Page 5

5

CONNOR

I hate this car.

I hate this day.

But most of all?

I hate that the woman in the passenger seat is laughing her ass off while I suffer.

I grip the steering wheel like it’s the only thing keeping me tethered to reality.

Allie is having the time of her life.

Messing with the radio. Singing along to every damn song. Tapping her nails on the dashboard. Flipping her hair just to fuck with me.

And the worst part?

She smells like vanilla and citrus.

That scent has burrowed into my head like a goddamn parasite. It’s driving me insane.

I shift in my seat, clenching my jaw.

We’ve been on the road for twenty minutes, and I’m already at my limit.

I press my foot on the gas just a little harder. If I can get to Vegas faster, maybe I won’t lose my goddamn mind.

A sound behind me fills me with dread.

Fucking sirens.

I glance in the rearview mirror.

Flashing lights.

It’s a cop.

Fucking perfect.

Allie perks up instantly, grinning. "Oh my God," she says, delighted. "Is petal getting pulled over?"

I say nothing.

She leans over, peering into the mirror. "Yep. Petal’s definitely getting pulled over."

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw might break.

I pull the car to the shoulder, shove it into park, and drop my forehead against the wheel.

This is a nightmare.

Allie is fucking cackling. "Wow, Byrns. Speeding in a pink convertible named petal? You’re full of surprises."

I slowly lift my head. "Shut up."

She smirks.

A shadow falls over my window. I roll it down.

The cop leans in, clearly trying not to laugh. "License and registration, please."

I exhale slowly. "Yeah. Sure."

I dig through the glove compartment, Allie still giggling beside me.

The cop arches a brow. "You in a rush to get somewhere?"

I grind my molars. "Vegas."

He nods, clearly fighting a smirk. "You always drive Barbie cars, son?"

Allie loses it. She actually fucking wheezes.

I glare at her.

She grins at the cop. "Only when he’s feeling extra fancy. Petal brings out his soft side."

The cop chuckles.

I pray for strength.

He looks back at me. "License?"

I shove it at him.

He walks back to his cruiser, taking his sweet time.

Allie leans in, eyes full of mischief. "You seem tense."

I don’t look at her. "I wonder why," I mutter.

She bites her lip, smirking. "You know what would make you feel better?"

I finally turn my head, giving her a slow, dangerous look. "Silence?"

She beams. "Nope! Car karaoke!"

I slam my head against the headrest. This trip is gonna be the fucking death of me.

The cop returns, handing me a ticket. "Slow down, Barbie," he says. He glances over and fucking winks at Allie.

She winks back. "Yes, officer."

I’m pretty sure I break a goddamn molar. I grip the steering wheel like my life depends on it.

I’m about to murder a police officer.

I watch him walk away, glaring at him in the side view mirror, praying I have the strength to refrain from jumping out of this Barbie car and beat the shit out of a police officer.

All because he winked at Allie.

My girl.

Mine. Mine. Mine.

Even though she has no fucking idea she belongs to me.

I sit in absolute silence, gripping the ticket, plotting my own demise.

Allie leans back in her seat, still grinning. "This trip is the best," she sighs happily.

I shove the car back into drive.

We are getting to Vegas, even if it kills me.

And right now?

That looks like a real fucking possibility.