Page 32 of Rebellious

I totally sent those pictures to aggravate him.

“It’s against the rules.”

I cock a brow. “Looking at pictures of us?”

He sighs. He knows looking at pictures is not against the rules.

“Say you’re going to miss me,” I demand, laughing.

I meant it teasingly, but when he grips the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white, I know he is not in the teasing mood. But since I’ve already put my foot in my mouth, I keep going, trying to salvage this car ride. “I mean, if you think about it, Fenn has some similarities to me. Our eyes are the same color blue, and he uses all the hot water. Toss him some gum—” I wave the pack in my hand, “—and he’ll be just like me, except uglier.”

“We need gas,” is how he answers.

“Okay.”

“Text Drew and tell him.”

“Why? They know the way home.”

It’s not like they need to follow us home. Unless… No. He couldn’t want to swap cars. “I’m not riding with them,” I blurt out harshly.

He rears back as if I had slapped him. “I didn’t ask you to.”

Oh. Okay, then.

He pulls off the exit and turns into the first gas station he spots. “You need to use the bathroom?”

I shake my head. “I’m fine.”

“Anything to drink?”

I smile. “I’m good, I promise.”

I watch as Bennett gets out and stands by the SUV, pumping gas, all sexy in his sunglasses like some kind of model. Why must he be such a good man? Why can’t he just bang me in the backseat? Hell, at this point, I don’t think I’d mind a romp in a grungy gas station bathroom.

I just need something—anything.

Somehow, I tear my eyes away and turn on the radio. I find the country music Bennett likes and recline my seat, closing my eyes until I hear the door close and something hit my stomach.

Cracking open an eyelid, I spot the pack of gum Bennett tossed. “Thanks, BJ.”

He groans, starting up the car and easing out onto the roadway. He doesn’t even thank me for playing his “Yeehaw” music in the background.

“Drew mentioned he and Fenn were heading to the lake after the carnival,” he finally says, breaking the silence.

I sit up and turn the music down. “Oh, really?”

Bennett nods, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “We always enjoyed summers at the lake house.”

I grin, remembering all the times we searched for hidden coves and the best swimming spots. “Yeah. We did.”

“Maybe we should go.”

Maybe he read my mind. “You want to?”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I do.”

It takes all the restraint in the world not to squeal and hug him. “Okay, then. We’re headed to the lake as soon as the carnival is over.”

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