Page 88 of Eternal
“It’s notjustmy pocket, idiot,” he said, almost laughing.
Why was I smiling?
Was I flirting? Was this what Kat meant by teasing? Because I liked how it threw him off.
He jerked the bike slightly, slowing down, his voice lower. “If you don’t stop, Voron, I’m putting us both into a wall.”
I laughed, this time, leaning closer, resting my hand on his back for balance. “Okay, okay. I’ll behave.”
But as we fell back into silence, I couldn’t ignore the way his posture seemed to loosen a little. Maybe I wasn’t flirting. Maybe I was simply...team bondingwith him.
Wait. Why am I even using that expression?
It was his, and Iknewit was his, and here I was, parroting it like some idiot.
Team bonding.
I shot him a look, trying to shake the thought away.
We pulled up to a small joint on a street lined with restaurants and fast-food spots. I glanced around, raising an eyebrow.
Wait. I knew this place.
This is my favorite spot in the city.
I raised an eyebrow, narrowing my eyes at him. “How do you know this is my spot?”
He didn’t look at me, simply smirked slightly. “Partner telepathy.”
Creepy…
I rolled my eyes, but my stomach had other priorities, growling loud enough to break any argument I might’ve had.
“You want me to stay here?” I asked, trying not to sound desperate, but my eyes probably gave me away.
I hated places like this.
Too many people, too much noise. It’s not that I can’t handle it, I simply don’twantto.
I’ve been to enough crowded spots to know they don’t bring anything but annoyance. I’d rather wait outside, alone, like I always do when Vik or Kat drag me here, they go in, and I stay out. It’s not sad. It’s... easier. Plus, I’m injured.
He shrugged, already getting up and walking toward the door. “Yeah. I’ll grab the food. What do you want?”
I rattled off my order with a little too much excitement. “Burrito. Extra chicken. No black beans, only rice. Guac. And jalapeños if they’ve got them.”
He glanced at me for a second, took off his helmet and smiled, if we can call that a smile. Then, without a word, he turned toward the door.
I handed him my credit card, expecting him to take it without thinking much of it.
He looked at the card, then at me, then at the card again and shook his head slightly. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Don’t ever do that again,partner.”
I nodded and pulled the card back, trying not to show any embarrassment. “Thanks.”
He tapped my helmet lightly, his gaze softening barely enough to show he wasn't mad, more like he was amused. “Be right back.”
I watched him walk away, my eyes following curiously the curve of his back, the way his shoulders tensed and relaxed with every step.
He’s so…steady.
