‘Fine, but he’s fired.’
‘Good,’ is her terse response.
‘Are you hurt?’ I ask, unable to stop myself from glancing over her to check.
‘No, I’m …’ Cherry unfolds her arms, sinking back into the seat and threading her arms into my jacket, fully wearing it now. I fight the smug grin that wants to break out knowing her scent will be all over it. ‘I’m just shaken. He only grabbed me. It didn’t go any further. But I feel, I don’t know … sostupidfor trusting him and—’ a sob escapes from her, my chest cracking open at the sound and the silver brimming in her eyes ‘—for freezing. I—Ishould’ve fought back more, should’ve stood up for myself better, but I just ran and—’
‘Hey.’ I reach out for her, stroking her silky hair to cradle her head. I keep my thumb rubbing at the base of her skull, hoping I can caress away her tears. ‘Look at me.’
Glistening eyes flutter up to meet mine. I keep flicking my gaze between her and the road ahead, but don’t miss the way the moon highlights the long column of her throat working.
‘You arenotstupid. You’re the smartest girl – no, person – I know, Cherry. You could move mountains, I’m telling you. And just because you’re goddamn beautiful doesn’t mean anyone is allowed to touch you without your consent. It isneveryour fault. You got that?’
She nods, lips popping open. ‘You – you think I’m beautiful?’
‘I …’Ah fuck. I thought I’d gotten away with that slipping out. I’m hoping the darkness filling my truck cab is enough to hide the heat tingling along my cheeks. I slowly retract my hand from her head, placing it on the wheel. ‘Yes, yes I do.’
Out of the corner of my eye – because I couldn’t possibly face her as I admitted such – I see her nibble on her thumbnail. She does that when she’s nervous, I’ve learnt, or is thinking intently.
‘To be fair, he’s the one who gothurt,technically.’ Tucking her legs up beneath her, Cherry snorts. ‘I kneed him in the balls. Told you I knew self-defence.’
Chuckling, I’m all too grateful for the quick redirection of the conversation. ‘You have a habit of doing that, don’t you?’
‘Oh, shut up.’ She waves me off. ‘That was half your fault anyway for being just as clumsy as me.’
‘I blame the hot-pink skates.’ I flash her a grin.
‘Or your clown feet,’ she counters.
Still, her smile lasts barely five seconds before she twists in her seat to rest her head against the window and stare out at the passing scenery. We finally zoom off the highway and make our way towards the familiar country roads filled with too many memories. Snow-tipped peaks of the shadowy mountains are faintly illuminated by the glowing moon in the distance, acting as Willow Ridge’s north star.
‘Please don’t tell Wyatt,’ Cherry pipes up again.
‘Cherry, he’s your brother. I can’t lie to him. He’s my best fr—’
‘Please, Duke.’ Her fingers land on my forearm. The hairs on my arm stand to attention as the tips of her long red nails faintly graze my skin. ‘I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’d also like my brother to not end up in jail. It’s my story to tell once I’ve processed everything. At least then I can stop it from becoming the town’s gossip.’
‘Okay, okay,’ I groan.
‘Promise?’ Her fingers pulse against my arm.
‘Promise.’Anything for you, Baby Hensley.My eyes briefly leave the road to catch hers, which are finally glistening with a bit more hope.‘Now, let’s get you home.’
‘No.’ Now her fingers wrap around my arm, reminding me of too many recent dreams of her slender fingers digging into my skin … ‘I can’t go home.’
‘Why not?’
Cherry’s gaze reaches beyond me, somewhere out ofthe driver’s side window where her thoughts must lie. She worries her lip and finally loosens her grip on my arm. Though, her fingers still rest there, hand moving with my arm as I shift and turn the wheel, like she’s more stable when we’re connected.
I know the feeling.
‘I was supposed to be staying at Montana’s. If I go home, my parents will wonder why I’m back and start asking questions and … I’m just not ready to talk about it yet.’
‘Okay … So, should I take you to Montana’s, then?’
‘Um …’
‘That’s not an answer, Cherry.’
