That statement is directed at him until I can prove he had nothing to do with killing my father. But I’ll let him believe it’s intended for sexual purposes. It’s way more fun that way and safer.
The muscle in his jaw ticks again. “Don’t push me, little Ninja.”
Using my helmet to break our eye contact, I pull it over my head. “We’ve already been over this. And something you should know about me: I hate reruns.” I kick up the kickstand and back out of the spot. Putting the bike in first, I lower my visor and take off. My heartbeat matches the high RPMs of my motorcycle as I wind out the gear.
I need to accept that there’s no escaping my encounters with Ledger Hunt as long as I’m in his world. Or at least until my dad’s murderer is behind bars or dead. Only then will I be completely free.
I’m the first one to arrive at the coffee house. It’s only a block away from the dojo. I’ve passed it a hundred times but never paid enough attention to notice it for what it is. I sit down at one of the tables near the window. Bryce and Eden pull up and park just outside the window. He’s yelling at her as they get out. Eden slams the door and hollers something unintelligible back. Within the next thirty seconds or so, they’re hugging, and then he opens the door to the coffee house for her, laughing as he does so.
I raise my brows. “Did you guys just have a major powwow, then make up in less than half a minute?”
They glance at each other and grin. “Yeah,” Bryce says and shrugs. “That’s just what we do. I hate her unfriendly ecosystem gas guzzler, and she hates me telling her every time she drives us somewhere.”
I glance out the window at the antique convertible gold Cadillac. It’s the complete opposite of the Tesla Bryce drives.They usually take his car, but I guess she insisted on driving today.
Bryce asks what we want, then goes to the counter to order our coffees.
“Hey, why don’t you guys come by my uncle’s dojo one of these coming weekends? You can meet my best friend, Luca, and see where I train.”
“You mean kick ass,” Eden says.
I laugh. “Sure, if that’s what you want to call it. But really, I’ve told Luca all about you guys, and he wants to meet you.”
“Is he hot and gay?” Bryce asks as he slides into the booth.
I laugh again. “Actually, yes and yes. If he were straight, I would have claimed Luca a long time ago.”
Bryce raises his hands and slaps them on the table. “Hell yes, I’m in. Sign me up to get my ass kicked.”
Eden shoves him. “You’re too easy.”
The barista calls out Bryce’s name. He jumps up from the table to retrieve our drinks. “Be right back.”
I twist a paper napkin around my finger, debating whether to ask Eden about Josh. I decide to bite the bullet. “Hey, what do you know about Josh Carter? When we were playing pool at the party, it didn’t seem like you guys had a problem with him. I mean, is he an okay guy?” I don’t tell them about the warnings from Edge or Levi.
Eden’s eyes do a funny thing before darting left, then right. Finally, they land on the packets of sugar. She takes one out of the holder.
“What’s that silent-ignoring-the-question thing you just did?” I wave my hand in front of her. “What do you know? You’d tell me if it was anything bad, right?”
She rips the packet and pours the sugar into a small mound on the table. “I think Josh is all right. I mean, I never had any issue with him, but?—”
Bryce returns to the table with a tray of coffee. He studies us before setting it down.
“But what?” Bryce sits down at the table, not missing much today, and places our coffees in front of us. “Who are we talking about?”
I let out a resigned sigh. “Josh Carter.”
“Ohhh, Josh again. Are you sure about him? I mean, he doesn’t seem like your type.” Bryce eyes the smeared pile of sugar in front of Eden.
“No, I’m not sure about him, but he’s nice. Wait, what’s that supposed to mean, my type? What’s my type?”
Bryce looks up from the sugar to Eden. Is he searching her face for confirmation or permission?
I tap my fingers on the table. “I’m waiting. Please explain.”
Through some best friend’s telepathic link, they decide Eden is the one who should speak up. “We just think Josh might not be the best fit for you.”
“I’m not trying on clothes. What are you talking about?” I have no idea why they’re being so cryptic. In their lengthy pause to give me a straight answer, I blurt out, “Well, he asked me to the Halloween party that everyone is talking about, and I said yes.”
