Page 30 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

That does it. His smile doesn’t fall, but I can see it turn sour. Jaded almost.

“Yeah, God forbid your family knows what is going on.”

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I told you what I think about it. Take it or leave it.”

For a while he doesn’t say anything. We drive in silence, the street lamps illuminating the strong lines of his face every so often, the play of light and shadow giving him an edge I’m not used to seeing on him. Finally, he sighs. “I’m sorry for being a jackass.”

“I’m kind of used to it by now.”

He gives me a quick glare that has a smile tugging at my lips, but I bite the inside of my cheek to keep it from spreading.

“Okay, fine. You’re forgiven. So where are you taking me?” I ask, looking at the road. We’re already at the outskirts of Greyford, where there is less traffic, and the street lamps are further apart.

“I told you, it’s a surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises.” I cross my arms over my chest, pouting. Which makes his grin pop out once again.

“Well, you’ll have to wait and see.”

“Are you taking me out of town so it’s easier to get rid of my body once you kill me?”

Noah throws me a quick glance before returning his attention to the road. “You have a pretty messed-up mind, did you know that?”

“So people keep telling me.” I shrug nonchalantly. While most girls get giddy about rom-coms and romance novels, I prefer a murder mystery. The bloodier it is, the happier I’ll be.

He chuckles, shaking his head.

Figuring we’re done with the conversation, I decide to play with the radio to find something more upbeat, but Noah’s hand shoots forward, clasping over mine.

“What now? Can’t change the radio station either?”

“We’ll be there soon.”

“That’s just a shitty excuse for not allowing me to mess with the radio.”

Shaking off his hand, I start changing the station, all the time pointedly looking at him and waiting for him to say something so I can tell him I was right, but Noah keeps quiet. I bet it takes everything in him to do so, but he does.

I’m still leaning forward, messing with the radio, when I see lights not too far in front of us.

“Is that…”

“Yup.” The P pops, and the grin is back.

I shove him slightly in the shoulder, which just makes him laugh harder. It’s a nice laugh. A rumble that comes from somewhere deep in his lungs.

“How…”

“One of the guys on the team mentioned it today. Somebody bought the old drive-in theater and decided to re-open it. It should be once a month for now, and then depending on how many people are interested, they might open it more often,” Noah explains as he drives us inside and parks in the first open space.

For something that just opened, there is quite a crowd gathered here. Probably twenty or so cars. I recognize a few of them as the ones our classmates drive to school.

“So… what do you say?” He’s almost giddy with excitement. Like a little boy who just entered a candy store.

“Well, I guess I won’t have to knee you in the balls, so there’s that.”

“What?” He covers his crotch defensively. “Why would you do that?”

“Well, that was my defense in case you actually brought me here, to the middle of nowhere, to kill me. Knee you in the balls and run for my life.”

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