Crap. How exactly am I going to get to Dad’s place?
I smack my forehead and rub my palm back and forth. “Stupid idiot,” I mutter.
“For someone who’s running away, you don’t seem to be in much of a rush.”
Heart lurching, I spin around and let out a scream.
Dominic quickly covers my mouth, cutting off the sound. His eyes hold mine, an amused smile playing on his lips.
“Can I trust you not to scream again?” he asks.
I nod, heart still pounding. “What are you doing out here?” I take a step back, adjusting my backpack.
He lifts his hand, indicating the cigarette between his fingers. Smoking—how typical of him.
“Felt like I needed one,” he comments, his gaze still hooked on mine. “My old man is going at it with your mom, and she’s?—”
I slap a hand over his mouth. “Ew.”
His body trembles with silent laughter, and I crack a smile too. The whole situation is ridiculous.
Slowly, I step back and slip my hands into my back pockets.
Dominic scratches his brow, studying me with curiosity. I’m surprised he hasn’t put distance between us. Usually, he’s all about personal space, at least when it comes to me. That, or he barely notices my existence.
“Where are you going?” he asks, the cigarette now balanced between his teeth.
I deflate. “Probably back inside, since I have no way of getting to my dad’s.”
He cocks a brow, his lips twitching. “I can give you a ride.”
“Really?” I can’t remember the last time he did something nice for me.
“Absolutely. It’s either that, or I listen to our parents?—”
“Dominic!” I hiss.
“Fine.” With a wink, he puts out his cigarette. Then, he fishes his car keys out of his pocket. “Let’s go.”
He heads to his car without looking back.
Fifteen minutes later,Dominic parks his SUV in the parking lot of my dad’s apartment building. He spent the whole rideignoring my presence—shocker. I spent the whole time texting with Chiara, updating her on tonight’s drama.
After the silence we’ve been sitting in, I don’t expect him to speak now.
But he does. Oh boy, he does.
“Listen, I’m not a fan of what our parents did orhowthey did it, but maybe stop for a second and think about why Monica and Luke got divorced. It wasn’t because of my dad.”
“I never said it was.” I lick my lips, nerves running through me. “What bothers me is that Allan was my dad’s best friend. You don’t do things like that to your friends.”
Dominic shakes his head. “You’re so naive. I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re still only thirteen.”
Irritation zips up my spine. “You’re only four years older than me.”
“Yeah,” he huffs, “but I’ve already figured out that life is unfair. I’ve figured out that the people who claim to love us sometimes treat us like shit. That’s how it works, and you’re too young to understand.”
“I’ll be fourteen next month.” I lift my chin.
