Chapter 10
Mia
I wasn’t an idiot. I knew Derek wanted to say something. Break the silence. I knew I should say something too, but I didn’t know what I was supposed to say. I don’t remember the last time I was alone with a guy. The moment I settled in the car and closed the door, my heart bolted, taking my mind with it. It was too much. Too many thoughts all at once. It was too much for anyone to deal. Especially me. Instead, I said nothing. I focused all of my attention out the window trying to look blasé. I knew it was stupid and childish, but I didn’t know what else to do.
“You okay over there?”
His deep voice shocked me. I’d seen him open his mouth a few times and had been waiting for him to say something but it never came, so when he finally did, he caught me completely off guard.
“Y-yeah,” I stammered, my throat suddenly drier than the Sahara.
“Those thoughts look pretty heavy. Need some strong shoulders to help carry the load?”
Spinning in my seat, the seatbelt almost strangled me. How the fuck did he know? I hadn’t said anything. Earlier, he’d seen me act like a complete idiot ranting and raving at the television, then I’d gorged myself like a pig before going silent on him. Yet here he was, seemingly unrepulsed and reading my mind.
“It’s okay, Mia. You don’t have to talk, but you look like you need someone to listen.”
“I’m…I’ll…it’s…fine.” Could I be any more pathetic? I really didn’t think so. I squeezed my hands together so tightly it hurt. But it was a good hurt?it distracted me. It slowed the thoughts bouncing around inside my head. Glancing down in my lap, I noticed the tip of my thumb was turning white under the pressure. Derek must have noticed because his huge paw clamped down and swallowed my hand in his.
I waited for him to pull away.
He never did.
He just held tight as he turned the corner.
He punched a few buttons on the steering wheel. I was surprised a few seconds later when the sound of a ringing of the phone filled the cabin. I hadn’t even noticed the Bluetooth connection.
“Derek, my man!”
“Hey Jason.”
“What’s happening? You on your way?”
“Actually, something’s come up.”
There was an authority in his voice that I didn’t recognize. It was intimidating as hell. It left no room for argument, but strangely enough, it made me feel safe. For a long time, nothing had. No one had. I didn’t like being bossed around or told what to do. I was always in control. In the driver’s seat. I didn’t do passenger well. And I was the worst backseat driver you could imagine. I mean, you wouldn’t wish me on your worst enemy. There was something about Derek, though. Something I didn’t quite understand. Fuck me, I wanted to. Perhaps that’s why I felt so protective of Zoe. We were cut from the same cloth.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Zoe?”
“She’s okay.”
“All right then.”
“Will I see you tomorrow?” I could hear the hope in his voice. Derek must be bloody good at his job. I couldn’t imagine being able to ring your boss barely half an hour before you were supposed to start just to say you weren’t coming, and them barely saying two words about it. It was odd.
“I’ll be there.”
“Okay then.”
“Thanks.”
“Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will,” Derek lied as he hung up. I knew he had no intentions of asking for help. It was written all over his stoic face.
