I led Juliette out towards the car and held her door open as she slid inside. By the time I got in, Juliette was buckled into her seat, facing the window, her back to me. Fuck.
“Baby?”
She shrugged.
“It’s just me and you now, Juls. Can I see your beautiful face?”
Juliette turned to look at me, and I reared back at the venom in her glare. I was expecting her to be upset, but not angry.
“Take me home, please.”
Fuck. I couldn’t force her to stay with me, but nor could I leave her like this. If we parted ways like this, not only would I be a dick for leaving her alone and upset, but I might not get another chance to fix whatever the hell happened in that bar.
“Baby, I really don’t want to do that. I want to talk. Do you want to go to your place or mine?”
“Mine. Alone.”
“Your stuff and your car are at my apartment. How about if we pick up some ice cream, go back to my place, and talk for a few minutes. Then if you still want to go home, you can.”
I left out the fact that I’d fight like hell to keep her with me, or that if she insisted on leaving, I’d be the one driving her home. I wasn’t letting her drive this upset.
I felt her resolve wavering. I clenched my jaw, holding back the words fighting for release. It went against my every instinct to sit quietly and watch her struggle, but it needed to be her choice to open up and let me in.
After several long minutes of palpable silence filling the car, Juliette finally cleared her throat and spoke. “Fine. But only because my car and the things I need for tomorrow are at your apartment. I’m not staying.”
“Okay. Do you want ice cream before you go?
“Yes. With hot fudge.”
Thank fuck. “You got it, baby.”
I parked in the lot of a convenience store and hurried to Juliette’s side. She was already out of the car, but I stepped in front of her, blocking her in before she could walk away from me. She stared at my chest, refusing to look me in the eye.
“Baby.” I softly cupped her cheek, loving that even upset, she leaned into my hand. She finally looked up at me, and I almost wished she hadn’t. The despair in her eyes ran so deep. It cut me to the core that she felt so sad, and even more that being out with me and my friends had caused it. I wanted to always be a safe spot for her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Can you tell me what has you so upset?”
“I’m sorry I ruined your night. We could have stayed with your friends longer. The band was good too, right?
“Baby, I don’t care about any of that. You want to leave, we leave. Always. I don’t care what we’re doing.”
To my horror, she pulled back and glared, her eyes cold and hard despite brimming with unshed tears. Her hands clenched into tiny fists. “No! I don’t want that. I saw your fucking smile when I couldn’t even tap to the beat. Then your friends come around, just being nice and normal and friendly, but no, I can’t handle that. Thank God I have you to save me.”
What the fuck? I took a breath before speaking, trying to keep my voice calm. “You’re mad that I thought you were cute? That I tried to stop them from embarrassing you?”
“No!” She blew out a long breath, looked me straight in the eye, and calmly lied. “Never mind, it’s nothing. I’m sorry I overreacted.” She reached for my hand and moved in closer again. She even smiled at me.
Now I was really pissed. “Does that act work with other people? Because I can tell you that it’s not going to work on me. Don’t fucking lie to me.”
“Wh-what? I’m not lying.”
“You are. You’re lying if you tell me you’re okay when you are not. You’re lying if you tell me you’re not mad at me when you are.”
“No. I…I… It’s just that… I am okay. I mean, maybe not all okay, but I will be. Really.”
All the steam left my body. I hated hearing her so nervous to talk to me. “Come here, baby.”