I exhale sharply, not realizing that I’d been holding my breath, and shut my eyes.
The heat in the car is stifling, and Liam hurries around to climb into the driver’s seat and start the engine.
He lowers the windows, letting the heat escape, but it’s still stifling. It could also be the heat between us burning me alive.
“You okay?” he asks as I feel the car hum to life and the engine is louder than expected. It’s almost like you have to shout over the roar to hear one another, at least with the windows down.
“Fine.” I open my eyes and glance at him.
He puts the car in reverse, backs us out of the parking space and pulls onto the main road.
“You can drop me off at the bus station, it’s not too late.”
“What fun is that when I can hold you hostage for the next couple of hours?”
I laugh at the absurdity and stare at him. His jaw is relaxed, more so than usual. Whenever I’m around him, he’s tense and aggravated with me.
I tend to have that effect on him.
“Maybe I should jump out at the next stop sign.”
He chuckles under his breath, shaking his head. “You are something else.”
“You mean, aside from the enemy?” I can’t help but smirk.
I’ve always hated Liam Moretti. He’s a pompous, arrogant jock. Although I despised him long before he started playing hockey.
My hatred for Liam began in the first grade, when he thought it would be funny to raise my desk into the air with his feet.
I was tiny, and it took nothing for him to make me airborne. A few of the kids behind me were laughing. One of them called me floater.
He may not have given me the shitty nickname, but he was responsible for starting the drama.
Never once did he apologize or stop the other kids from bullying me.
I tried ignoring Liam. He kept poking me with his eraser and pulling my pigtails to get my attention.
I went to the teacher, who did nothing about it.
And when I wouldn’t give Liam the time of day, he lifted my desk chair once again. So, I got up, and I slugged him.
I left behind a mark.
After that, we were sworn enemies.
Liam nods. “I do recall you throwing a mean right hook.”
“You deserved it.” I glare at him.
He doesn’t answer me.
The silence is overwhelming.
“Are you still bitter that I beat your ass?”
Liam laughs under his breath. “Only because I’d never hit a girl.”
We arrive at campus, and I’m expecting Liam to drop me off and leave.