“That was probably just me saying goodbye as I killed you in your sleep.”
He laughs, but despite the fact, his amusement should piss me off. It doesn’t. Instead the sound of him actually happy makes something warm me from the inside out.
I turn to look at him, needing to see the smile that goes with the laugh, but my breath catches in my throat.
“W-why are you half-naked?” I splutter like a fool.
“Because,” he says, looking over at me and giving my body the same treatment my eyes just did him. “I gave you my hoodie as a blanket. You’re welcome, by the way.”
“O-oh so that’s why I woke surrounded by the scent of manwhore.”
“Don’t worry, it won’t happen again, you clearly didn’t appreciate it. Could I get it back?” He holds his hand out as if I’m going to pass it to him, but all I do is stare at him. My eyes run down his corded forearm, all the way to his chest, down his cut abs, and to the bulge I was staring at a few hours ago behind his sweats.
My mouth waters as I take him in. He might be the world’s biggest douchebag, but he’s certainly been gifted in the body department.
“Ruby?” he snaps.
“I think I prefer you like this,” I admit. “It distracts me from the shit that comes from your mouth.”
His eyes flick to my chest briefly before he focuses back on the road.
“I am more than down for a topless rule inside the car if you are.”
“N-no that’s not...”
“Exactly, now pass me my hoodie.”
Reaching back between the seats, I stretch to grab it.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Ruby. Wanna shove that any closer to my face?” He’s trying to sound pissed off, but the hint of amusement in his voice betrays him.
I try to move, aware that I really do have my ass in his face but I don’t go anywhere.
“I would, but I’m stuck.”
“Oh really?” He chuckles. “What an unfortunate position to be in?”
“Just focus on driv—Ashton,” I shriek when his palm connects with my ass cheek.
“You really should have worn that little skirt you had on the other day.”
“You’re a fucking pig,” I grunt, trying to twist myself free.
I finally manage to get some leverage to push myself out of the gap I was stuck in, dragging his damn hoodie and my bag of goodies from the store with me.
“Here,” I bark, throwing the fabric into his lap.
“Thanks. Don’t eat any of that.” His words make me pause with my hand halfway to the chips I was about to open.
“Why? Are you going to try telling me that I’m fat next or something?”
He laughs. “No, little one, I can assure you that there’s nothing wrong with your body.”
“Oh?” I turn to look at him.
“There’s a pizza place. I was going to take you for dinner.”
“Oooh. Well, that’s... nice of you.”
“Yeah, don’t get used to it. It might be the only time it happens.”
“Good to know,” I mutter, pulling the visor down to check my appearance before gracing other humans with my presence.
Ten minutes later, and Ashton is fully clothed once again and we’re sitting in a booth at a quiet out-of-town pizza place.
I’ve no idea where we are, just somewhere hopefully between home and Seattle if Ashton set up the GPS right. That little screen still shows an insane amount of both miles and hours to go. But I’m finding it hard to stay mad about it when all Ash wants to do is ensure he’s at his mother’s funeral. Can’t really fault the guy for his attempt.
I look up at him, twisting his glass of soda around on the table before running his finger through the condensation as we wait for our food to arrive. He’s deep in thought with his brows pulled together and his lips pressed into a thin line.
My heart aches for him, he might be an ass, but he’s hurting.
“Wanna talk about it?” He startles at my question as if he’d forgotten I was here. “Want to talk about her?” I offer.
It takes a couple of seconds, but eventually, his eyes lift from his glass. The darkness in them makes my breath catch, but something tells me that all his hate and anger isn’t going to be taken out on me this time. This is different.
“No, not really.”
“It... it might help,” I suggest.
“Nothing is bringing her back. That’s the only thing that could help right now.”
I open my mouth to respond, but thankfully I don’t get a chance to say anything because two huge pizzas descend on our table.
His eyes light up a little at the sight of our first real food since the airport, God knows how many hours ago now, but his sadness still lingers, and I fear that it’s only going to get worse the closer we get to his home.
We eat in almost silence, just a few words passing between us.
Ashton pays the bill once we’ve finished and after both making use of the bathrooms, we head back out to Stephen’s car.
It’s significantly colder here compared to home, and I fold my arms around myself in an attempt to keep warm.
“It’s okay,” I say when Ash goes for the driver’s door. “I can take over, you get some rest.”
“It’s okay, I can—”
“No,” I say sternly, making his eyes widen a little. “Get in the back and get some rest.”
He nods at me, but still, he doesn’t move to the back of the car, instead just walks around the hood to the passenger side.
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t trust my driving?” I ask when we’re both in with the engine—and more importantly, the heat—running.
“Because I don’t,” he mutters, sliding his chair back and stretching his insanely long legs into the footwell.
“I’ll have you know that I’m a very good driver.”
“Just try not to kill me, I don’t need—” He cuts himself off, but this time, I don’t prompt him for more. I only know the basics of what happened with his mom. I know he was in the car at the time, and I can only imagine what he went through.
“You’re in safe hands. Get some rest.”
I sync my cell, amazed that he’s not beat me to it, and find something quiet and relaxing before setting off on my first leg of the journey.
Ashton stays awake beside me for the longest time just staring out of the window. Every now and then, I feel his stare turn to me, but I don’t take my eyes off the road. As much as I might like to know what he’s thinking every time he does so, another part of me is happy to just let him brood. It’s less exhausting than fighting with him.
Eventually, though, his breathing gets heavier and when I do risk a look over, he’s fast asleep with his arms crossed over his chest and deep frown lines still marring his brow. I want to take his pain away, making it a little easier to bear, but I have no idea how I’m supposed to do that. Not that I’m sure he deserves it after what he’s done to me, but the need still tugs at me. He’s hurting and despite the fact I don’t like him, I hate to see it.
I find myself almost in a trance as I drive through the night. I thought I’d get tired, that my eyes would get heavy, but I actually find the empty roads and the darkness weirdly relaxing.