I couldn’t believe it. Not only had Reid appeared exactly when I’d needed him, but he had no problem knocking Josh down like he was nothing. Part of me was pissed that he would hurt someone like that, but part of me was happy it had happened. That asshole Josh was being too aggressive and scary and deserved to be knocked down a peg or two.
“You okay?” Reid asked me.
“I’m fine. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Actually, I did. That guy has a reputation.”
I frowned. “Really?”
“Let’s just say you’re not the first girl that threw her drink in his face.”
I sighed and let Reid take me back toward the truck. The sounds of the party receded a bit as we moved to the perimeter. I felt safe there with Reid’s strong arm wrapped around my shoulders, and although I could handle myself, I was thankful that he had shown up.
“Let’s head out,” he said.
“Okay, fine.”
We climbed into the truck and he sat there for a second, the engine off.
“I told you to be careful.”
“You don’t control what I do, Reid.”
“I know that. But these people can be pretty fucked up sometimes.”
“You keep saying that. Why are they your friends?”
He leaned toward me. “It’s complicated. I just want you to be safe.” His lips were parted slightly. His gorgeous, full lips. I felt myself moving closer to him.
“Lindsey keeps saying something. About you and that guy Thom.”
“Does she? What’s she been saying?”
“Nothing. Just that you’re involved with him somehow. Who is he?”
“Just a guy I’ve been working with.”
I felt so frustrated, but his voice was deep and smooth and his smell was threatening to overwhelm me.
“Working on what?”
“Just a job. What do you care?”
“I don’t care. I mean, I don’t know.” I felt myself babbling, unable to tell him the truth. I cared because I cared about him way more than I wanted to admit.
“Listen to me next time, Becca. And forget what Lindsey’s been saying.” His face was inches from mine.
“Thanks. For that.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
He was so close. He was so intoxicating.
The way he was looking at me sent shivers down my spine. I could feel myself growing wet already.
And then my phone began to buzz.
He frowned and looked at my bag.
“Better get that,” he said.
“That’s okay.”
He laughed and sat up straight, starting the engine. I frowned, getting ahold of myself, and pulled my phone from my bag. It was Lindsey.
“Hey,” I said, answering.
“Becca! Oh my god! I heard what happened. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Where did you go?”
“I was just in the RV hanging out with some guys.”
“You left me alone.”
“I’m so sorry. I thought you came with us.”
“Well, I didn’t.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m on my way home with Reid.”
“Oh. Okay. Look, I had fun. I’m really sorry about what happened.”
I sighed. “It’s not your fault.”
“Yeah, it is. Let me buy you lunch or something to make up for it?”
“Sure. Text me later.”
“’Kay.” She hung up.
I put the phone back in my bag as Reid pulled back out onto the main road.
“That girl is bad news,” he grunted at me.
I sighed, not wanting to start fighting with him again. I kept thinking about how close I had been to kissing him just a minute earlier.
“Probably,” I muttered.
We drove back home in silence, the near kiss lingering in the air. He had to have felt it, had to have known that it was what I wanted. He had a way about him, like he could read my body.
The problem was, I wanted him to do more than just read it.
But that was too dangerous. I remembered how surprised Lindsey was when she heard how Reid liked to talk to me.
We couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it.
The car ride was quiet, but my head was buzzing, full of doubt, worry, and overwhelming desire.
Chapter Eight: Reid
She was on my mind as I set out early the next morning.
It was more and more obvious that she had been away for too damn long. Even though I warned her about that party, she insisted on going anyway. That wasn’t a big deal, but she ended up drinking a little too much and got stranded with that creep.
I couldn’t blame her for what happened next, though. Josh came off as such a nice guy sometimes, and girls kept falling for his bullshit. It didn’t take long for them to realize what a piece of shit he was, though.
It felt good breaking his jaw. I hated that Becca had to be the one in harm’s way, but I had to admit that Josh was in desperate need of a beating. All I was waiting for was an excuse.