isn't helping matters. I pull onto the street, do a U-turn in a driveway, head back toward San Vincente.
She settles into her seat. "I thought you only listened to guys who mumble about their pain."
"And this—" I nod to the stereo as the vocalist's words run together.
For a split second, she smiles. "He's a bit of a mumbler."
"Hot?"
"Eh… The voice is hot. The face and body not as much."
"Harsh."
"Truth hurts sometimes." This time, her smile lasts a few seconds. Then it's gone and she has that same nervous expression.
Her dark eyes are full of fear.
"What happened, Em?"
"Nothing. I just needed to be home."
"Where's Collin?"
"Hanging with his friends. He was having a good time. I didn't want to ruin that."
"He try something?"
"Oh my God, Hunter, can we not?"
"No."
Her gaze shifts to the window. She watches storefronts run together. A frozen yogurt place. An expensive gym. A strip mall full of local chains. "Where's Carpe Diem?"
"At her place."
"Oh." She presses her lips together. They're not red anymore. Her lipstick is worn off.
It's not like her.
She's religious about reapplying her makeup.
"Did you already fuck her?" Her voice doesn't quite hit teasing. "Doesn't really speak well to your performance."
"What happened?"
She ignores me. "Did you go back to her place?"
"Yeah."
"So I cock blocked you?"
