She shakes her head, catching her lip between her teeth. But she must be with his family’s entourage. “If you want to talk to him, he’s almost back to the c
ar. Should be here any second,” I say.
She nods slowly. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Cleo,” I say, a little fiercer than I need to.
“Hi, Cleo. And thank you. I’ll just... maybe I’ll see him down in Chattahoochee soon. Could you do me a favor and please don’t let him know you saw me?”
“Um, okay I guess.”
Psyyyyyych. I’m telling Kellan I saw this bitch as soon as I get the chance.
She says, “thank you,” tucks her chin, and wanders off into the sea of cars. I’m closing my books up, sliding them into my bag, when Kellan raps on my window. I push the door open.
“Get out,” he says. He gives me a relaxed smile and closes his hand around my knee. I can tell immediately he’s in better spirits, which makes me smile as well.
“Okay, Mr. Bossy.”
He smirks. “I thought I was Mr. Perfect.”
“What? Huh?”
He winks as I slide out of the car. “I saw a text from Lora. It was on your screen. Don’t worry.” He catches my forearm in his gentle fingers. “All I saw was her inquire about me, and you told her I was ‘Mr. Perfect.’”
I scoff. “That’s wasn’t you I was talking about. Trust me, I refer to you as Mr. Bossy. Actually, just Bossy. Kind of like Big on Sex and The City.” I smirk, and Kellan elbows me out of his way, as if he’s going to climb into the driver’s seat. Then he doubles back, catches my hand, and tugs me around the front of the Escalade. He gets my door for me and slaps my ass as I get in.
“You hungry?” he asks as he backs the car out.
“Starving. You?”
“I could eat something.”
After evaluating the next few exits, we decide on Steak & Shake. I get a cheeseburger with light mayo only, and a small strawberry shake. Kellan gets a double cheeseburger but says he doesn’t like to eat in the car.
“Why not?” I ask.
“I don’t like being watched, I guess.”
“No one is watching you.”
He lifts his brows. “You are.”
I smile and lean my cheek against his shoulder. “I am. I’ve been worried about you today. You seem a little better.”
His blue eyes flick from the road to my face. “What do you mean?”
“A little less worried I guess. Just feeling better.” I haven’t wanted to broach the subject of his uncle, but I hesitantly do so now. “Is Pace okay? Stable and stuff?”
He nods.
I lean away from his shoulder so I can see his face. “I’m really glad.”
He swallows and nods. I wait for more—a flicker of emotion on his face; details of what happened in the wreck—but Kellan just drives, perfectly still and quiet, as if he’s alone in the car. I polish off my burger and relax in the silence, looking out the window at the swaying pines.
“What music do you want to hear?” he finally asks.
“Oooh, how about that song from earlier?”