Page 9 of Leave Me Behind
“What?”
“This is the part where you’re supposed to be afraid of me.”
I take a sip of my coffee before looking over the empty diner. My eyes move back to his. “You don’t scare me.” He does, though, just a little.
A sinister expression takes over his handsome face and sends chills up my spine.
“Is that so?” He lifts his drink and takes a few swigs. His Adam’s apple bobs a few times and I hate how intently I watch it. He sets the cup back down and licks his lips. “Whatisa girl like you afraid of then?”
I try thinking of what scares me.
I was afraid of losing Jenkins and my squad, but that already happened.
“The ocean.” My smile is mischievous.
He grins sarcastically. “Are you serious?”
I laugh. “Of course! Tons of people are scared of the ocean. It’s fucking huge and it’s so easy to lose control of things out there in the vast waters.” I shudder just talking about it.
Bradshaw leans forward with his elbow on the table, his chin resting on his palm. Strands of his black hair are splayed over his forehead and make him all the more lovely. He blinks at me like my words are interesting and contentment tugs at his smile.
“What are you looking at?” I ask, annoyed.
“At the woman who fears the ocean but not me,” he taunts.
My eyes narrow. “Well, what is a guy like you afraid of?” I playfully nudge his shoe with mine. I could be in a throwback movie right now, flirting with the man of my dreams. I muse about that as I watch him hesitate to answer. “Well?”
“Nothing scares me.”
“That’s bullshit.” My nudging foot turns into a kicking one.
He shoots me a glare before breaking and shaking his head with another one of his soothing laughs.
“Okay, fine. I guess if I had to name one thing, it’d be outliving my twin.”
I nod. “He’s the only person that matters to you?”
His eyes flicker. “He’s the only one left.”
So there were others, but they aren’t around anymore. I lean back and cross my arms. I’m no stranger to loss. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Bradshaw lifts a shoulder. “That’s life.” He pauses before changing the topic. “So what’s a person like you doing here in Coronado?” He signals the waitress that we’re done with our meals.
“Just trying new locations. Seeing what suits me,” I lie. The waitress trots over with the check and my cheeks warm when he hands her cash before I can object.
“Thanks,” I say as the waitress walks away.
He holds out his hand for mine expectantly. I slip my fingers over his.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone I enjoy talking to other than Eren.” He brushes his thumb over the tips of my fingers before releasing my hand and nodding toward the exit.
“Same. But obviously without Eren,” I mutter. Bradshaw makes a face and shakes his head with a smirk.
“See? You just say weird things.”
“So do you.”
“Maybe that’s why I don’t mind you.”
