‘Let’s get you home before you freeze,’ he says, planting a peck on my nose.
* * *
We must have spent more time at the car wash than I’d thought because Jace is waiting on the porch when I guide the Camino through the driveway. He’s now in an all-black outfit identical to Ryker’s. I didn’t think Monz would make outfits so basic – very unlike her.
I’m heading down the horseshoe driveway when Ryker reaches for my thigh. When I meet his gaze, he’s smiling.
‘We’re gonna get my bike and go do this prank thing at ECU. Then we’ve got …something else.’ He glances at Jace, who scowls at him. ‘But afterward, I’ll be back to pick you up for Lucifer’s Dream. We might be a few hours, okay?’
‘Isthe something elseThe Tropics?’ I raise my brows.
‘Yeah.’ Ryker sighs. ‘But I’ll make sure we’re quick. Just a race or two.’
I nod, but I know how much Jace loves racing and I’m not sure he’ll leave early to come to Lucifer’s Dream. ‘How are you gonna convince Jace that a carnival is better than The Tropics?’
‘I don’t know,’ he admits, ‘but I’ll find a way and he’ll get over it. I’ll ask for forgiveness later. We’re going.’
Ryker must sense my hesitation, because he shifts in his seat to face me. ‘I swear on a car manual, everything will be fine,’ he promises, his free hand over his heart.
‘You know that’s not the same as swearing on a religious figure, right?’
I park next to the house and kill the engine.
‘It is for me.’
I reach for the handle and Ryker’s hand wraps around my wrist.
‘I’ll get it,’ he says before opening his door and gracefully rounding the car to open mine. I take his offered hand as I step out of the car and he gives me a lopsided smile. My heart skips. I don’t think it matters how many times I see him smile. My heart will always pull tight at the sight.
‘Gianna drove all over town,’ Ryker says excitedly to Jace. ‘She’s a natural.’
‘Of course she is.’ Jace smiles widely. ‘She’s a Brooks.’
As I round the Camino, Jace catches me in a headlock before laying down a playful noogie. I wail in protest and push him away.
‘Wait, why the fuck are you wet?’ He frowns between us before shooting a glare at Ryker. ‘Both of you? Why the fuck are both of you wet?’
‘Relax, bro,’ Ryker says before Jace charges at him. ‘That ECU fucker Erik Lasso messed with her car, so we washed it.’
‘Funny.’ Jace folds his arms across his chest and adjusts his stance. ‘Whenever I wash my car, I don’t come back drenched. Go change. I’ve got some black hoodies and shit in my closet. Then we’ve got to go.’
‘Alright, we gotta swing by mine, too. I want to take the bike tonight.’ Ryker winks.
‘Finally gonna let me give her a ride, huh?’ Jace teases. ‘Maybe then she’d have her first win.’
‘You wish.’ Ryker heads into the house, shaking his head. I wait a beat before moving to follow.
‘What’s going on with you and Ryker?’ Jace’s question stops me in my tracks.
He lets the silence brew, waiting for me to explain, but his expression tells me he already knows. My lips still tingle from the kiss and I feel heat rush to my face.
‘We’re just friends.’ The lie makes my heart flutter a little faster. ‘But, hypothetically, if it were … more, wouldn’t you rather my first boyfriend be him? Better the devil you know?’
‘Boyfriend?’ he exclaims. ‘Christ, Gia. Really? No. No one’s good enough for you.’
I chew on the side of my cheek and twist my rings behind my back. When I look up again, Jace’s eyes soften. ‘Maybe. Ryker’s a good guy. I just … I promised Pa I’d look after you. We’ll talk about it after The Prank’s done, alright? But for now, if you could keep being my baby sister who watches cartoons and needs her soy milk warmed for her cereal, that would be great.’
I nudge him in the arm, laughing. ‘I haven’t done that in years.’
