I rounded the corner and heard Jack’s voice stop abruptly when he caught sight of me. “You look adorable, Kitten.” His voice practically purred.
“That’s it, I’m not going.” I threw my hands up in the air and turned back toward the hall.
He stopped me with his laughing response. “I’m sorry, Cass. I won’t call you that anymore.”
“I’m not sure you can help it.” I eyed him narrowly.
“I might slip up a time or two, but can you really blame me?” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his black and white shorts and then batted his thick eyelashes at me.
“Yes. Don’t call me Kitten. It’s annoying and it makes me hate you.”
“Is she always this argumentative?” he asked Melissa through a one-dimpled smirk.
She smiled coyly at him. “Not usually. You must be special.”
Oh my God! She turned into complete mush in two seconds! Traitor!
I shot Melissa a shocked and horrified glare and turned to see Jack smiling as if he had won the top prize at the fair.
“Don’t give me that look,” I threatened through gritted teeth.
“What?” He shrugged his strong, broad shoulders. “You think I’m special. It’s cool.”
I couldn’t resist rolling my eyes at him. “The only type of special I think you are is e-specially irritating. Like a rash.”
He let out a quick huff. “Come on, Kit…er, Cassie. Let’s go. It was nice to meet you, Melissa.” He grabbed her little five-foot-two-inch frame and squeezed until she giggled wildly.
Traitorous bitch.
“See you later, Meli.” I shook my head and mouthed, “I can’t believe you!” at her. She waved me away and blew me a kiss.
Jack led me in the direction of his car. Since I had no idea which one was his, I followed blindly one step behind. He walked over to the passenger side of a vintage white Ford Bronco covered with dents, scratches, and chipped paint.
“Are you sure this thing’s legal on the streets?” I asked, eyeing the giant, oversized tires and lack of a roof.
His eyebrows pinched together. “You scared?”
“Are you high?” I squinted toward him. “No, really, do you do drugs ’cause I don’t date guys who do drugs.”
He turned the key and the door unlatched with a pop and squeaked open. Then he took me by the hand and gently helped me up into the seat, placing his hand firmly on my rear.
“Hands off the ass, Carter,” I snapped.
“I was just helping you up. Honest.” He feigned innocence as he closed the door behind me. “You sure you’re not scared?”
“I’m not scared. This car just looks like something that belongs on a sand dune or in a monster truck rally or a repair shop.” I glanced down, noticing the silver-dollar-sized hole in the floor.
“Is it the tires?” he asked sincerely.
“They are massive.”
“Just like my—”
“I swear to God,” I quickly interrupted and turned away.
“What?” He laughed. “I was going to say heart. The tires are as big as my heart.” He patted his chest for emphasis.
“You mean as big as the hole in your chest where your heart’s supposed to be?” The verbal jab dropped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“Ouch. Can we at least wait until dinner before you decide I’m heartless?”
“If you insist.”
“I do.” His brown eyes softened and he grabbed the wheel, put the key in the ignition, and turned. The engine rumbled to life and my seat vibrated under me. I strapped the old seatbelt around my body and gave Jack a wary glance.
“You are scared,” he said with concern.
I shook my head defiantly. “I’m fine, just go.” I gestured toward the road.
He removed his hand from the stick shift and placed it on my leg. I winced in response.
“What did I tell you about the touching?” I asked, giving him a sideways glance.
“Fifty cents. Don’t worry, I got it covered.” One dimple greeted me before quickly disappearing. “You sure you’re okay?”
I nodded as he put the car in drive and it rocked forward as he gassed it.
“Shit.” He muttered under his breath.
“What is it?” Suddenly I was concerned for our well-being. We were going to tip over from the massive tires and die.
“I meant to ask you this before we left, but I got distracted. You’re so feisty all the time, you make me forget things.” His left arm rested on top of his door panel and he leaned his head into his hand. I watched as his fingers made their way through his hair, grabbing fistfuls as he eyed the road ahead.