Page 28 of What We Knew Then
Leo’s voice is gentle when he says, “Okay, now you’re going to have to be stealthy. Don’t let your dad catch the new guy, okay?” He talks to me like he’s coaxing a child, and I listen, because he's right.
Chapter 17
LANE
“You’regoodtodrive?”Troy’s question stings, but I get it.
“I had one beer,” I reply, clicking my seatbelt into place.
He pulls out his phone. “Just sent you the address. It’s not far. Once you’re done, come meet us at the beach. Yeah?”
I nod, still a bit surprised I’m included. The guys head off toward the beach. I shift the car into drive and let the navigation guide me to Cora’s. To mycoach’shouse.
Cora sighs beside me, arms wrapped around herself. I reach over and turn on the heat. Before I can pull my hand away, she leans forward and shuts it off.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re shivering,” I argue, glancing over.
“You get a gold star for observation,” she mutters, looking back out the window. “I said I’m fine.”
Her voice has a sharp edge which means she’d rather argue than admit anything.
“Fine,” I huff, letting the word fall flat. “Suffer, then.”
She turns her head, shooting me a glare. “You’re impossible.”
"Whatever you say... but you need me.” The words fill the space between us. I love pushing her buttons.
Her head whips toward me. “You. Wish.”
I lightly press on the break, coming to a complete stop at the red light. Using the opportunity, I turn and lock my eyes on hers. “No, I thinkyouwish. Especially after being out with whoever the fuck that was.”
“You don’t know anything about him.” Cora sits back in the seat but keeps her eyes on me.
I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to turn green. “The guys knew enough. They filled me in.” At the mention of the rest of the team, the people she views as friends, she doesn’t say anything else. From my peripheral, I can see her turning forward, watching the road in front of us.
She may not trust me but I know she trusts them. I bet it irks her that they seem to be on my side with this.
Her jaw works, stubborn as always. “Maybe I wanted a drink. Some company.”
I huff out a laugh. “Company? That guy looked like he couldn’t carry a conversation even if it came with directions.”
Cora sidesteps my jab. “I’m allowed to have fun. Go out,” she grumbles to only herself. The words are quiet and small and she’s still looking forward.
“Well, doesn’t look like you had much fun tonight. You forget... I know what you look like when you’re actually having fun.” Each letter is clear and emphasized on my lips.
She lets out a laugh, one that bounces between the windows. “You’re awfully full of yourself, aren’t you?
I push my bottom lip through my teeth. “You’d know about being full of me, huh?” The smirk that hits my mouth is one I can’t stop. It's her fault—she set me up for this one.
Shaking her head, Cora says nothing but crosses her arms even tighter across her chest.
I turn left and I'm on her street. She tells me to stop a few houses down; once the car stops, she’s opening the door and getting out before I can put it in park.
Following her with my hands in my pockets, she stops when she realizes I'm in step alongside her. “Can I help you?” she questions.
“Get to whatever house is yours so I can get the hell out of here,” I say, looking around, knowing we’re close.
