Page 44 of Rise of the Melody
He jogged through the lush, sprawling grass toward the house while CooShee and I took the path down to the road.
A few minutes later a small, single cab truck pulled up. Teague looked gigantic in the little cab. I was surprised he was driving such an older vehicle, but I liked it. CooShee easily jumped into the bed of the truck, and I slid onto the bench seat. It was clean but had that old musty smell topped with pine trees.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Of course.”
I didn’t tell him where I lived. He knew already. We were quiet on the drive and I watched his forearm slightly flex as he switched gears.
“I’ve never seen a stick shift before,” I told him.
He smiled. “I love retro stuff. Antiques. The older the better.”
I had to look away from that dangerously cute face.
Teague cut the lights when we were in sight of the house and pulled slowly into the crunching driveway. CooShee leapt gracefully from the back and ran into the woods.
“There he goes,” I whispered.
Teague looked all around. “I forgot how nice this property is. So private.”
“It’s a little overgrown,” I said, comparing it to his uncle’s pristine place.
“No, it’s wild and naturally beautiful. Like you.”
I snorted. “That was so cheesy.”
“It wasn’t that cheesy.”
“The cheesiest. Like extra sharp cheddar.”
He laughed. “Well, I totally meant it!”
I kept laughing, partly because I was nervous. He took my hand, stilling me. We were quiet for a long beat. I knew if I looked at him, I would scoot all the way over and ruin my lipstick.
“Which room is yours?” he asked.
I pointed to the turret window on the second floor.
“Of course,” he said. “That’s the window I’ll throw rocks at.”
Ugh, he was so cute.
“Teague, listen,” I said, pulling away so I could face him. “I like you. But there’s obviously unfinished business between you and Mairi.”
He shook his head. “That’s over.”
“She doesn’t think it’s over. Believe me. She came right up and put her arm around you to stake her claim in front of me.”
He knocked the side of his fist gently against the steering wheel. Again. And again. “What do I do about it?”
“You be honest with her. Completely. If you really are done, you tell her that you care about her as a friend, and always will, but the relationship part is over. And then you have to mean it. So, when she comes around wanting to hook up…you have to say no. You have to have willpower.”
“Damn, how do you know that’s happening? Clare?”
“Even if Clare hadn’t mentioned it, it’s obvious. I don’t want any part of a love triangle or sneaking around.”
“I know.” He lightly banged the steering wheel again, then looked at me. He wasn’t smiling, and his deep gaze was intense. “I just really want to kiss you, though. From the moment I saw you. I can’t stop thinking about it. Your lips are….” He made a low sound.
