Page 44 of The Devastation You Reap

"Yeah, that was the perfect excuse."

"Ah, so you stole my cell so you had a reason to see me again."

He holds his hands up in surrender, with a playful smile on his lips. "Guilty."

"You're a goofball."

"Your call, Red. Takeout, or go out?"

I hold his eyes for a beat, while my head and body is at war with my decision.

"Out. Give me five."

I slip into the bathroom, close the door behind me and lean back against it.

My heart is still racing from when I first found him here and my whole body is burning up, just two of the reasons why the decision I made is the right one.

The less time we spend locked in a room and on a bed is probably for the better. At least until I do figure out what this is.

I use the toilet and refresh my hair and makeup before sucking in a steeling breath and stepping back into my room.

I find Leon exactly where I left him, sitting on the end of my bed only now he has his cell in his hand, scrolling through something

"What, no basketball jersey?" he deadpans.

"Not tonight. Ready?"

"Sure."

He follows me out through our still empty dorm and in only a couple of minutes, I'm in his car once again.

"Where to tonight then?" I ask, completely confused as to how sitting in Leon Dunn's passenger seat now almost feels normal.

"Burgers?"

"Sure. I'm easy."

He glances over at me, amusement sparkling in his green orbs.

"I thought that was me."

"When there's food involved, it's a different story."

"Good to know, Red. Good to know."

He puts the radio on and we drive through town chatting about nonsense until I realize that we've once again passed almost everything.

"Where are we going?"

"To the most insane burger place in the state."

"Oh? And here I was thinking you were taking me somewhere we wouldn't be recognized," I confess, allowing a little of my insecurity out. I can't help it, I'm too intrigued to know his reasons for coming this far out of town.

"Never. I just want to make sure you're satisfied."

"I'm sure you've more than got that covered, Dunn."

He laughs as he pulls into a parking lot behind a diner and kills the engine.