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He bends his head slightly, apparently delighted with my answer. Or rather pleased that I’m entering the verbal joust. I get the impression that his goal is to piss me off.
His eyes begin to glow the moment he comes up with an adequate answer, and I purse my lips.
“Trust me, I’m not in the mood.”
He must see in my face that I am not joking. He comes a little closer and smooths out my bangs as if he wanted to analyze my hair more closely. What’s his problem?!
“Are you alright?” His hoarse voice is serious now.
On principle, I don’t back down. I keep my eyes on his as my body tenses. It’s my stupid mind acting up again. “Do you think I would tell you if something was wrong?”
Tucker smiles softly, and I notice that his bottom lip is a little fuller than the top one. He runs his tongue over it, as if he’s holding back from speaking.
Something splashes onto the middle of my forehead. I touch it with my fingertip: rain. No! As the downpour begins, Tucker pushes me toward the entrance of the building.
“Shit,” he growls, “let’s get inside before we look like wet dogs again.”
The students who were outside rush in with us, some of the girls squealing as they pass. Tucker is about to take cover but notices me walking in the opposite direction.
“What the hell are you doing?” he shouts in a deep voice in my direction.
Under the increasingly powerful torrents of water, I yell, “My car!”
I rush to my Chevrolet as the rain hits the worn leather inside. This car is all I have left of my father. I will never ever let it be destroyed. I’ll never let go like that idiot Rose in Titanic did!
“Damn it,” someone swears behind me. “You crazy chick.”
I hear footsteps pounding on the ground behind me as I finally arrive at my car. I jump into the driver’s seat, which is also taking on water, and turn on the ignition. The top goes up a little bit and then stops. It’s stuck.
“No, no, come on, baby,” I moan, my hair sticking to my face.
“It looks like the rain is trying to send us a message!” Tucker exclaims as he comes up beside me.
“What the hell are you doing? Go back inside, you idiot.”
Despite the rain, I notice the small smile on his face, but it quickly fades as I start chattering my teeth, completely soaked. Tucker unzips his jacket and throws it at me.
“Put that on,” he commands me as he sits in the passenger seat and tries to find the manual roof mechanism.
Stunned, I don’t move a muscle as he manually forces it open. Water drips down his arms in the midst of his effort. I approach him and, without thinking, position the coat over both our heads. Our bodies are soaked but our heads are safe, temporarily.
“Come on,” I almost beg, and his eyes suddenly catch mine.
A new thunderclap rings out as the hood finally decides to cooperate. The roof closes slowly.
Nevertheless, Tucker doesn’t move, an enigmatic look on his face. Why did he come to help me when he usually enjoys pissing me off? I can’t process him, and my brain comes out frustrated. This guy is really too complex.
But isn’t complexity what makes things more attractive?
No, no, no. No, no, no. Nonsense. I don’t need complexity in my life! I step back and slap his now soaked jacket on his chest.
7. Pack Leader
Iris
“Okay, are you ready?” Buck asks me as he walks around the bar to join me.
He doesn’t wait for my answer and hands me a tray with four beers on it. I pick it up, trying not to spill anything.
