The Ride of a Lifetime

17. Simple

The shift ended at six.

I was waiting by the bus stop, checking the road every few seconds for that damn, fat bus that's always late.

A tap on my shoulder startles me.

"You're not getting driven home?"

"Why? Is that all of a sudden a sin?"

Axel stands tall next to me, car keys around his fingers. The other hand was dug into his pocket. He doesn't seem to be moved by me picking on his nerves.

"I see the facade has dropped." He smirks.

I grin. "I'm nice to a lot of people! When they have the decency to act like they like me too." My pointed insult was met with a calm look of nonchalance.

Before I could ask him what he was doing here, my phone vibrates in my bag. I pull it out, raising a brow at the name. 

I take a step away from Axel before answering.

"Great timing."

I joked, hiding my suspicion at the fact.

"I'm coming to pick you up."

The line went dead.

Fuck.

He knows.

My fist clenches by my side. He doesn't have the right to be mad, I reassure myself. Axel stares at me curiously, obviously not understanding my tension.

"Are you not going to go home?" I prayed he would take the cue to leave.

"Dad said I was responsible for your ride." He scoffs. "Said you worked harder than necessary, today."

As elated as I was to hear the news, the anxiousness gnawing at me made me bit my lip.

"I'm fine. Someone is coming to pick me up."

Javis had sure earned himself a reputation. Because as his car comes screeching to a stop in front of me, illegally parking within the bus curve, I saw the strongest face of disgust scrawl across Axel's face. 

It was the most emotion I'd seen from him even when he's supposed to be serving customers kindly.

I shoot Axel a guilty glance and then rush to slide into the passenger seat. Javis seems to halt his decision of exiting the car.

"Come on, let's go." I urge.

The silent fury rolling off his body made my breathing hitch. The thrill of being near him was fighting with a certain kind of fear.

Both sent waves of anticipation crashing through my veins. People say some are addicted to danger.

I used to laugh at them.

He obeys, but I know I'm far from having the upperhand. We drive off, leaving Axel and his disappointed gaze burning in the back of my mind.

"You're working, with him out of all people. Out of how many fucking places in this damn planet? With him."

He was gripping the wheel so hard, I was afraid the healing cuts would reopen from last night. I dare to gently take his hand, caressing my thumb over his bare knuckles.

"I don't have to let a person influence my decisions."

"You don't-" He staggers, stumbling for the words. "I'm not saying you have to. Don't put words into my mouth right now, Luna."

I drop his hand, suddenly frustrated. "You could easily continue to scold me for something as irrelevant as this shit just as easily as I could get out of this damn car. Right now, Javis."