"Stop thinking so loud," he mutters.
"I'm not?—"
"Your scent's all over the place." He doesn't look at me. Keeps his eyes on the road. "I can practically hear you spiraling."
I don't answer. Can't.
When he pulls up in front of my house, I see Ben's truck in the driveway. Lights on in the garage. He's home, working late like usual.
Which means he has no idea where I've been. Who I've been with.
At least, not yet.
"Yeah." I unbuckle my seatbelt, reach for the door handle. "Thanks for dinner. And the conversation."
"Anytime." His dark eyes hold mine. "Bea?"
I pause. "Yeah?"
"Stop running." His voice is rough. Serious. "From the alley. From River. From whatever this is. You can't figure it out if you keep running."
The words settle heavy in my chest. "I'm not?—"
"You are." He leans slightly toward me. Close enough that I can smell him properly—ink and leather and something darker. "You ran from me three days ago. You ran from River tonight. And you're about to run from this conversation."
He's right. I hate that he's right.
"I don't know how not to run," I admit quietly.
"Then learn." His hand moves—almost touches my face, then drops. "Because whatever's happening between all of us? It's not going away just because you're scared of it."
I nod, not trusting my voice, and climb out of the truck.
But I barely make it three steps toward the house before the garage door opens and Ben emerges, wiping his hands on a rag.
He takes one look at Grayson's truck. At me. Then grins.
Oh no.
"Bea. Inside." His voice is way too cheerful. "I need to have a word with your friend here."
"Ben—"
"Inside, little sister." Still grinning. But his eyes have that protective glint. "Now."
I look at Grayson. He's leaning against his truck, completely relaxed, almost smiling.
"Don't kill him," I tell Ben.
"No promises." Ben's still got that terrifying cheerful smile.
I shoot Grayson an apologetic look and bolt for the house.
Behind me, I hear Ben's voice drop. "So. You're the tattoo artist..."
I don't wait to hear the rest.
Inside, I kick off my shoes and beeline for the stairs.
