Page 73 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

Gio’s finger pointed at the passenger seat next to him. “Get in.”

Yeah, that wasn’t going to work for me. I defiantly needed my own vehicle this weekend.

“Sorry, I got somewhere to be.”

Before he could say another word, I stuck my hand out the open window, gave him a wave, and peeled away.

The benefit to living in Sault Saint Marie Estates for two years, was knowing where the pothole in the road were. I’d driven down this road so many times that I didn’t even have to think about my curves and turns.

I easily wove my way down the pavement while Gio’s Range Rover skipped and ground. But the real icing on the cake were the yelled out curses that followed each sharp scrape.

I’d gained some decent distance by the time I drove out of the trailer park. That of course didn’t last long. It was only about three minutes before I saw the dark hood of his vehicle in my rear-view mirror.

Less than a minute after that, Gio was pulling up beside me. My guess was to cut me off. There was no way my truck would beat his in a speed competition. However, there was a drive in on the right hand side of the road. And I was in the mood for something sweet.

Gio followed as I cranked my steering wheel to the right and ordered a chocolate chip muffin and iced cap. The best part was the gate that would cut people off at the window until they paid. I made sure to let the cashier know that my ‘boyfriend’ in the car behind me would be taking care of the bill. I assumed that’s what the endless stream of calls I got after driving away were about.

Let me just say, that was the best muffin I’d ever had. I enjoyed every single bite, all the way up until I parked next to Gio’s house.

He wasn’t far behind, and was driving kind of crazy. His tires squealed against the asphalt as he revved up and sharply pulled to a stop.

I swallowed down the last of my coffee then stepped out onto the driveway.

The bang that came from Gio’s door slamming was so loud that I could feel the vibrations in my bones. That should’ve been my warning.

“Hey,” I sang as he stormed my way. “What took you so long?”

Ever see someone’s brain explode? Like just pop in their skull. It was truly a sight to behold. Gio stopped midstride and stared at me with a blank expression. His lips parted as if he was going to say something, but nothing came out. I broke him. It was fantastic.

Then his eyes darkened.

GIOVANNI

Iwas going to fucking kill her.

Nova had been testing my sanity all week long. Laughing and smiling at her blonde friend, while playing around in home ec with Atlee like they were at summer camp or some shit. I had to listen to bitches drone on and on about how fucking cute they were for days. It was bullshit, and I intended to make her pay for every single time my jaw ticked.

Novalee was already treading on thin ice. And what did she do? She ignored my god damn texts then sent me on a wild goose chase that cost me three dollars and twenty-six cents. I hope she enjoyed that muffin. By the time I was done with her, the only thing Nova would be able to taste was the pain radiating from her ass.

I yanked on the steering wheel and tore down the driveway, kicking loose rocks up into the air with my back tires. Nova’s beat up truck was parked by the house. I could see her sitting inside sipping on from a takeout cup, like she didn’t have a care in the world.

My tires squealed to a stop as my nostrils flared with the scent of burning rubber.

When Nova stepped causally out of her truck, I lost it. I threw my door open and charged out onto the driveway with murder on my mind.

Who the fuck did she think she was? I did not put up with this childish bullshit from anyone. Especially not her. Nova would damn well do what I told her to, when I told her to, period. There were no ifs, ands or buts. This shit was going to stop now!

“Hey.” Nova lifted her chin and gave me a smile that made my teeth grind. “What took you so long?”

I stopped cold.

Every muscle in my body tensed as I physically felt my mind snap in a single pop that sent a river of rage boiling through my veins. What fucking took me so long? Did she want to die?

I stared back at her stand there in the fading sun, wearing powder blue cotton shorts and a light pink tank top. But it was the look on her face–coated in sweetness and dripping with victory–that my hand itch to crack off the side of her face.

One lowly growled word came out of my lips. “Run.”

That spark of satisfaction on her face melted away as her big hazel eyes rounded. “Gio?—”

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