Chapter 17 #2
“Don’t be a dick. Let me help you.” I hoist both our bags over my shoulder. I draw the line at trying to help him to his feet. Not only because I don’t want to get sick, but I don’t want to start any rumours around campus if anyone sees us.
He follows me out of the library, and we cross the quad towards the stadium car park.
“Where are your keys?” I ask as we draw closer to his car.
“I’m fine.”
“Where are your keys?” I repeat, fixing him with a stern look. “As your captain, I’m not risking you passing out behind the wheel.”
“You’re not driving my car.”
I huff a laugh. “Well, you’re not getting on the back of my bike in your condition.”
He rolls his eyes. “I told you, I’m fine.”
“Shut up, Kincaid. Just give me your keys. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Zac stares at me for a beat before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his keys.
I snatch them from him before he can change his mind, unlock the car, and slide into the driver’s seat. He trudges around to the passenger side and slides in as I’m tossing our bags into the back, narrowing his eyes as he pulls the door shut.
“You better not put a scratch on her.”
“Relax,” I say with a chuckle, turning the key in the ignition. The car rumbles to life, and I reverse out. The clutch is heavier than I’m used to, but it doesn’t take me long to get the hang of it. “Where do you live?”
The only conversation for the ten-minute drive to his place consists of him mumbling directions as he fights to stay awake in the passenger seat. When I pull up in his driveway, I turn off the ignition, but neither of us moves.
“I guess I need a few more days of bed rest,” he says with a sigh.
“Looks like it,” I agree with a chuckle.
He stares at his house as if he’s trying to gather the energy to get out of the car.
Before I can second-guess my actions, I push open my door and round the car to open his.
He looks at my offered hand for a second, then takes it, letting me help him out.
I retrieve both our bags from the backseat and walk behind him as he shuffles to the front door.
Zac leans against the house as I slide his key into the lock. The sound of footsteps approaching sounds from the other side as I push open the door.
His sister greets us, a concerned frown on her face as she signs something to him.
He groans and shakes his head, moving for the stairs while I hover in the entrance.
After tripping over the first step, I rush over and swing his arm over my shoulder.
“Come on, big guy.” The joke is heavy on my tongue. “Let’s get you into bed.”
I know he must feel really bad when he doesn’t fight me off, sinking his weight into me as I half-carry him up the stairs.
Light footsteps behind us let me know his sister is following.
When we get to the landing, I hesitate, not knowing where his bedroom is, but she squeezes past, and I follow her.
His scent hits me like a blow to the solar plexus when we enter Zac’s bedroom, and I draw in a sharp breath.
Combined with the way he’s leaning against me, I’m in my own personal nightmare.
We stagger to the bed, and I pull back the covers before letting him go.
He collapses onto the mattress, and I draw the blankets over him.
“Rest up, Kincaid,” I mutter, patting him on the shoulder, feeling the weight of his sister’s gaze on my back.
Sure enough, when I turn around, she’s watching me with a wary look on her face.
Fuck. This is awkward as fuck.
I don’t know sign language, but I feel terrible just walking out without saying anything to her.
I rub the back of my neck, trying to figure out what to do.
My phone chooses that moment to buzz in my pocket, and I nearly faint with relief. Pulling it out, I ignore the text from Jasper asking if I’ll be home for dinner and open the notes app.
I tap out a message, then hold my phone out to Zac’s sister.
Her brow furrows as she reads it.
I’m Noah. Zac’s team captain. He almost passed out in the library, so I drove him home.
Short. Simple. To the point.
She glances up at me, then taps out her reply.
I know who you are. He let YOU drive his car?
The laugh bursts from my lips before I can stop it.
Not by choice. But she drives like a dream.
The petite blonde who shares Zac’s eyes scowls at me, which only makes me laugh more. I like her. She types furiously before handing my phone back to me.
Hand over the keys. I’ll drive you home.
I shake my head, not ready to die on that hill. Even I know how protective Zac is of his precious car.
No can do, kiddo. I’ll get my housemate to pick me up.
Her scowl deepens. I hold out my hand for my phone, but a sly smile crosses her lips, and she tucks it behind her back. She holds out her other hand for Zac’s keys.
Not a chance.
Our friendship is shaky at best. If I let his sister drive his pride and joy, and something happens, it will be my arse on the line. Not to mention, it isn’t the easiest car to drive, and she doesn’t look old enough to have had her licence long.
Faking her out with a step to the left, I pivot to my right and pluck the phone from her grasp. She tries to get it back from me, but I hold it out of reach.
Opening my messages, I shoot off a text to Jasper before turning back to Zac’s sister. I tap out another message and show it to her.
Here’s the deal, mini Kincaid. When your brother’s feeling better, I’ll convince him to let you take it for a spin, but not tonight, and not by yourself.
She folds her arms across her chest with a huff, but when I shoot her a pointed look, she nods. With a grin, I guide her out of Zac’s bedroom and downstairs to wait for my housemate.
While we wait, I’m surprised to learn she can talk.
She didn’t lose her hearing until her teens, but even though she can communicate, she was testing me out upstairs.
Since I seem to have passed, I get her to teach me some basic signs, and I actually have fun hanging out with her.
So much fun, that when I escape to my room after dinner, I find myself going down a rabbit hole of Auslan videos, trying to learn all I can.