leans closer. I feel like I can’t move. Like I’m rooted to the spot, all my focus on him. I can smell his cologne, which is perfect, and the mint on his breath. His lips are nicely arched and look really soft.
It makes me think about kissing.
He leans down and whispers in my ear: “Outside, five minutes.”
He pats my chest, his hand lingering against me for a second, and then walks away.
Okay, fuck.
I turn, and watch as he leaves the bar. Then I scan the crowd.
Nobody is even looking my way. Everyone is too wrapped up in their own conversations, their own drama. Vince sinks a ball and then grins. It looks like a close game, and Ethan’s face is set in concentration.
Nobody saw him touch me.
Let me process this. The boy who hasn’t left my brain in over a week wants to see me again. Outside.
I crack my neck, and then the bartender notices me. I don’t want anything, but I don’t want it to seem like I was here just to get Jason’s attention.
“What can I getcha?” he asks.
“Er, just a Coke?”
He frowns, like that’s weird, but pours me one. It costs five dollars.
FIVE DOLLARS FOR A COKE. And that’s a Miller price.
So stupid.
I sip it slowly. It’s ice-cold, so it’s actually pretty delicious. But still, five dollars. I wait a while, just thinking. Has it been five minutes yet? I doubt it. I think he asked me to wait so people don’t think we left, like, together.
I finish my Coke and put the glass down on the bar. The ice rattles.
I stand and find my legs are shaking. I cross the room as quickly as I can, keeping my stare down so I don’t accidentally catch anyone’s eye, and then step outside. It’s humid out here, like an armpit.
Florida can be disgusting.
Jason is leaning against the wall of the alley. It’s so dark I can barely see him.
“Hey,” he says as he detaches from the wall. “For a second there I didn’t think you were coming.”
I shrug, managing to look everywhere but at him.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad,” he says. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all week. I had so much fun with you.”
“Oh, um, cool.”
He grins at me, then starts walking down the street. I fall into step beside him. We’re going away from Sunshine Diner. I’m kind of bummed. I want more of those waffle fries in my life.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“I love that you asked that,” he says. “So trusting, like a little lamb.”
I scoff. “I didn’t say I’d go anywhere with you. I just want to know what the plan is. Don’t you want to go to the diner again?”
He shakes his head. “Not tonight.”
We reach the parking lot of the bar. I’m a little worried about how well lit it is. I feel like anyone could see me.
I turn and look at the bar. The upstairs windows face the lot.
He stops in front of a small silver Toyota and unlocks it with a fob. Its lights flash orange.
“Um,” I say. “I don’t know about this.”
“About what?”
“I don’t think getting in a car with, no offense, pretty much a total stranger, is a good idea.”
He tosses his keys up and down. “Why is that?”
“I dunno. I just want to be smart. No offense, but for all I know you could be a murderer.”
“I mean, maybe I am,” he says, and he grins.
“Hey, please don’t joke. I’m actually nervous.”
His face drops. “Oh, okay, sorry. Listen, I’m not going to hurt you. Look at me, I promise.”
I look into his eyes, searching for any warning signs.
There aren’t any.
He seems honest.
But something tells me that murder victims think the same thing before they’re killed.
Jason looks hurt that I don’t fully trust him. I get that. I would probably be pretty offended if someone implied they thought I might be a murderer.
“Seriously,” he says. “You’re going to be fine. I’m sorry I joked. I just know somewhere I think you’ll like. And to get there, we need to drive. We could go to the diner if you want, but trust me, this would be more fun. You in or you out?”
I should move fast, in case Dad looks out and sees me.
I get in the car.
CHAPTER FIVE
Luckily, Jason is a good driver.
Or, he’s at least competent. He’s not, like, swerving all over the road and nearly hitting people, and he’s obeyed every road rule I’ve noticed. He stops at yellow lights, is