Page 69 of Not A Peep

I feel nauseous by the time we hit the third bump. “I hate surprises when it comes to you guys.”

“I think you’re lying. I’ve seen with my own eyes how much you enjoy them.”

I’m seeing spots by the last speed bump. As discreetly as possible, I shove my hands beneath me and focus on the stop sign sitting by the exit of the community which we’re approaching. Grant pulls to a stop. And stays there.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t we going? The road is clear.” I look over to find Grant staring at me.

“What is this?” he asks, waving a hand up and down my body.

“What’s what?”

Grant scowls. “Cut the shit, dollface. Why are you sweating bullets suddenly?”

Behind us, someone honks. Grant doesn’t budge. Inwardly, I groan. Of course he’s going to hold firm on this. What can I say? Definitely not the truth. I can only imagine what they’d do with the knowledge that I killed someone with my car. So, what’s a plausible excuse?

“I-I hit a deer a few years ago,” I hold on to the fear from therealreason and make sure to leak it into my false confession. “It was gruesome. The sound it made, the blood, the bump as my car went over the body…”

Bile rises in my throat as I think about theactualscenario. It had been so bad.

“That’s the real reason I don’t park in my spot. Every time I go over those speed bumps, I’m reminded of it.”

Grant rolls his eyes and pulls out into the road. “It was an animal, dollface.”

I let out a noncommittal hum, but don’t say anything as guilt threatens to choke me. That night had been a nightmare. Pianna had consoled me later, promising that if I hadn’t done what I did, Joey would have hunted us down and killed the both of us. Her words had brought only a little comfort. It didn’t negate what I’d done. I squeeze my eyes shut and push the past away. As Grant drives, I slowly begin to relax. Halfway to the school, I manage to get myself under control.

“So,” I glance over to Grant. “Why are you all dressed up?”

His lips press together in a firm line.

“Oh, is it a secret?” I ask mockingly. “Or is it because I’m so far beneath you that it’s not worth your time or breath to indulge me in normal conversation? I forgot, I’m just a doll. An empty, pathetic doll that’s a nobody to be pushed around. Trash. An inanimate slut. Why waste your breath on me? If it’s not a threat, a command, or salacious suggestion I’m not—”

Grant jerks the wheel to the right and pulls over on the side of the road. Cars that whizz by honk, and we even get the bird. I throw my hands up into the air.

“Nowwhy—”

“Shut up,” he snaps, glaring at me.

I return the heated look, but keep my mouth closed.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he asks. I open my mouth to ask him what he’s talking about, but he cuts me off with a darker glare. “Don’tevertalk about yourself like that.”

I make a show of rolling my eyes. “Oh, is this a new thing? Your stupid, mindless slutty doll can’t—”

Grant moves so fast that there’s no way to react in time. He grabs my face in a biting grip with one hand and leans over the leather console that separates us until his nose almost touches mine.

“Weget to call you a slut. You areourslutty doll, and we’ll remind you of that constantly. Butyoudon’t get to call yourself that.” He growls through clenched teeth. “You don’t get to talk down about yourself, ever. If I hear this condescending,demeaningbullshit spew from between your lips again, I’ll make sure that your throat is so sore you can’t talk for a week.”

Surprise causes my mind to go blank. Grant lets go of my face and leans back in his seat. His glare, however, doesn’t lessen.

“I-I don’t understand.”

Rather than explain, Grant shakes his head and pulls back onto the road. For the rest of the ride, we’re both silent. His seething radiates around us. I stare at his profile, unable to figure out why he’s upset. By the time Grant pulls into the back parking lot, I’m still at a loss. He parks but doesn’t cut off the truck. With a sigh, I grab my purse and open the door. As I hop down, he calls after me,

“Be ready to go by six, dollface.”

I barely spare him a glance as I slam the door shut behind me. Whatever caused Grant’s irritation clearly wasn’t enough to curb any plans he has for us later on.

Twenty-One

---