Ellie’s gaze finds mine, but instead of seeing gratefulness or even a tiny smile, she’s wearing a blank expression. As if I’m not doing her a favor by speaking up and welcoming her back. I mean, I have the final say since I’m the one who technically kicked her off in the first place. I hadn’t meant to do it for real. I didn’t know she’d take it so seriously.
“As long as there’s no drama and everyone can get along,” Tanner says, staring at me, with what I know is his warning glare. “Then I don’t see an issue.”
“Thank you,” Ellie says, smiling at Tanner like he’s her fucking savior.
Everyone starts scrambling, heading out to grab food.
Ellie speed walks toward the exit and I stride after her. “Ellie, wait.”
“I need to get my stuff,” she says over her shoulder, not slowing down. She may be short compared to me, but she’s a fast walker.
“Wait a damn minute would you,” I bite out, reaching out and tugging her back by her elbow.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure it can wait.” She attempts to break free. I don’t let go, and she gives up. “Fine, what?”
I drop her arm and cross mine over my chest. “You’re welcome.”
Her brows pinch together tightly. “For?”
I jerk my head behind us. “What just happened back there.” Did she forget already?
She glances behind me, working out what I’m talking about. When it hits her, she purses her lips into a snarky little grin. “You want me to thank you?” Her head tilts to the ceiling and she barks out a laugh, not waiting for my answer. She folds over, clutching her stomach, laughing hysterically.
My blood starts to heat up. “Something funny?”
She straightens, her laughter cutting off just as fast as it came. “Holy shit, you’re serious.”
“I could keep you off the bus,” I state, then internally kick myself. What the fuck am I doing? I want her back on the bus. I’ve done everything but drop to my knees and beg her. I sent her goddamn donuts trying to show her how sorry I was. I didn’t even get a ‘thank you.’ Instead, she brought them to rehearsal the next day and passed them out to the guys, taking ‘thanks’ that should’ve been mine.
Yet, here I am being a dick for no reason. Just because I like getting under her skin. Her fire gets me hot.
She leans in, jabbing a finger into my chest. “You’re a dick.”
With one quick check behind us to make sure everyone cleared the building, I snatch her wrist, dragging her into my body and getting in her face. Her scent invades my senses, and I breathe it in. Her closeness brings a familiar feeling filtering through me that I try not to think too hard about. “No, but I have a dick, and he misses you.”
Her nostrils flare as she tries to pull away. “Let me go,” she grits.
“I can’t.” But as the words leave my lips, I drop her hand like it’s on fire and step back. I clear my throat, eyes shifting away from hers. “I’ll see you on the bus,” I say, then walk as fast as I can out of the building. The crisp air slams into myface, and I desperately suck it in, trying to fill my tightening lungs.
What the shit was that? I meant it sexually, not any other way. Surely she knows that.
I just meant…fuck.
Ellie’s beingweird as shit. She’s been back on the bus exactly one day and hasn’t said a single word to me. That’s not the weird part, though. Normally she works at the kitchen table or the main living area on her laptop or phone. Of course, the table is slightly broken after the events of my arrest but it’s still usable. Yet, she’s stayed hidden in her bunk away from everyone. She rarely hides there unless she’s taking a nap. I’ve wanted to sneak back there and see what her problem is, but I probably already know. Me.
I sit next to Liam on the couch. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Have you talked to Ellie lately?”
He eyes me warily. “No.”
“I think you should. I think something’s bothering her.”
He frowns. “Then why don’t you talk to her?”
I give him a look that should state the obvious.Because I’m the problem.
