This Much is True - Tia Louise Page 0,20

in front of it. I’m sorry is crawled across the top sheet.

I study her a moment. Her light hair is wavy against her cheeks, and her face is relaxed. Her skin has the slightest gold tone, like she’s been in the sun, and her nose tilts up at the end. Her lips are full and pink, and damn, I want to kiss her. I want to fuck her hard, but I want to kiss her softly, pull her lips with mine, touch her nose.

Stepping away, I scrub my hands over my face, forcing these thoughts to stop.

I don’t know where this is coming from. I don’t even know this girl. I’m exhausted and frustrated and too much anger is driving me. I have to stay in control. The last thing I can afford to do is make a foolish mistake with this dreamy-eyed girl, this innocent who stumbled into my path and doesn’t belong here.

Going to the other chair, I set my phone alarm to wake us in two hours and try to get comfortable. We’ve got to get on the road and make up for lost time. The sooner I get to Fireside, the sooner I can take care of business—and put both of them on a bus back to California.

Jr

It’s a long day driving across Texas, with a whole lot of nothing to see except miles and miles of flat, brown desert dotted with cacti and, I imagine, rattlesnakes.

My brother seems to have caught up on all his words. He’s quiet in the backseat most of the day, watching out the window with a Red Vine in his mouth. Hope seems withdrawn, and I guess it’s because of our moment. She leans against the door, and I think she’s asleep.

I’m pushing us hard—mostly because every time I glance at her, I still see her blue eyes looking up at me so open and needy. I’ll probably never forget the sight of her small breasts, nipples tight, beneath my shirt.

I have to forget.

We’ve been driving since morning, stopping only for gas and snacks. At this point, we’ve gone ten hours on Red Vines, Slim Jims, and sunflower seeds, but I want to get through Texas. We switched from I-10 to Interstate-20 several hours ago, and we’re on the other side of Dallas, closing in on the state line when my brother comes to life.

“Come on, man, we’ve got to stop for food,” he groans, shifting in his seat. “I can’t eat another Red Vine.”

“Can you make it to Shreveport?” I glance at him in the mirror.

“Only if you let me drive.”

“Deal.”

We make one last pitstop in Longview to gas up and switch drivers. Hope hangs back, looking cute in that dress and those boots I bought her, sneaking glances at me as we stand around, stretching our legs and waiting on my brother.

Walking over to where she’s hanging by the car, I put a hand on my hip. “It’s okay.”

“Okay?” She smiles, barely meeting my eyes before looking away again.

“Yeah.” I feel like I ought to say something more reassuring, so I tell her what I’ve been thinking about all day. “What you told Scout about that guy… Wade?”

Her eyes go wide as pink fills her cheeks. “You were listening to that?”

“I’m not deaf when we’re in the car together.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Anyway, I’ve known guys like that—who can’t be honest about themselves for whatever reason.”

Her slim brows furrow, and she looks up at me curiously. “You have?”

“I’m from South Carolina.” She frowns like she doesn’t understand, and I explain. “It’s pretty religious there.”

“Ohh…” Her chin lifts.

“Guys like that can be cruel—especially to people who are sure of themselves. Like you.”

She blinks up at me, wrinkling her nose in that sweet way she does. “I’m not always so sure.”

We’re right back to where we were last night with her looking at me in that way that feels like an open invitation. I’m starting to wonder what the fuck is wrong with me. She had pulled back. She was giving me space. Why can’t I leave well enough alone?

I clear my throat, backing away from her like she’s an electric fence. “Well, that’s all.”

Scout jogs up, and I’m glad to let him take over the conversation. “Everybody ready?”

“Yes.” The gruff is back in my voice.

Climbing in the car, I take the backseat, determined to keep her at arm’s length before I forget what I reminded myself this morning. This girl has no business in my world, especially considering what I’m doing,