Page 8 of Freak
“We’re nothing alike.” I responded eagerly, foolishly.
“Both busy. Both have lives too big for this town. You’re out by sunrise, I’m sure of it.”
I knitted my brows, his certainty on my position too accurate for my comfort. I was the first to break from the staring contest we held, dropping my eyes to his chest, his hard muscles wrapped in a pressed—slightly unbuttoned—white shirt. Had it been black like his suit jacket and slacks, we may have looked like a couple.
“If you’re here longer, we can schedule something in the books… the date that is.” Out from his pocket he pulled a piece of winter-mint gum, unwrapping its foil before slipping it between his lips.
I wanted to fucking bite him.
“This isn’t a date.” I held the receipt in the air. “This is an obligation to follow my lead and do as you’re told.” I began to walk past him, my sleeved arm brushing against his, noting the electric heat his body emitted. He made me shiver.
“So I see… you’re in charge.” He said, nodding to Veronica’s button on my dress, which I instantly removed.
“It would be wise for you believe that. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can get on with our lives,” I said, listening to the stride of his dress shoes, and how they matched my heels.
“And what if I’m not interested in that?” He inhaled as we stepped outside, leaving the ambient glow of a tired old hotel.
“In what?” I asked impatiently, sternly, clicking the ignition to my rented Lamborghini a few yards away. It roared into existence, its lights peeking out from the dark lot of old station wagons and minivans.
“Getting on with my life,” he answered quietly.
“You sound as sentimental as the others inside.”
“I’m not like them.”
“You are… you’re just afraid to admit it.”
“Admitting is something I’ve already considered and am willing to do. In fact, I expected you tonight.” Rafael stepped towards the tail end of the car, its red lights catching his face like the flames of hell.
His concentrated stare was enough for me to question the decisions I was about to make, or how angry I truly was in the first place. Was it enough to ruin his life?
One look into his angel eyes and dimpled cheeks was all I needed.
Innocent?
Handsome?
A contributor to society?
It was all an unstable pyramid of attributes that meant very little to me. I was the wrecking ball, coming to smash those who needed to pay for the things they did… and no one owed me more than Rafael Amada.
“Get in the car,” I demanded. “I’m taking you out on a night you’ll never forget.”
Summer
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Rafael groaned as I shut off the engine.
I flipped the door open, “I don’t do things as a joke.” I slid out of the car and into the pitch-black parking lot at Keegan Miller High School.
“Are you sure? This certainly falls in the category of humor,” he mumbled as I made my way to the front trunk of the car. I popped it open, removing a small bag.
Rafael eyed me suspiciously, my unapologetic brandishing of the bag showed the confidence of my decisions.
“What do you have there?”
“Toys,” I answered honestly, already making my way through the moonlit shrubs, to the large purple doors of the school’s entrance.
“Somehow, I gather there isn’t anything fun about your toys.” He smirked, his hesitation notable as I reached for the large brass knobs. “And don’t tell me you expect us to go inside?”
