So, I follow Hatley out to the truck and I ignore the way that voice in my head wonders about opening the door while we’re moving.
We pull into a tiny lot I recognize, its parking blocks long gone, its cement turned to gravel with wear, and I whip around to look at the different cars in the lot.
“W-what are we doing here?”
My pulse kicks up when Hatley parks us close to the back and kills the engine.
“Barren Ridge is actually closer to the house.”
My fingers tremble and I grip the wads of fabric already bunched in my fists tighter.
I swallow hard but that doesn’t stop my voice from shaking.
“B-but isn’t there another grocery store?”
Hatley turns to me in his seat with a sheepish smile on his face. “I’m banned there.”
The sound that escapes me is some sort of manic laugh that cuts off quickly. “Ofcourseyou are.”
“C’mon,” Hatley lilts with a tip to his lips and holds up a fist. “Let’s make waves.”
Staring at the offering, I blow out a breath, then bump it with my covered fist.
“Just little ones. Small waves.”
Hatley’s laugh follows us all the way into the store and I justknowthat even if he heard me, he’s gonna ignore me.
We don’t even make it down the first aisle, a basket slung over the crook of his elbow, before he’s throwing boxes backward over his head and in my general direction.
One crashes to the floor at my feet as I fumble with a second one I barely manage to stabilize before he’s chucking another.
“Hatley,” I hiss and tuck one box under my arm to catch the tube of something coming my way. “Do we even need this shit?”
I make the mistake of looking at the tube of …
Lube. It’s fucking lube.
With a squawk, I toss it back at his head.
“Of course we need it. Nobody wants dry ass sex or STD’s, Em.”
ST—
I pull the box from under my arm and promptly drop it.
“Condoms? Hatley!”
With my face on fire, I skirt around the shit on the floor like it’s on fire and run after him.
I’m sweating under the hoodie when I turn the corner and smash right into his back, my hands coming up on instinct.
Except, I don’t get them all the way up in time and end up smushing them between me and—
“Swear you and Ten have a thing for my ass.” He wiggles and I yelp, jumping back. “All you gotta do isask, fool.”
“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry, Hatley.”
He snorts and keeps walking while I stand there with wide eyes and stare at my palms.
