Page 95 of Love at First Ride
I stiffen. I didn’t know that, and there’s no denying it hurts that AJ was there. A janitor heard me banging on the door after hours that day, stuck in a stifling cupboard without windows, water or a phone on what had been a stifling hot day.
Chase is looking between us. ‘Oh ooh!’ he exclaims. ‘Looks like that’s news to your girl!’
Nicole and Balthazar have been whispering to one another. I raise my eyes as she gets to her feet and takes Balthazar by the hand.
‘Where you two going?’ Chase grunts.
‘This conversation is getting boring,’ Nicole announces. ‘We’ll be right back.’
She leads Balthazar away from the fire, into the darkness.
‘Gross,’ Chase scoffs under his breath. ‘We all know what you’re gonna do!’ he shouts after them.
Left with AJ and Chase, suddenly I don’t want to be here anymore.
‘So, Hollie,’ Chase says.
‘No more high school talk,’ AJ cuts in.
‘Jeez,’ Chase responds. ‘You people are no fun.’
We lapse into silence. On the other side of the small campfire, Chase skewers another marshmallow and dangles it close to the flames. I sip my soda, but it tastes bitter on my tongue. I swallow it down, but my throat constricts.
‘We should prolly head back soon,’ AJ says tightly.
‘Whatever,’ Chase sulks.
In the next silence that follows, we can hear the cicadas, and in the distance, on the breeze, some faint moans and groans.
It’s around ten-thirty when we make it back to Rapture. I maneuver myself off the back of AJ’s bike after he’s cut the engine, then remove my helmet. Rock music emanates from the inside of Scotch & Smoke. Rows of motorcycles are parked outside but I know there are no college kids from Canyon here tonight.
Chase gets out of his truck. ‘You guys wanna go get a beer? Maybe shoot some pool? Hey, Palmer, how ’bout a rematch?’
AJ comes up behind me, putting his arm around my waist. ‘You wanna just head upstairs?’ he whispers in my ear.
I turn my head toward his. ‘Actually, I might head home,’ I say quietly.
Behind me, I feel him stiffen, like he wasn’t expecting that response. ‘Stay with me,’ I hear him say.
I want to tell him about the squall of emotion churning in my stomach right now. The memories of my unpleasant experiences in high school bubbling to the surface of my brain, so clear I can remember them as though they were yesterday.
‘I…’ I begin, not sure how to put any of that into words. ‘I’m tired. It’s been a long day.’
‘So, sleep here. With me.’
In his arms, I turn to face him. ‘It’s warm in your room. I think… I think I need some AC.’
He goes quiet. In the darkness of the Scotch & Smoke parking lot, it’s difficult to gauge his reaction.
‘But I’ll see you soon, all right?’ I add lightly, then lean forward, brushing a kiss against his cheek.
Once more he says nothing. I reach for my keys.
‘Walk me to my car?’ I ask.
It’s a short distance. I say goodbye to Nicole and Balthazar. Chase is nowhere to be seen. Still, AJ doesn’t say a word. When I open the driver’s side door, he lingers behind me.
I can’t force him to communicate. I think he senses I want to be alone. I switch on the engine and offer the man who I now know once witnessed me getting locked in a supply closet a half-hearted smile. It’s enough to mask the hurt that I feel on the inside.
