Page 18 of The Silent Count
Cars line the streets outside of the large white house with the numbers four, two, seven painted on the mailbox. I slow down as I approach, trying to find a place to park, when bright red hair catches my attention out of the corner of my eye.
I’d know that hair anywhere, so it’s not surprising when I twist my head to the left and find Lea storming up her driveway with her fists balled and her sides and a grimace on her face. She’s mumbling something to herself, and all I can think about is how damn cute she looks when she’s pissed off.
She wears that same expression at work whenever she finds something annoying—usually caused by one of my idiotic teammates… well, being an idiot.
I pump the brakes and bring the car to a stop while rolling down the window. I let out a whistle, trying to grab her attention, but with the blaring music coming from her house, I doubt she can hear it.
“Sterling, where are you going?” I shout instead.
Those whiskey-colored eyes of hers flick up to meet mine, and her face softens. Not by much, but it’s still enough for me to notice. My chest aches at the sight.
“With you,” she grumbles as she picks up her pace and rounds the hood of my SUV. “Unlock the door.”
I do as I am told, and Lea’s hair blows backward from the wind she created while whipping open the passenger door. She hops in, slamming the door harder than the average person would, and buckles herself in with a huff.
“Where are we headed?”
“Anywhere. Your house. The beach. France. I don’t care where we go as long as you get me out of here.”
I put the car in drive and ease down the street. “Bad night?”
“I hate parties.”
I nod, unsure whether I should ask further questions or let her stew over whatever is pissing her off so much right now. When in doubt, I prefer to opt for silence. Saves a lot of hassle in the long run.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she starts, and I’m glad I kept my mouth shut. “Why throw a bye week party every year if you don’t like them?” She puts on a masculine tone of voice to mimic mine and I find it a lot cuter than it should be.
“What are you smiling about?”
“You’re cute when you’re pissed off, is all.”
“No, I’m not,” she tries to argue, but all I do is laugh. Lea rolls her eyes before continuing.
I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but I’ve decided it’s my mission to turn her night around. I’d rather do just about anything than go to this party anyhow. And spending some alone time with Lea instead is the best alternative I can think of.
Plus, her dad told me to look out for her and this is me sticking to my word. If anyone questions what we get up to tonight, that’ll be my answer.
“I’ve got to make a turn here. Which way is the beach?”
“Take a right, then make a left at the stoplight,” she directs before folding her arms over her chest and slumping back in the seat. “Could we… maybe stop for food first? I’m starving.”
“You’re hangry, aren’t you?” I tease.
“Am not.” She shoots me a nasty look, but all it does is make my smile grow wider.
She totally is, and I find it fucking adorable.
EIGHT
LEA
I closemy eyes and wiggle in the passenger seat of Fortune’s SUV, doing a little shimmy as I dip a handful of french fries into some ketchup and shovel them into my mouth. The salt mixed with the fresh out of the fryer crunch is heavenly.
When I open my eyes, we’re stopped at a traffic light and Fortune is looking over at me with his mouth dropped open, and a couple of fries in his hand waiting to be eaten. There’s a small smile playing on his lips that makes me wonder if he’s getting more enjoyment out of watching me eat than the food itself.
“Alright, so maybe I was a bit hangry,” I admit. “There’s no need to be smug about it.”
“Maybe?” Fortune taunts while looking at me like I hang the moon. “Can’t believe you’re already stealing my fries, too.”
