Chapter 13
Derek
She was fucking adorable. I know I’m a guy and I shouldn’t even know that words likeadorableexist, let alone what they mean, but fuck me, sitting there with a pout on her lips, her hair wet, her eyes wide, and her clothes just damp enough that they were clinging to her in all the right places, there were no other words. I’d been hanging out with Zoe too long. I might as well cash in my man card right now.
Forcing my thoughts off the feisty blonde beside me, I fired up the truck, switched on the heat, and spun the tyres on the gravel and headed back to the city. Tonight had been hard. Fucking hard. In more ways than one. Since all the shit went down, I hadn’t spoken about any of it. Not really. I mean, I’d gone to a couple of the mandated counselling sessions, but as soon as I could I’d left the police force and gotten as far away from the experts as possible. I didn’t need some shrink who charged a buttload to tell me what happened was screwed up. Fuck, that’s why I was there. It was more than screwed up. More like it was fucked up beyond belief. But telling Mia, it felt good. Like it wasn’t all on me anymore.
I drove slowly. I couldn’t tell you if it was because of the weather, or because I had precious cargo on board, or even if it was because I just didn’t want this night to end. Hell, it might be all of it, it didn’t matter.
“Mia,” I broke the silence. I didn’t want to but I needed a favour.
“Yeah?” She looked at me with wide Bambi eyes and I knew I was in trouble. Big fucking trouble. With one look this chick brought me to my knees.
“Can you maybe not say anything to Zoe about…well, you know?”
“Of course.”
Feeling the need to explain, I continued. “She’s had a shitty run. And honestly, this week is the first time she’s even started to look like she was making progress. I mean, for the first time she actually left the house voluntarily. I didn’t have to drag her out the door kicking and screaming.”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely! I just don’t want to undo any of the progress. Does that make sense at all?”
“It does. And honestly, Derek, you don’t have to worry. I won’t say anything to her.”
“Thanks.”
I couldn’t help it, or maybe I could have, I just didn’t want to hold back a second longer. I reached out and squeezed her thigh. I should have pulled my hand back, but being the asshole I was, I didn’t. Instead I left it there. After a handful of heartbeats, I felt Mia’s tiny hand settle on mine. Stealing a glance at her, she was looking out the window away from me, completely relaxed. My hand wasn’t moving anytime soon.
Mia drifted off not long after and I drove in silence, our conversation replaying in my head. Although I was glad I told her, part of me wished that she’d offered up some titbit about her own life. Something to even the score. Not that keeping score was important, it just would have made me feel, I don’t know, less like a pussy. I dumped some pretty heavy shit on her tonight, I just wished she given something up too.
“Whatcha thinking so hard about over there?” she asked, her voice thick with sleep.
Shrugging off the heavy thoughts, I didn’t want this night to end. At least not that way. Not when I’d already made the decision I wanted another one like it. At least another one. Hopefully many more after that. But not some bullshit drive either. A proper date.
“How cute your snore is.”
“I don’t snore!” she protested, full of indignation.
Riled up, Mia was a sight to behold. Straightening in her seat, I finally let go of her leg and dragged my hand back over to my side of the cab. I didn’t like it over here.
“Yeah, sweetheart, you do.”
“Muph!” she growled, folding her arms over her chest.
“So, now we’re back in the city, want to tell me where I’m going so I can take you home, Cinderella?”
“Funny boy.”
“I try.”
“Try harder.” She poked her tongue out and my dick twitched. Arguing with her was turning out to be more entertaining than anyone could imagine.
Twenty minutes later I pulled up in front of her place and I was reluctantly saying good bye. It was still raining, so we were sitting in the car, chatting about nothing, really. Arguing about the song on the radio, which football team was better, and the latest celeb scandal. It was like I’d always known this girl. Truth be told, it scared the ever-loving shit out of me.
“Do you miss it?”
“Miss what?”
