Page 34 of Swerve (Boosted Hearts 1)

I’d barely taken a step, when Van was there, scooping me up. I heard Neco’s growl as Van strode down the short hall.

“Thank you,” I said to him. I didn’t want to be carried like some invalid, didn’t need to be, but right then I was too thankful to be out of that room, to be away from Neco, to protest.

“He cares about you,” Van grunted, tilting his head back the way we’d come. “Despite all that bullshit, he does care.”

God, did everyone know? I forced a smile, but knew it didn’t reach my eyes. “Just not enough, right?”

“Neco’s family, you know that. Fuck, he’d never intentionally hurt you. But Ruby, he will hurt you. He won’t mean to, he’d rather cut off his own damn arm than that, but he’s not the kind of guy who can settle down and live a normal life. He’s been though too much, seen . . . done, too much. Guys like us, we’re hardwired a certain way. We might want to, but we can’t change.”

I looked up at him, at the sincerity etched into his features. He believed what he’d just said to me. Maybe I was naive, but I chose to believe people had the ability to do whatever they set their mind too. That if they really wanted something, they would do what they had to achieve it—even change.

As for Neco, the point was moot. What Van was driving at wasn’t relevant. He had misinterpreted Neco’s bossy, controlling attitude toward me for something more. Sure, he wanted to protect me, like he always had, because he was carrying guilt over missing my call. He felt responsible for me. Nothing more.

A vision of him with some sexy stripper filled my head, then another of Neco and his hot cop, and I hated how it made me feel. If that didn’t spell out his feelings for me loud and clear, I didn’t know what did.

“Neco and me, we’re just friends. Nothing more.” The words slipped from my mouth easily enough, but they were a lie; we hadn’t even been that for a long time. Those kisses, I didn’t know what they were, but it didn’t exactly matter, since he’d chosen to forget they ever happened.

Van stared down at me for the longest time, dark eyes intense. “You sure about that?”

“Yes.” It was the only thing I was sure about. Well, the “nothing more” part, anyway.

Finally, Van put me down in front of the bathroom. “You want me to wait and carry you back?”

I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’m fine. I’m going to go and have a lie down now, anyway. I’m feeling kind of tired.”

He curled his fingers around the back of my neck and pulled me forward, kissing the top of my head, the action almost fatherly. “Hurry the hell up and get better.”

I gave him a playful shove, even managed to laugh in a way that didn’t sound too fake as he walked away. As soon as he was out of sight, I bypassed the bathroom, since I didn’t actually need it, and went to Josh’s room, climbed into his racing car sheets, pulled the covers high, and squeezed my eyes shut.

I hadn’t planned on going to sleep, but I obviously had since I woke to mumbling voices coming through the door. Hunter and Neco. They weren’t arguing, but they were . . . debating. I could tell by the occasional growl, the grunted response from one or the other. The talking went on for quite a while then, with another grunt, I finally heard one set of boots walk away.

X-ray glasses weren’t necessary. I knew it was Neco still on the other side of the door. My stomach curled with nerves—excitement. I didn’t know which. Didn’t know if I wanted him to come in or walk away.

I held my breath, waiting to see what he’d do . . .

There was a soft knock. “Ruby?”

His voice sounded deeper, rougher. I bit my lip, fighting with myself. My head screamed at me to stay where the hell I was and keep my damn mouth shut. My heart, the traitorous bitch, wanted to dive out of bed, fling the door open, and beg him to take me with him.

I curled my fingers into the covers, heart beating wildly, and continued to do battle with myself. It seemed like forever before I heard the thud of his boots, the sound of his retreating footsteps.

He was gone.

Snuggling back down, I closed my eyes and fought the impulse to run after him.

I settled for imagining the comforter around me was Neco’s arms. For once, allowing myself to indulge in such thoughts.

Just for tonight. I’d be strong again tomorrow.

* * *

So damn hot.

Argh. My eyes felt glued shut. I tried to open them, changed my mind, and decided staying asleep was a better idea. But then I couldn’t get back to sleep because it was so freaking hot. God, did Lulu pile more blankets on me during the night? Grunting, I shoved the covers off, then gasped, the quick movement hurting my bruised side.

“Keep still,” a male voice said, low and husky with sleep.

I froze at the sound of that familiar voice.