Page 34 of The Storm

“Good luck with the keys, Jakey,” Bridge calls, and blows a kiss to Jake.

India beats Bridge to the passenger door and slides in with a triumphant smile, already reaching for the radio. Bridget laughs and sticks her tongue out at her before she climbs into the back.

Which leaves me the seat behind the driver.

Behind Nick.

I hesitate for half a second before I get in. I’m tempted to say I’ll walk home instead.

We pull away from the cabin. Dia and Bridge start filling me in about what I missed by skipping their party, and I try to listen. I try to pay attention. I really do.

But my eyes have a mind of their own. They drift up to the rearview mirror, and I try to make it look like an accident. Like it’s a pit stop for my gaze on its way to something else.

Nick’s eyes meet mine.

I get stuck.

His gaze is a flicker. Lightning fast, like he wasn’t really looking.

My stomach tightens, and I jerk my head around to face the window, staring at the dark trees rushing past.

Thirty seconds later I glance up again.

His eyes hold mine for a beat.

Two beats.

The back of my neck gets hot.

India changes the radio station, and the music blasts louder. Nick breaks the eye contact, turning his attention back to the road.

I slump lower in the seat. My pulse is doing something weird, going haywire on the insides of my wrists.

Outside, the highway curves into the darkness.

In the mirror, Nick’s eyes flick up again.

Just for a flash.

I feel like we’re standing on top of a powder keg.

And he has the matches.

NINE

INDY

Mom stepsout of the bedroom the moment Nick and I walk into the house. She stops and raises her brows.

“Morning?” she says with a puzzled frown.

I stop in my tracks.

“You’re back.” I sound startled, which is probably suspicious.

“I faked a headache, skipped the dinner, and changed my flight. I got in a few minutes ago.”

I go and hug her, and she sends me a tired smile.