Surge - Maya Nicole Page 0,59

a noise of annoyance. "This is a traffic stop, boy, not a shakedown. Unless you're hiding something?"

"I don't mean to offend you by filming. It's in my cupholder and won't interfere with you doing your job."

I sat up a little straighter in my seat. It sounded so rehearsed and my chest burned with the sudden realization that this was reality for Blake. I would have never even thought to record an interaction with the police.

"One of your taillights is out." The officer looked over at me. "Where are you two headed this evening?"

Blake's jaw ticked. "Just headed to grab a bite to eat. Just got done at Salinity Cove High with our extracurriculars."

"Young lady?" His eyes were locked on me and I met his questioning eyes. "Where are you headed to eat?"

"We haven't decided yet."

He studied me for what felt like entirely too long before his attention was back on Blake. "Let me see your license and registration."

"Sir, I'm going to reach for my wallet in my cupholder to get my license and grab my registration and insurance from my visor."

Blake passed the documents through the window and the office looked at them. "Mr. Huron. You seem nervous. Is there anything in the car I need to know about?"

"No, officer."

"So, you won't mind if I take a look?" Tears sprang to my eyes and I sat on my hands, resisting the urge to give the man a piece of my mind.

"I don't consent to searches." Blake was calmer than I would have been. "Sir, am I free to go, or are you going to give me a ticket for my taillight?"

With a grunt, the officer walked back to his vehicle. Blake cursed under his breath and kept his eyes on the rearview mirror.

"Blake, what's going on?" I reached over to touch his arm and he pulled away, all the while keeping his hands on the steering wheel.

"Just... be quiet," he whispered.

The officer returned a few minutes later. "I'm going to let you go with a warning this time. Get that taillight fixed." He looked over at me again. "Have a nice evening."

Blake put his papers back in his visor with shaky hands and turned off the cell phone before starting the car and pulling back onto the highway.

We rode in silence and took the next exit. He pulled into the far end of a parking lot and parked.

"Get out and go behind my car to check my taillights." He stared straight ahead without looking at me.

"What? Why?"

"Just do it, Ri."

I unhooked my seatbelt and got out of the car, hoping he wasn't going to do something crazy like leave me behind.

"Do they work?" He pressed the brakes a few times and flicked both blinkers.

"Everything works."

As if he didn't believe me, he got out and came to stand next to me. "Get in the car and press the brakes and the blinker."

"Is that really-"

"Yes! It's fucking necessary!"

I did as he asked and got back out. He just stood there, staring at the back of his car. I shifted from one foot to another and he finally looked at me, his eyes holding a pain I didn't understand.

I took a step toward him and he backed up, turning and heading away from me. "Blake! Where are you going?"

"I need a minute." I barely heard him, but stopped myself from following him.

He got to a stray plastic cart, pushed it on its side and gave it a few kicks. He righted it and laced his hands behind his head, his back heaving.

I leaned against the trunk of his car and wondered if there was anything I could say to him to ease his pain and frustration. A million questions flitted through my mind about what had just happened.

A few minutes passed before he turned back around and headed toward the car. He didn't make eye contact or say a word as he got in. I scrambled to the passenger side and got in as he revved his engine.

"I'll take you home."

"What about dinner?"

"I'm not hungry."

He turned the music up loud enough where I couldn't talk and peeled out of the parking lot.

About fifteen minutes later, we pulled into my driveway and he turned off the car, turning toward me. "Do you understand what happened back there?"

"He pulled you over because you're black."

He looked out the front window at the garage door. "My father warned me that the people... the police... wouldn't care how rich I am or what my last name is."

I put