Still looking through the windshield, I just pull in my lips with a sarcastic grin. Then I blink my eyes at him.
“You just what?” I challenge, knowing full well that if he says some shit about not wanting to ever do anything to hurt me, I’m going to light him up in this car. I don’t even know why I’m so angry. All of this was supposed to be behind me.
Lincoln is quiet and looks back at the windshield. It’s crazy how much more mature he looks. How much older. How much… sexier.
It’s honestly annoying, like he saved the best parts of himself for Sarah or whoever else.
The shuttle station pulls up and I try to open the door, but it’s locked. I try finding the unlock latch but can’t. Stupid car is so futuristic. There’s an unlocking sound and I look over at Lincoln, who smiles softly at me. I don’t smile back.
Rolling my eyes, I get out.
I sit at the station, feeling the cool air on my face. I only have an overshirt, and I’m holding it around my arms. God, I’m so sleepy.
My home is about 20 minutes away driving distance.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Lincoln asks.
“I’m fine. Go be with Sarah,” I say as I bury my face in my phone screen, trying my best not to look at him.
His car pulls off slowly, almost reluctantly. There’s a pit forming in my stomach, growing into a larger chasm the farther his car pulls away and turns around the corner. Those old tears start making an appearance, but I don’t let them fall.
After about ten minutes, I feel a warm body beside me.
It’s a total stranger, but I welcome the warmth. I don’t make eye contact because that would be weird.
“Where’s your jacket?” the deep voice asks.
My eyes blink open wider as I look to my left to see Lincoln sitting right there next to me on the bench as close as possible. Instinctively, I shuffle over to the right, leaving about half a foot between us.
Lincoln peels off his dress coat and starts to put it around me. I shrug it off.
“Lincoln, I said I don’t need your help. I mean I appreciate you posting my bail.”
“Yeah you’re a full-on criminal now,” he smiles.
Usually I would give him a smile, but call me crazy, I’m not in the mood. My eyes cut away from him and I concentrate on my phone.
“You get cold very easily. Take the jacket.”
“That’s not your concern,” I say without looking at him.
“Take the jacket and I’ll stop bothering you.”
“Yeah because all that matters is that you get what you want right?” I argue.
“Goddamnit Gabrielle. I just want you to not get cold.”
“It’s not about what youwant, Lincoln. I don’twantanything from you. I really don’t.”
“Okay… but don’t be afraid to—”
I stand up, cutting him off. “I really just want you to leave me alone. Honestly.”
“I’m not leaving you alone at a fucking shuttle station right after you got out of jail.”
I roll my eyes and start walking away from the shuttle station.
“Gabrielle,” he calls out, rising to follow me. “I’m trying to help.”
