Page 18 of Spellbound & Speechless (Witches of Starbrook #2)
Mac
I don’t mean to snoop, but it keeps happening whenever I’m at the tavern. This time, I step outside and give them some privacy, but it doesn’t work. I can hear every word. Embarrassingly, their conversation makes me tear up.
When did I become this soft?
They don’t know me, and I intend to keep it that way, but I’m learning more about the Hawthornes… and Aspen. No matter how much I wanted to push them away, it’s too late. I’m growing a soft spot for them. For all of them.
I wipe away a stray tear as Aspen steps outside.
“What are you waiting for?” She lifts a brow.
“Uh…” I shrug. “You.”
“What?” she asks. “Are you going to walk me to my scooter again?”
That was the plan, but she can’t make it easy on me. She never does.
I press my lips together. “If you let me. Yeah, I am.”
Walking her to her silly, tiny scooter isn’t enough. I want to carry her on my back and make sure no one can touch her .
“I’ll do even better than that.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder and walks forward. “I’m giving you a ride home.”
A ride on her scooter. The wind in my hair. Sounds like the perfect way to end a long night.
I smirk. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” she says. “Come along.”
She doesn’t lead me to her scooter this time. No. Rowan’s sensible brown car is parked right in Aspen’s usual spot.
Shit. Being in a car alone with Aspen and her candy scent will be torture, but at least it’s a quick ride. I’ve already lived through worse. I spent the night holding my mate, knowing that no matter how soft and warm she feels in my arms, I can never accept our bond. That would put us both at risk.
I slide into the passenger seat of the little car. I can barely stretch my legs out, but it should get us home in one piece.
“Thanks for the ride.” I lean my head back.
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m the worst driver in the family.”
I let out a laugh, and she looks at me in surprise. I guess I don’t do that much these days. Laughter is rare when you live a life of revenge.
“Most people wouldn’t admit that,” I say.
“Most people didn’t spend years living in the city. It’s not like I had to drive much.”
“Guess that’s true.
“I know when to be humble and what my weaknesses are.”
The town is silent at night, and there aren’t many cars to get in our way. I have confidence in her.
“Yes.” My lips twitch. “You seem very humble. ”
“I can sense sarcasm, you know?” She leans in, focusing on the dark street as if determined to prove the rumors wrong.
“I don’t want you to be humble,” I murmur. “Confidence is a good trait, too.”
She presses her lips together, like she’s holding back a smile. “Not everyone would agree with you. You don’t know how many people have tried to knock me down a peg—or six.”
“I believe it, but I won’t be one of them.”
“Good.” She holds her head higher and becomes slightly too confident after all, blowing right past a stop sign.
My eyes widen, and I look back. “Aspen!”
“What?”
“That was a stop sign. What the hell are you doing?”
“Was it?”
Thank gods, the streets are abandoned at this hour.
“You would think you know where the street signs are.” I gesture wildly. “You grew up here!”
“So? I wasn’t driving when I was, like, a baby! I didn’t even know the rules of the road.”
“It seems like you still don’t know them.” I chuckle breathlessly, rubbing a hand over my face. “I’m driving next time.”
“If you insist.” She giggles, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. “All part of my master plan.”
“You’re breaking the law to convince me to drive you around? You didn’t have to do that much.”
“Yup. That was totally on purpose.”
“Uh-huh…”
We make it home in one piece, but spending time with Aspen is starting to feel like I’m waiting for my heart to splinter into a million shards. If she’s the one breaking it, it won’t be a bad way to go.