‘Yeah!’ A cheer pours from Ryker’s mouth. ‘Now you get it.’
The truck picks up speed and I change to fifth. Sweat drips from my brow and my fingers are numb from clenching the steering wheel. Ryker grips his seat, staring out the back window.
‘Go, Little Suspect, go!’ His laughter booms through the truck.
I’m going to kill him later. While he’s having the time of his life, sweat is trickling down my back and I’m having my tenth heart attack in an hour. Not even a surprise geometry test makes me this stressed. I turn another corner and see a driveway hidden by tall trees. I whip the truck in and put it in park. We both stare out the rear window with bated breath, watching as the security car drives right past us and turns down the street.
I exhale, slumping back.
Collapsing into his seat, Ryker clutches his stomach, laughing so hard he shakes.
‘Shit,’ he sighs. ‘That was epic. You might not be able to back the ’stang out of the driveway, but you could win big at The Lost Tropics.’
I open my door and step out, my legs wobbling beneath me. My hands reach out to grip the doorframe before I collapse like a puddle. Fast as lightning, Ryker’s by my side, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and holding me up. I didn’t even hear him leave the car.
‘I got you, Gianna,’ he says gently.
That jolt of energy hits me again, a fission of electricity snapping at my skin. My heart is pounding – from his touch or the car chase, I’m not sure – but I lean into his chest, liking how he feels. His warmth makes those Pop Rocks erupt in my stomach again.
I glance up. He’s more than a foot taller than me, so my neck feels like it could snap. He gently brushes a few curls from my face, the strands stuck to my lip gloss.
A wave of …somethingpours down my spine. A quiet hum fills up my body, and I think he feels it too.
He’s Jace’s best friend.
So why can’t I stop my heart from dancing around my chest?
I shake my head and step out of his arms, breaking the spell. ‘I’ve had enough driving for today. I can’t even feel my legs anymore. You take over.’
Ryker helps me into the passenger seat and I flop back dramatically, not bothering to close the door. Closing my eyes for a moment, trying to make sense of everything that’s happened this last … I don’t even know how long. I refuse to believe it’s only been an hour.
A break and enter.
Driving.
Him.
This isn’t how I imagined my morning, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘Alright, I’ll take over.’ Ryker leans in through the open door and clicks my belt in for me. Then he lingers, letting his fingers brush at the edges of my thighs. ‘But only because this is a really fucking gooddo you remember when …’
I watch as he rounds the front of the truck, unable to stop the smile from pulling at my lips. I don’t even bother asking where we’re going next.
Chapter 7
Gianna
PRESENT
‘Why couldn’t we drive?’ Monique whines.
I roll my eyes. ‘Because we’ll be gone all morning and Chuckie still needs a walk.’
When I finished work yesterday, my fridge was empty and my drawers had been thoroughly snooped through. I could have avoided that – along with seeing Ryker in the park – if I’d just agreed to go shopping then. But I didn’t, so today we’re fabric hunting for costumes … with a small detour first for caffeine and new records.
Paradiso is only ten minutes down the road from my house. There isn’t a cloud in the sky, but the sun isn’t too hot and the breeze carries sea salt in the air. Chuckie has no complaints, stopping to smell every tree. It’s bliss.
I tie Chuckie’s leash to a post at the side of the building and give him a quick pat. Monique holds the glass door open for me and we enter the room filled with wall bays and crates of records. ‘16’ by Baby Keem plays over the speakers. The large analogue clock hung above the register reads 8.30 am. We have the place to ourselves.
