Then silence.
I wasn’t aware of it at first because I’d tumbled into an aquamarine tempest. My mind was fully occupied with memories of Halloween night, of his hands on me, his mouth on mine, the hot velvet touch of his tongue. Preoccupation with my memories became something else—fixation on a wish…I think—and my chest felt heavy and full.
I only became aware of the quiet when it was broken.
“Claire, can I take a look under your hood? I think, uh, one of your engine mounts might be loose. I heard a rattling sound when you pulled up,” Beau said, as he took Claire’s elbow in hand and walked her toward her truck, not waiting for a response.
If she made one I swear I didn’t hear it. The soundtrack in my brain had started again. This time Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was playing, the music swelling, carrying my sense out to sea.
Duane and I were now basically alone, giving each other hot looks.
CHAPTER 6
“Don't let your luggage define your travels, each life unravels differently.”
― Shane Koyczan
Duane
I was going to kiss her.
But first I was going to strangle her.
“Duane…” She said my name again in that breathless way, making my neck itch and my throat tighten.
Jessica was looking at me expectantly. Her big amber eyes on mine like I was the center of her world. I liked it too much. It was also irritating because I didn’t know what it meant, what she was thinking. She hadn’t said a damn word to me on our walk back from the lake. She hadn’t called me. We hadn’t spoken since Friday.
Five days. Five days without touching or tasting her.
I was going to kiss her while I strangled her.
“Yeah?” I said, the edge of my irritation clear. I wasn’t trying to hide it, there was no need. One way or the other we were coming to an agreement that involved something definite, not definitely maybes. Better she knew I wasn’t planning on rolling over unless it involved her beneath me.
Jessica blinked at me, likely because of my tone, and I watched her shake herself a little like I’d startled her.
“Uh, so…the truck.” She cleared her throat, her eyes sliding to the side and away from me.
“What about the truck?”
“You towed it.”
“Yes, I did.” I allowed myself a moment to look at her body. She was wearing a thin, pink shirt with buttons down the front, with a white, lacy tank top under. It was tucked into a tan skirt that ended at her knees. She was also wearing brown high-heeled boots, the kind that don’t make sense.
Boots are for working, for walking through wet mud, for keeping feet from getting shredded by broken glass and falling machine parts. Boots with spiked heels were just as practical as sandals with steel toes.
Still not looking at me, she asked, “So, you want to buy it?” Her voice was different, higher pitched.
“That’s what I just said.” Again, my irritation was clear.
Her eyes cut to mine, throwing me splinters of frustration. “Well there’s no need to be rude, Duane.”
“I’m sorry, was I being rude?” I couldn’t help myself, I took a full step forward, forcing her to lift her chin to keep eye contact. “Should I have called?”
“Yes,” she ground out. “You can’t just tow other peoples’ cars without asking.”
“Excuse me, Princess. But Mike McClure called me and asked if I minded moving the truck here. I figured he was calling on your behalf.”
“No, he wasn’t calling on my behalf. If I wanted to call you, I would have just called you.”
I felt those words in my stomach, just under my ribs, a quick slice. I’m sure I winced because her expression changed, but before she could explain away her meaning, I cut her off.
“Fine, I get you, loud and clear.”
“Duane—”
I lifted my hands to keep her from talking. She was so lovely, even her voice was pretty. But suddenly I couldn’t wait for her to leave and put me out of this misery of being with her when she wasn’t interested in being mine.
“We want to buy the truck and I’m willing to offer you a fair amount.”
“Would you just hold on a sec?” Jessica took my hand between hers, her grip surprisingly strong, her skin against mine sending a shock up my arm. I ignored it and ground my teeth.
“You can use the money for a new car, something smaller that gets better mileage.”
Paying no heed, Jessica took a half step forward, catching me unawares. One second she was glaring at me, the next she was lifting to her tiptoes and brushing her lips against mine. That was it, I was done for.
I was surprised, so it took me a second to respond.
But I was also motivated, so it only took me a second to respond.