Page 56 of Drive

“It’s not her business.”

“It kind of is,” he said as he gripped my mouth tight so my lips smashed together. “So, keep this closed, okay?”

“Fine,” I agreed through duck lips.

He bruised them thoroughly before I made a mad dash for my sister’s apartment. My heart pounded wildly with the fresh reality and the fear of getting caught.

I was on fire with freedom and deliciously sore. His touch still lingered on my flesh; his desire still danced on my tongue. Up the stairs and feeling confident I could keep us a secret just a little while longer, I shut the door softly and found the apartment quiet. I moved toward my duffle and jumped when I saw Paige on the couch. I froze and then hung my head.

Her voice was ice. “You can’t stay here.”

“What?”

“Get out, Stella. Leave your key.”

“No, what? No, Paige. You don’t mean that. You can’t mean that.”

“I do. This is a big mistake, and I willnotwatch you make it.”

“Please,” I pleaded through the dark room. “Please don’t do this. I only need a few weeks.”

“Should have thought about that before you fucked my best friend.”

Anger built, and I couldn’t help my bite of defense. “Why, would you rather it be you?”

“Get out.”

“Paige.” I shook my head. “I didn’t mean that. It’s just—”

“Get out.Now.”

“Paige?” Neil said as he walked into the kitchen and turned on the light, making us both wince.

“She’s leaving,” she said as she walked up to Neil and kissed his cheek. “Now.”

“Paige,” I said as my voice cracked. “I really care about him. I want to be with him. Why is that so wrong?”

She walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

“I’m sorry,” I told Neil as I stuffed a few loose T-shirts in my bag and zipped it up. “Thank you for letting me stay.”

“I’ll talk to her, Stella.”

“She’s never been this mad at me,ever.”

Neil sighed and scrubbed his face. “She’ll get over it. She’s more pissed at Reid.”

The gnawing sensation hit my chest as I thought for a second I might have made a mistake. “Is he that bad?”

Neil looked at me with clear eyes. “If he wants to be.” He walked over to hisCDcollection and pulled a hundred-dollar bill from one of the shelved discs. “Take this and get a cab and cheap motel for the night. I’ll talk to her.”

“No,” I said, giving him a quick hug. “No, keep your money. I’ll figure it out. Bye,” I choked out as I closed the door behind me. A tidal wave struck the second I was out the door as the tears built and fell freely.

Fuck.

I had money for a hotel, but it was 5:00 in the morning. There was only one place for me to go. I took the walk of shame, that only my sister had brought on, and dragged my duffle across the lawn. I looked up to see Reid smoking a cigarette on his balcony. I paused as he stood and crushed it under his foot.

He met me at his front door, my face burning with fresh tears. “Did she call you?”