“So that’s what you think I am, an underdog?”
He tilted his head. “Aren’t you?”
I worried my lip, thinking of all the trials and tribulations I’d been through in my short life. Maybe I was an underdog. Or maybe I was just unlucky. Or maybe … maybe my dad’s curse had somehow gotten attached to me when he died.
No. I refused to succumb to that kind of thinking. Dad had spent his entire life fearing the wrath of some higher power, and it was no way to live.
“What happened to your dad? How did he die?” Noah asked, as though he’d read my thoughts.
I frowned. “Vee didn’t tell you?”
“She refuses to talk about it. It’s still a sore subject. And Sylvia’s not exactly a Chatty Cathy these days.” He gave a wry smile.
My frown deepened. This man had a truly sick sense of humour. I still didn’t get his and Vee’s lack of empathy when it came to their mother. “He was in a car accident a little over two years ago. The paramedics said he died at the scene.”
“Ah, so that’s why my sister hates driving now,” Noah said then glanced at me, the tiniest hint of empathy in his eyes. “A quick death is always preferable.”
“I’d rather have my dad still alive, thanks. And I don’t remember Vee ever being fond of driving. She much preferred to have my dad chauffer her around.”
“Do you know how to drive?” he asked. I shook my head, and his eyes took on a certain gleam. “Want me to teach you?”
I was about to say no, but then when I thought about it, I really could stand to learn. If I wanted to go it alone after I graduated in June, then being able to drive a car would be useful. It was March, so that gave me a few months to learn. After the last two years living on Vee’s good graces, I didn’t want to have to rely on anyone else ever again. Independence was so close I could almost taste it. The prospect of being completely and totally self-sufficient was a dream I clung to dearly.
“Okay, but in a car. I don’t have any aspirations to drive a motorbike.”
He smirked. “No? It’s quite the rush.”
“It’s also incredibly dangerous.”
“The two usually come hand in hand.”
I stared at him a beat, then asked, “Can we go home now? I really don’t know why you brought me here.”
“I just thought it might be nice for you to get away,” he said. “Didn’t you enjoy the ride?”
Yes. More than I care to admit. “It was okay.”
“Just okay?”
“Do you expect me to swoon because you let me on the back of your motorbike?” I challenged. I immediately regretted it when I saw his lips twitch in amusement.
“No. But now that you’ve mentioned it makes me think you did swoon.”
“Ha! You wish,” I scoffed, even as I hated how self-conscious I sounded.
His eyes glimmered. “Would you like me to wish it?”
“No.”
“Fine,” he said, moving past me. “I won’t.”
He continued walking back to where he’d parked his bike, and I stood there for a second, frustrated and berating myself for going with him in the first place. After all, it might’ve been satisfying to see the look on Sally’s face, but when Noah didn’t show up tomorrow, and the day after that, she’d be smirking and whispering to Claire that I’d been dumped by my mysterious older “boyfriend”.
Noah was sitting on his bike waiting when I caught up to him. He silently handed me the helmet, eyeing me a moment before he asked, “Who was that girl at the school with Sally O’Hare? The blonde one?”
I rolled my eyes. Of course, he’d noticed Claire calling him hot. Bloody typical. “Why?”
“She looks familiar.”
“Her name’s Claire McBride.”
Some sort of knowledge flashed in his eyes. “Mayor McBride’s daughter?”
“Yes,” I clipped, annoyed. Okay, so I could admit I was jealous he’d noticed Claire. Everyone talked about how pretty she was. It was too bad she was rotten on the inside. I busied myself putting on the helmet.
“Are you all right?” Noah asked, obviously sensing my annoyance.
I glanced at him. “I know this is a lot to ask, but can you not go out with Claire? I know she’s gorgeous and all, but she’s a complete bitch to me at school. And if she started dating you, I’m not sure I could handle the overdose of smugness.” I finished my plea, refusing to look him in the eye as I moved to walk around his bike. His hand shot out, wrapping around my upper arm and stopping me in my tracks.
“Estella.”
“Yes?” I said, cheeks heating as I kept my gaze firmly on the ground. His hand was like a hot brand against my skin.
“I’d rather cut off my own dick than go anywhere near that girl. I asked you who she was for other reasons. Okay?”