Page 97 of Collided (Dirty Air 2)

“Look who it is. Just in time to keep me from hearing my dad lull me to sleep with his pit talk.” Sophie gives me a quick hug. She rocks braids, jean shorts, and a T-shirt that talks about wearing pink on Wednesdays. Damn I love how she dresses.

I don’t know where to put my hands with her dad staring at me like I want to kidnap his child. “I heard you needed saving.”

Maya looks pointedly at Sophie while rubbing her heart. “Some people appreciate F1. And to think you claim yourself as a fan. You should be revoked of your princess title.”

“I raised a warrior, not a princess. She can protect herself.” Her dad eyes me instead of his daughter.

“Claims the man who made me wear space buns instead of braids like every other normal girl at school. I distinctly remember how you threatened to take away a girl’s glitter lunchbox after she made fun of my hair. Sounds like protecting to me.” Sophie misses every unspoken word her dad sends my way, from his clenched fists to the death stare he shoots me like he knows exactly how attracted I am to his daughter.

I shake off the bad feeling and steal Sophie away, the unwavering sensation of James Mitchell’s eyes following me with each step I take out of the Bandini garage.

I lead Sophie to the Wrangler I rented, ready to knock off one of her last items. She put it off for long enough and I can’t enable her anymore because I prefer to get shit done. Somehow, we crossed off most of her list over the past two months, holding off on a few more because of our limited free time.

“Where are we going?” She buckles her seatbelt.

“I’ve decided to keep it a surprise until we get there.”

Sophie eyes me cautiously but accepts my demand. I drive us through the city as we share the aux cord like a functional couple. She declares my music taste worthy, and I let her play her pop songs.

“Okay. I’m about to hit you with a song that, if you don’t know the lyrics, makes me question if we can be a thing anymore.”

“Just like that? I didn’t think you could be cold, cutting me off like that.”

“Don’t hate the music player…” She presses play and Mario’s “Let Me Love You”streams through the car speakers. Of course, I know this song. Lyrics pour from her lips as she watches Sao Paolo pass us, trees and city streets flying by in a blur of colors.

All I can do is watch her. The way her eyes close and her body moves to the music, not giving a damn if I know the lyrics or not. I join in after a minute because I don’t want to disappoint her. We laugh together when she uses her phone as a fake microphone.

While driving down the street, doing absolutely nothing, the realization hits me that I need to spend more time with her. Our time is coming to an end and I have no idea where life will take me. I’m a fucking idiot for not making Rick push McCoy harder about my stipulation.

Fuck, I’m a coward for not talking to Peter myself and laying down the law. I need to handle this situation ASAP before it’s too late.

Sophie continues playing songs until I pull the car into the parking lot. I hop out of my seat and go around to her door, opening it for her.

“Oh, no.” She clutches onto her seatbelt like a lifeline.

“You only have a few more items. I’ll be there for you the whole time.” I lean over and unbuckle her seatbelt.

“I’m scared.”

“So am I.” My honesty sobers her.

Sophie grumbles nonsense while getting out of the car. We walk into a warehouse hand-in-hand because I’m afraid she’ll make a run for it.

A secretary greets us. “Welcome to Sao Paulo Skydiving. We are so appreciative that you decided to fly with us today, Mr. Zander. We’re huge fans here. Your plane is waiting, and the trainers are ready to start orientation.” She hands us our papers.

Sophie trudges behind me. “I really hate you right now.”

“There’s a fine line between love and hate.”

“There’s also a fine line between sanity and insanity. Guess which side you’re on.”

I laugh as I grab her hand and pull her close. “Just a few more items and then you’re all done.” It’s hard to disregard the way my chest throbs at the notion.

She sticks her chin out and rolls her shoulders back. “We can do this. People skydive all the time.”

“That’s my girl, fearless after ten pep talks.”

We go through the orientation and get set up in our gear. Our plane rushes down the runway, ready to get us going.