“Understood.”
I turned my attention back to the road, and while I had a hundred things I could’ve said, I remained silent. In fact, I didn’t say another word until we pulled up to her place and were standing at her front door.
The porch light illuminated her beautiful face, and when she looked up at me with those big, soulful eyes, it nearly knocked me off my feet.
She studied me for a moment.
And I mean studied, like she was trying to find the right words to say, weighing the consequences, and testing the air to see if it’s safe to say whatever’s on her mind. For a half second, I thought she was actually going to say it.
But then, she sighed and said, “Thanks for driving me home.”
“No problem.” I handed her the keys to her car, and as she took them from my hand, I told her, “If you ever need anything, you know where to reach me.”
“Thanks.” She hesitated, then asked, “Wait? How are you getting home?”
I motioned my head toward the street, and her worried expression softened when she spotted the black truck idling at the end of the drive. “I got a ride.”
“Okay, good. Hope you have a good one, and thanks again!”
“You too, Presley.”
Without saying anything more, I turned and started down the walk. I hadn’t gotten far when she muttered, “He’s not who you think he is.”
I stopped and turned around just in time to see her close the door, leaving me wondering if she’d really said anything or if my mind was just playing tricks on me. I shook it off and continued out to the truck. My eyes were still trained on the house when Rusty asked, “You good?”
I didn’t answer. I just gave him a simple nod. He gave me a moment, then asked, “Ready to head back?”
Again, I just nodded.
Without further questioning, he eased off the curb and drove out of the subdivision. After some time had passed, Rusty turned to me and asked, “So, am I mistaken, or was that Davis’s girlfriend?”
“Wasis the operative word.”
“Oh?”
“It’s done.” I shot him a quick glance. “She ended things.”
That earned me a look. “You happy about that?”
“Now, why would I be happy about that?”
“She seemed pretty friendly with you tonight, and you with her.”
“I was just making sure she was okay.”
“I see. I guess I got it wrong.”
“I guess you did.”
Rusty nodded once, like that was all the answer he needed, and the conversation was done. He turned his attention back to the road and said nothing more. As soon as we pulled up to the clubhouse, we both got out, and Rusty started toward the back door.
“You coming?”
“Nah. I think I’m gonna call it.”
“Suit yourself.”
He opened the door, and the sound of music and laughter spilled out. I walked over to my bike, swung my leg over the seat, and once I slipped on my helmet, I fired up the engine and was on my way.
