Deafening Silence

Chapter 2

Beck

I stiffened as I felt him grab my knee and pull me towards the middle of the bench seat, close enough to him that I could feel the heat emanating off of him. Being so cold from the rain was the only reason I didn't protest to the sudden close proximity. He pulled the seatbelt down and across me and snapped it into place.

"You do know I can do that myself," I said.

"Didn't look like it'd be happening any time soon," he replied. "You can go speeding on that death contraption of yours without a helmet, but you're not dying under my watch." I glanced over at him as he said this, only to catch a towel in my face. Pulling it away, I caught a whiff of coffee.

"Dry your hair," he said. It's dripping all over the seat." I complied, though the towel was so old and ratty that it didn't do much in the way of drying. I was pressed so close to Travis that it was like the heat from his arm was seeping into my wet, freezing one. I shivered from the lingering cold, and Travis turned his head when he felt it.

"There's an extra shirt in the glove compartment," he said.

"So this is your thing," I responded. "Luring innocent girls into your truck under the pretense of giving them rides home when your intentions are only to get them to undress."

"Beck stop being so stubborn and put on the damn shirt. You're going to get sick," he said, completely ignoring my previous comment. I opened the glove compartment and pulled out the blue long sleeved shirt that was in there. I paused, glancing quickly between the shirt and Travis. He sighed. "I'm not going to leer at you while you change, if that's what you're worried about."

That was all the reassurance I needed. I was freezing and the shirt in my hands was so warm. I quickly unbuckled and slid over towards the window, pulling off my soaked jacket and then the black tank underneath it. I froze, realizing I was in just a bra in Travis's truck. I glanced over at him, but he stayed true to his word. His eyes were focused on the road in front of him, unwavering.

I pulled his shirt on over my head and was immediately enveloped in the soft warmth of a shirt that has been washed countless times. Coffee, mint, and a faint scent of oil overpowered my senses. I stuffed my wet jacket and tank into my backpack. As soon as I had the dry shirt on, Travis grabbed my knee again, pulled me over to the center of the bench seat, and put my seat belt back on. I turned to him, glaring.

"Was that really necessary?" I asked. He only smirked, and I rolled my eyes and stared out the window for a few moments until I realized that Travis should probably know where he was taking me.

"I live-"

"I know where your house is," Travis said, cutting me off. I turned to stare at him.

"Because that's not axe murderer-like at all," I said. It was then that he realized what he said, and he immediately amended his statement.

"I have a friend who lives around there. I've seen you going in and out of your house a few times." I slowly turned back to face the windshield again, not convinced with what he said.

I fiddled with his radio for a few moments, finding a good station. Travis seemed startled by the music, though I was unsure how anything could startle this strong, six-foot-something guy. He didn't seem too pleased with the music.

"It's loud," I explained.

"You're the one who turned it on," Travis replied. "Turn it down if it's too loud." He reached for the volume.

"No!" He immediately withdrew his hand and I cringed at how loud I had said that. "No," I repeated more quietly this time. I turned to look out the window on my right, watching the cars speed by as we waited for the light to change. I felt him look at me, not understanding. "The silence. It's loud," I clarified.