Page 82 of Trust Me

Chapter 23

Oliver

After sending a text to Dean, I slipped out the front door. As I headed toward my car, I looked up at the sky and snorted. Of course it was clear right now, but I was positive that tonight, the clouds would come back around to block my view of the stars.

Settling in the driver’s seat, I looked up again. Remi always said the stars were sparks from . . . whatever that fire-realm was called. It had something to do with Odin, but the name was gibberish to me.

Something caught my eye, drawing me away from the sky. I blinked a few times, trying to process what was making its way down the stairs—Dean, barefoot, tugging a shirt over his head while trying to hold onto a pair of sneakers. My gaze lingered on his torso until it was no longer visible, and I found my mouth watering.

Before he made it to the car, I jumped out and came around the front of it. Leaning against the hood, I tried to act casual.

“Hey there, you, big guy, Dean.” I scrunched my nose and gritted my teeth, regretting that I’d ever learned how to speak, if you could call it that.

One corner of his lips curved upward. “Morning to you too.”

“What are you, uh, doing up this early?”

“You’re up this early.” When I didn’t respond, he went on. “I thought I could tag along. If you’re into the idea.”

“Of course,” I said immediately.

He smiled fully this time and moved to my side of the car. I was going to ask him what he was doing, but he opened the door and gestured for me to get in.

So much for taking a step back.

Once I was seated, I nodded at him. I kept my eyes on him the entire time—as he closed the door, walked around to his side, and when he took his place next to me. He pulled his shoes on, and before he could notice that I was staring, I started the engine.

To fill the silence that stretched between us, I turned on Spotify and started tapping my fingers to the music. He didn’t make any other comments as I drove into the main part of the city. I wished he would, because it felt exceedingly awkward to force conversation.

Why did it feel forced? That was the question I couldn’t shake. It was just like the early days, back when Dean snubbed my every attempt to connect with him. Was it him, or was it me?

“So, why do you want to come?” I asked.

“Nothing better to do.”

“I see.”

“You’re acting dull. Everything alright?”

“Dull? I’m sharp enough to slice through a Titan’s nape.”

“Whatever you say.”

Shaking my head, I focused on planning out my day. Cyrus would be expecting me, probably waiting around early so he could tell me about what had happened since I last saw him. Deciding I would meet him first, I hung a right toward the same block where Dean had thought I was getting mugged.

A little laugh escaped me, drawing his attention.

“Remember when Tilian asked if I was Jesus?”

He grunted. “The guy is weird as hell.”

“He’s an odd duck,” I agreed. “Definitely some demons up in that head.”

“Pretty sure he’s the demon.”

“Yikes.” Discreetly, I glanced at him. “Will you protect me from him?”

“Only if you beg.”