Page 30 of Juliet's Echo

"Move," I said, attempting to push past him and get back in the driver side. There was not a chance in hell I was giving him the satisfaction of watching me call Echo. "Why would they need a ride from you?" I asked — knowing I should have left it alone.

Before I could clear him, he smoothly caught me by the waist and drew me in. His hand cuffed my face gently, tilting it up toward his, and he leaned in close enough that my body didn't wait for permission to respond. Warmth moved through me and I felt myself soften in a way I had absolutely no intention of softening. As much as I couldn't stand Psalm Mitchel, I was not opposed to this. I let my eyes close and waited — his lips grazing mine with every word when he finally spoke.

"Because someone would rather cut her nose to spite her face than let her friends enjoy a concert."

Every sensual feeling vanished and I pushed him off me.

His laugh followed me.

"Ride offer still stands," he called to Mega and Yahya.

"We good, bro — appreciate you," Mega dapped him up, still laughing.

The three stooges said their goodbyes while I settled back into my driver's seat, completely depleted. Psalm gave Yahya a hug through the passenger window, then made his way back to my side and dragged his index finger gently under my chin. I swatted at his hand — but not before I let that touch land and linger just a second longer than I should have.

Ready to lose myself in Heaven and Aladdin, I reached for my phone.

Me:Unlock my Jeep please, Choo-Choo.

Echo:Bout time. I almost popped up.

Me:Why didn't you?

Echo:Already had eyes on it. You were good.

Me:So why didn't you just unlock it ahead of time?

Echo:Where's the fun in that?

Me:Echo!

Echo:Hit the start button.

I pushed the button and the Jeep came to life, smooth and unproblematic.

Me:Thank you. Love you.

Echo:Love you too.

Yahya and Mega turned slowly to face me, grinning like demons.

"What exactly was that?" Mega asked.

"Right — because had I not known you couldn't stand Psalm Mitchel, I would have thought you came on yourself when he grabbed you," Yahya added.

I gripped the wheel and reversed out of the spot. "If this ride isn't as quiet as a library — on my mama — I will drive this Jeep off a cliff. Capisce?"

They both laughed — until I whipped my head around with nothing but death in my eyes. Yahya made a zipped lips motion and handed Mega the imaginary key, who promptly tossed it out the window.

For the entire five minutes it took to drive up to our spot on the hill, I had exactly one thought.

I need a shower.

Psalm

The warm morning sun pressed against my skin as I settled into the back patio of my parents' mansion, guitar resting across my lap, fingers absentmindedly moving across strings I wasn't paying attention to. My body was present. My mind was somewhere else entirely. Wherever that beautiful menace named Juliet Everette was — that's where you'd find me mentally. Caught somewhere between her bossing up in Hamburger's class, displaying her beautiful smile at Flip'd, or throwing a full tantrum because her online selections read "sold out."

Fucking brat.