Halfway out, I turn back and bow, laughing. Then I sign again.
Father of the year.
I straighten as he tosses the keys into my hand.
“You forgot the keys,” he says, without amusement.
He knows he fucked up. And he knows that between Simona and me, we both have him trapped.
I get into the car and drive off. All I want now is to lie in my own bed and forget about all of this. Whatever they are. Whatever they have.
The car pulls into the driveway, and I park in front of the house. It’s already nine in the morning, and I have no idea where the time went. Laughter drifts from near the garage. I ignore it until I cross the middle garden and hear Carmen’s voice.
I stop.
She is standing there on a black Harley-Davidson with Knox.
I never liked him. Not ever since we were kids. Catherine always forced me to hang out with him because he is the son of her childhood friend Lucas. He always wanted everything I had. Now he wants Carmen, too.
I move closer and lean against the garage, watching them.
She laughs at something he says, some lame joke about how the bike is tamer than it looks. His hand rests too comfortably on the handlebar, his body angled toward hers.
She flips her hair and looks up at him. He notices me, but she doesn’t.
Knox pulls her closer, cups her cheek, and leans down to kiss her, but I step forward, and she finally sees me.
“Judas,” she says, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
I shrug. My jaw tightens. My lower lip twitches and settles again.
“Catherine called her friend to give me lessons,” she says, excited. “I am starting driving school on Friday.”
Her words fade into nothing as Knox looks straight at me and smirks. His hand drops onto her shoulder. Something inside my chest snaps. My heart starts racing, so fast my legs barely keep up.
I walk toward the bike. Knox tracks every step. I reach under Carmen’s arm and pull her off the Harley.
“What the fuck, Judas?” she shouts, stumbling, then shoving me.
My brows knit together as I step into her space. I grab her arm and pull her toward me, then shift her behind me.
“Bro, I get it,” Knox laughs. “See you on Friday, Carmen.”
He starts the engine, his bike growling behind us. He rolls it forward and disappears down the driveway. And as soon as she sees him gone, she shoves me again.
“Are you fucking crazy?” she yells. “What is wrong with you?”
My eyelid twitches. I roll my eyes and pull my phone from my pocket, typing fast before shoving the screen toward her face.
I can teach you how to drive, little sister. No need to slut around with Knox.
“Slut around?” She pushes me hard. “Are you jealous?”
I shake my head.
“You can’t give me a license, asshole. I did this for you.” She shoves past me, walking behind my back.
I grab her hand and pull her toward me as she turns. I type again and hold the screen up.
