Chapter Six #2
Maybe this was how he pulled people in. He was annoying until he wore you down. Until you had no choice but to not hate him.
“Once I have dates for the bachelor/bachelorette party,” I added, “I’ll text you, and we can see if The Dock can accommodate us.”
“You know you might regret this, right?” His smile morphed into a troublesome grin as he snatched the phone up and began inputting his number.
“Yes.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m aware.”
He slid the phone back across the table to me. “If The Dock can’t do it, we could consider looking at The Lodge.”
I sat up straight. His family-owned mountain resort would be perfect.
Everyone could spend the night and not have to worry about getting home.
Which was a huge plus considering our small town didn’t have reliable rideshare options.
Then again, it might be harder to plan an overnight with everyone.
So many of us worked shifts, the chances everyone could get the same time off was pretty slim.
But if The Dock couldn’t do it, it could be a really good second option.
“I love that idea.” And I really did, which was also a little frustrating.
“See,” Adam said, looking proud of himself. “They’re finally getting along.”
Lyla looked at me skeptically. “Yeah, I see that.”
The waitress appeared, delivering our food and momentarily stopping our conversation, and we all quickly dug in.
After two bites of my egg sandwich, I set it down. My curiosity over something was getting the best of me. “So what’s the full story with the fight over Savannah? I’m assuming you two dated?”
“We were friends.” Zack cleared his throat, but quickly shot me a smirk. “But I didn’t realize I wanted more until Miles hooked up with her. I got pissed, said some shitty things, and he punched me.” He shrugged. “And then, being idiot sixteen-year-olds, we ended up getting suspended for fighting.”
“So did you end up getting the girl then?” I picked my food back up, taking another bite.
He chuckled. “Not until senior year. She dated Miles for a bit, until I finally admitted I liked her.”
With a sardonic grin, I thought about the things Miles said last night. Now it all made a little more sense. Well, kind of. Miles just got the wrong impression of Zack and me. Maybe I should ask for his number. Shoot him a text and apologize too.
“I should probably apologize to him too.”
“Zack or Adam could probably give you his number,” Lyla offered.
I tilted my head, assessing the look on Zack’s face. I couldn’t get a read on it. Best I could tell, it was a mix between a deer in the headlights and about to barf. But it was gone so quickly, I could have imagined or misunderstood it. It was pretty out of character for what I knew of Zack.
Adam cleared his throat. “Zack can give it to you.” He glanced over with an eyebrow raised. “Right?”
“Yup. No problem.” Zack nodded and took an aggressive bite of his food.
“Were the three of you friends, or just went to school together?” Lyla asked.
“We were all pretty close growing up.” Adam shrugged. “But Zack and I got into sports heavily in high school and Miles…well, he didn’t.”
There was obviously something he wasn’t saying. I cocked a brow, waiting for more.
Adam shrugged. “Not our story to tell.”
I nodded and swallowed as I sensed the mood turning a bit somber between Adam and Zack. Quiet fell around us as we finished eating. It was a bit unnerving. These two were never quiet. Although, I probably should have been grateful for the silent reprieve. Who knew when it would ever happen again.
The waitress delivered the check, and Zack handed her a credit card before any of us even had ours out.
“Dude.” Adam narrowed his eyes. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.”
With a nonchalant shrug, Zack looked over at him. “What’s the point of having money if I’m not going to use it?”
I’d noticed that a lot in the last seven months since I’d started hanging out with this crew.
Zack would either cover the whole check or throw more cash down than he needed to.
It definitely wasn’t my normal experience with guys his age, and I found it interesting.
I didn’t know his whole story, but I knew he came from money.
And if you didn’t already know that tidbit, you never would’ve guessed it.
His affluent behavior seemed to end with him covering the bill.
He didn’t dress or live extravagantly. At least not from what I could tell.
We all thanked Zack and made our way outside to our cars, saying goodbye before splitting off to other ends of the parking lot.
I paused at the bumper of Zack’s Jeep, admiring it. I had always wanted one. His wasn’t brand new, maybe a few years old. And while it was in pristine condition, it also looked like it was well-used.
“Is this new?” I’d seen it a few times in the last month or so, but I could have sworn he had some kind of old classic car too. That one reminded me of the car from Supernatural.
“No.” He shook his head, coming to stand next to me. “But I have a ‘68 Impala too. I drive my Jeep primarily in the winter.”
Oh. That made sense. Higher profile with better clearance under the vehicle and four-wheel-drive were definitely better suited for winter weather around here. I side-eyed him, noticing him studying me, and fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny.
Hesitation swirled in his eyes. “By the way, I stopped by the hospital this morning before coming here.”
I turned toward him, tilting my head, wondering where he was going with this.
“The boy from yesterday is doing well. They’re not seeing any lasting effects as of now, and expect him to make a full recovery.”
My shoulders relaxed and I swallowed thickly. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted.
“That’s amazing.”
“Figured you might want an update.”
I stared at him. Did he get the update just for me? My breakdown last night really must have gotten to him. “Thank you.”
“If you ever want to talk…you know, about the calls that get to you—”
I shook my head. “Thanks, but I won’t.”
He shrugged. “Offer is there regardless.”
“Thanks.” I gave him a quick nod.
He inched closer. “And next time you need to take the edge off…” Those last four words dripped with innuendo, and damn if it didn’t make heat pool low in my belly. “Text me and give me a heads up.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why? You want to offer your services?”
“I aim to please.” His gaze darkened as he leaned close. “Let’s just skip the drunken spectacle next time.”
I tried to hold back the shiver that raced through me. Jesus. I didn’t understand how I could find him so annoying, but my body still seemed to betray me anytime he was around. That just pissed me off even more.
Slamming my hands on my hips, I bit out, “I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
“Oh, Raven.” He leveled me with that annoyingly stupid smirk and the dimples I wanted to hate. “I really like a challenge.”
I shifted closer. “I don’t even like you, so I think that’s one challenge even you don’t want to take.”
He tilted forward, closing the distance. He was so close, his scent invaded my senses. All sunshine and citrus.
“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”
The warmth of his breath sent tingles skating along my skin.
He stepped back, and with one final smirk, turned and climbed up into his Jeep. With a wink, he backed up and left.
Leaving me standing there, turned on and pissed off.