Page 212 of Now and Forever

Shit. Shit. SHIT.

My face was beyond hot; it was burning from inside out.

“Forget I said that. FUCK!”

I wanted to die on the spot. What in the world made me spout off idiotic things to him? It was like vomit—just when you thought it was over and done with, there was another surprise attack sneaking up on you.

“Like hell I will. MASTURLINE?” His tone sounded amused with a hint of intrigue. “Care to elaborate on that?”

“Not really. Nope.” I shook my head, wanting for something to swallow me alive so I didn’t have to endure another notch in my already long list of embarrassing moments where Cruz was concerned.

“You’re quite the firecracker, aren’t you, Serena?”

How badly I wanted to die right then and there. Then again, the uncomfortable damage was done, so it was best to live with it.

“You bet. I’m like a Christmas morning—a gift that keeps on giving. Now that we’ve established that, can I hang up now? ’Cause I think my fun-o-meter is running low.”

“Why did you call me in the first place, Serena?” he inquired, obviously willing to forgo the awkward moment.

I could have sighed with relief, but I didn’t want him to know how embroiled and distressed I was.

“I wouldn’t have bugged you in the first place if Archer wasn’t out of town.”

“Good to know I’m not the first choice.” Pure sarcasm laced his voice, none too pleased.

His comment was as if he was implying something else entirely. If his ego was bruised, well, it wasn’t my intention.

Back to my present conundrum, I hoped he would be willing to help me.

“Are you back in town, or are you still in Geneva?”

“I flew in four hours ago.”

“Right. Well, I know this might seem too much, given that you guys don’t know me all that well yet, but since you once told me that I could count on you when I needed something, I was hoping, if possible, there’s a spare driver you could call to come pick me up right now? I know it’s late, and I apologize for that. I promise this will be the first and only time. I don’t like inconveniencing people for my benefit. I’m not like that at all. I just wanted to add that.”

There was a momentary pause before he said, “Where are you exactly?”

“Brighton.”

“What in God’s name are you doing in Brighton on a school day?” he hissed, briefly stunning me.

The second I regained my wit, I immediately went into defensive mode. “What do you think, Cruz? We’re studying the Bible and singing “Kumbaya,” I snapped back, fuming.

“Lovely, just lovely. At least one of us finds it humorous,” He reprimanded in a manner that a principal would use to scold a student. “Text me the address this instant, and someone will be on their way to come fetch you.”

“Thank you.” His less than amused tone affected me a great deal more than I would like to admit. Instead of responding in the same biting tone I had used minutes ago, I felt compelled to resort back to my less catty voice, mellower and less snarky.

I was expecting another exchange of words, but was stunned to find that the line had gone dead.

Okay. What was that all about? Was he pissed off because I had called at this time of the night, the fact that I wanted a driver to come get me, or the fact that I had partied on a school night? Margery didn’t seem to mind when I told her, so why was he acting like I was a rebellious party girl?

Shaking my head, I made sure to text him the address then put my phone on vibrate before I slipped it back into my purse and headed off to find Nessa on the dance floor.

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