Page 122 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“Yeah, he sounds as strong-willed as you do.”
“No, he’s a pacifist who sticks his nose in books.”
“And you’d prefer him to be more extroverted?”
“Umm, yeah,” he drawls. “We might have more in common if he lived a little.”
I gesture at the demo car race on the screen in front of us. “Does he get into any of this stuff?”
“He doesn’t do video games, and he’s also never taken a real life driving lesson.”
“But he’s turning sixteen soon. Doesn’t he want to drive around?”
Kai shakes his head, his gaze lifting to the racing simulator’s roof. “Nope, he’s not interested. Fraidy cat.”
“He’s legit, scared of driving?”
Kai nods, meeting my eyes again. “I think so.”
“Oh.”
Kai’s eyes widen, and he jolts in his seat. “Don’t say anything!”
I choke out of shock. “Huh?”
“Don’t blab about Milo. I don’t want people giving him crap about it.”
My hands rush over the space above my heart. “Kai, I wouldn’t.”
“It’s just…” He sighs. “He’s my brother, so it’s one thing if I say it, but I’m not giving permission for anyone else…”
I grab his bicep, halting his frantic words. “I’m serious, Kai. I won’t talk about your brother.” I release him and exhale, staring at my lap. “Geez, I’ve promised to keep my mouth shut about your best friend. I’m not replacing her attacks with new ones against Milo.”
“Tabby, I didn’t mean… I know you’re not willingly attacking people. It’s just, your friends are vicious, and I was afraid in the heat of the moment something might slip out.”
My hands rush to massage my temples. “Oh crap. Don’t put that in my head. That’s a real scenario.”
He gulps. “I know.”
My lip quivers as I stare into his eyes. “I won’t do it. I won’t betray you like that.”
His warm smile melts the triggers spiking inside me. He pulls my hands from the sides of my face and lays them in his. “Deep down, you’re a good person. That’s what’s real.”
“But you’re scared of what I could say.”
There’s a flex in his jaw. “True. But I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t give you an opportunity to change.”
My shoulders loosen with the sentiment. “Wow.”
His grip on my hands tightens. “I really do like you, Tabby.” He sniggers. “Maybe I shouldn’t, but I do.”
A shiver runs up my back, along my arms, and into my hands.
Kai gives me an unsure look. “You good?”
A nervous giggle spills out of me. “So good.”
His hands run up my arm, briskly rubbing warmth into them.
