“Thank you.”
I stiffen as he pulls me in for a hug, the blast of a car horn prompting me to step back.
“Well, see you Tuesday. Have a good evening. And sorry, again.”
He glances across the road. “You too.”
I stuff my frozen hands into my coat pockets and trot over to Lane’s car. Inside, I tug on my seat belt and turn to my driver, arms folded across my chest. Lane stares straight ahead, even when I clear my throat three times. I’m over waiting, so I decide to break the heavy silence.
“What the hell was that?”
My tone spurs him into action but not the way I planned. He turns on the ignition, revs his engine, and pulls out into the road.
“You better open that mouth of yours, or I’m getting out at the next corner.”
He breathes in, his gaze landing on mine. He opens his mouth wide. Just when I think he’s about to say something, he stops and presses his lips shut tight.
“Oh, I get it!” I slap my knee. “Hilarious.”
A traffic jam forces him to stop. Time to teach this guy a lesson and make good on my promise. I unbuckle my belt, yanking on the door handle, struggling to get it open. No matter how hard I try, it won’t budge.
“Unlock it!” I snarl.
But he doesn’t say a word. I end up giving up, deciding to sulk instead.
When we get to his building, I hop onto the sidewalk and spring up the stairs.There’s no way he’s getting away with this!I toss my bag by the couch and freeze in the middle of the living room waiting for him.Stepping inside, Lane throws his keys on the table and vanishes down the hall that leads to his bedroom without giving me a second glance.
You have got to be kidding me.
“Is this a fucking joke?” I shout into the silence.
Fine. If he wants to play hardball, I’m game. My heels click as I make my way across the apartment, shoving open his bedroom door, wincing as it bangs against the wall. Lane is sitting in an armchair, elbows resting on his knees, his shoulders heaving like he just ran the whole way home.
“I demand an explanation! You embarrassed the hell out of me back there. If you think I’m going to let you off the hook that easily, think again, buddy.”
He keeps his eyes locked on the ground, tapping the floor with his foot. He reaches over to the desk to grab his headphones, shoving them over his ears. Before he can get his phone out and start the music, I whip the headphones off his head and toss them onto his bed.
“Ready when you are.” I cross my arms.
He gets up and scoots over to the mattress, reaching over the pillow for his headphones.
“If you think I’m giving up…” I huff, throwing myself down on the bed beside him and pinning him down with an elbow to his shoulder blade. He growls and puts his palm against my cheek in an attempt to shove me off, but there’s no placating me, and we begin to tussle, him trying to push me off, me hopping forward and half landing on his back before scrambling over his head. I’m this close to winning when Lane rolls over. I grab his shoulder as I feel myself slipping sideways, but my back still slams into the ground—and then a heavy body crashes down on top of me, finishing the job.
“Help!” I choke out, gasping for air. The pressure eases a little, and as I widen my eyes, I see Lane’s face hovering right above me.
I try kicking my legs, but his are pinning mine down. With his hands cupping either side of my head, he stares down at me, brows drawn.
“I win,” he whispers, not moving an inch.
“No, I win,” I counter, scowling back at him.
“I’m on top, you’re on bottom. I definitely win.”
“I got you to speak, though.”
His mouth twists. I lift my hips, trying to shove him off. Correction: I manage a pathetic little wiggle, totally pinned by his weight.
“Get off me!” I gasp, breathless, squirming again.
