Chapter 48

Arabella Rivera I tried. I really did. But I found my eyes darting to him against my better judgment. He had the hood over his head, covering up some of his chocolate locks.

His hands were shoved in the pockets of his hoodie but I could see the outline of them fisted. He looked ahead, brown eyes scanning the cruelty of the rain.

I crossed my arms under my chest and tear my eyes off of him.” I’m good thanks. You go on ahead, I’ll just wait it out.” My tone is knotted with suppressed anger.

Offering me a ride when only just a couple of minutes ago you were down my throat, forcing me to swallow your profanities and anger. He had some nerve.

I rubbed my arm slightly as I began to feel the sudden chill of the wind. Even my teeth started to hurt, which only happens when the temperature dropped too suddenly. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’d turn to a chattering of teeth and a n to a chattering of teeth and a shivering mess in a couple of minutes.

I could feel his eyes on me, sense the prodding like he was removing every piece of mask I had little by little.” It doesn’t look like it’ll let up any time soon Bella.”

There he goes. Calling me Bella.

I can’t keep up with him, I can’t keep up with the sudden shifts of his emotions.

I snap my eyes to face him and fixed him with a nasty glare.” I said I’ll wait it out.” I snapped, my emotions getting the best o fme. Thunder tumble, shaking the wall I rested on and the rain poured down heavier.

His jaw ticked as he fully turn towards m e. “Why are you so stubborn?”

I ground my teeth together and hugged m y arms over my body to stay warm. “Why are you such an asshole?”

He raised a dark brow and I couldn’t help but notice the faint cut above it. “I’m offering you a ride, how is that being an asshole?”

asshole?

“I’m not talking about now-“I clenched my eyes and huffed in annoyance. “You know what, forget it.”

I move my eyes away from him and pushed myself closer to the wall as if to ward off the cold. I rubbed my arms, praying that the rain would let up soon.

“You’re cold.”

I ignore his observation and continued to stare at the pouring rain. I heard him sigh and the sound of his nearing footsteps froze me in uncertainty. Haiden was a very difficult and confusing puzzle, and there was no saying of what he’d do or say next.

I bit my tongue when his body heat creeps up on me as he now stood beside m e. He grumbles something under his breath and then leans on the wall, our arms brushing “What are you doing?” I finally asked. I move away from him a little, not too much since another step would make me get drenched by the rain.

“I’m staying with you.” He said it like it m staying with you.” He said it like it was common sense, like I should have known that.

I peeked at him under my lashes and chewed my bottom lip. “Get going Haiden, I don’t need you.” I used his exact words, satisfied with the displeased clenching of his jaw.

At that very second, his eyes snap down t o mine, catching me peeking “I’m not leaving you here alone Bella.”

I tore my eyes away, not because I was embarrassed by him catching me but by the shock that I was sure swirled in my eyes. ” I’m not alone, Kevin is here.” I lift one shoulder in a barely there shrug.

Haiden snorts beside me.” The security? He’s dozing off in one of the classrooms a s we speak. Not much of a company huh? “He chuckles lowly, the sound twisting m y insides in a good way.

I bite the inside of my cheek before answering him. “Still better company than you.”

From my peripheral vision, I could see the nod of his head as he grumble. “Right.

I shiver, but it was not because of the cold this time, but the burning stare he pinned me with. I tighten my arms around myself seeking for comfort against the sudden pull I had towards him.

My breathing gets a little tough when suddenly Haiden began to take off his hoodie. The scent of mint and a tiny sniff of cigarettes flutters to my nose until I was forced to take it in. The smell was oddly comforting me in ways that confused me.

“What are you doing?” I found myself asking this question for the second time today.

“You’re freezing Bella. Can’t have you turning into a popsicle…….even though I’m sure you’ll be a very cute one.” He gave a quick chuckle at the end and comes to stand before me.

Our eyes clash together and I could feel the unmistakable quickening of my heart. “Probably taste good too.”

I wasn’t sure if it was just a fragment of m y imagination. There was no way Haiden Cross let out those words.

asshole?

“I’m not talking about now-“I clenched my eyes and huffed in annoyance. “You know what, forget it.”

I move my eyes away from him and pushed myself closer to the wall as if to ward off the cold. I rubbed my arms, praying that the rain would let up soon.

“You’re cold.”

I ignore his observation and continued to stare at the pouring rain. I heard him sigh and the sound of his nearing footsteps froze me in uncertainty. Haiden was a very difficult and confusing puzzle, and there was no saying of what he’d do or say next.

I bit my tongue when his body heat creeps up on me as he now stood beside m e. He grumbles something under his breath and then leans on the wall, our arms brushing “What are you doing?” I finally asked. I move away from him a little, not too much since another step would make me get drenched by the rain.

“I’m staying with you.” He said it like it Shit maybe it isn’t a good idea to take his hoodie.

“You’re one to talk.” I said lowly as he helps me put on the hoodie. It’s huge, covering my figure and ends just above m y knee.

“Keep quiet popsicle.” He joked and took a step back. His brown eyes roll down my form and he winks.

“You look better in it than I did.”

I rolled my eyes even though I felt a fluttering feeling in my stomach. “Yeah because I’m a lot nicer.”

His lips quirk in a smile. “Maybe.”

He sighs and turns around to stare at the rain.” It really doesn’t look like it will let up any time soon. We should make a run for it before it gets any worse.”

The scent that emanated from his hoodie seemed to mess with my head. I find myself taking in a whiff and nearly got caught when he turns around to face me suddenly.

“I didn’t agree to the ride though.” I pointed out, trying to not have him ask pointed out, trying to not have him ask questions as to why I looked like a deer caught in headlights.

Haiden ignores me and continues. “I’ll go get the truck and I’ll come closer so you’d not get too..” He drawls, smirk emerging on his face and he lets his eyes drop to stare at my legs. “Wet.”

I got his sexual innuendo quickly and sucked my teeth in annoyance. “Smooth. ” I said sarcastically and tear my eyes away from him so he’d not see how his words affected me.

Staying here with him, all alone wouldn’t be good. I needed to get away.

Soon.

I looked at his truck. It wasn’t far and I was sure I could make it without getting drenched too much.

Without thinking much into it, I left Haiden and made a run for it.

I heard him let out curses as he followed after me. “Fuck Bella, are you crazy!” He yells over the sound of the rain.

I don’t answer him as I continued my way towards his truck, converse smacking the wards his truck, converse smacking the puddles of water as rain soaked me to the bone. I may have underestimated the rain a little bit…..okay maybe a lot.

My fingers clutch at the cold door handle and tried to pry it open. It was locked.

“Shit.” Haiden hissed over the loud pattering of the rain. My hair stuck to my face as I looked at him through the heavy rain.

“My keys are in the pocket-“.

I understood him and dug in the pockets o f the hoodie. Finally clutching the keys, I hurl it towards him.

He catches it quickly, blinking away the water that weighed on his lashes as he unlocks the truck.

As soon as I heard the click of the door being unlocked, I got in. Saying I was drenched was an understatement, I was m y own bucket of water, really. Haiden groans as he slams the door closed, harshly.

Instantly his eyes draw to mine and he glares while scanning my soaked figure.” *Are you out of your mind!?” He hissed. I don’t answer him because I quite frankly was freezing and my jaw was as stiff as a s freezing and my jaw was as stiff as a rock His eyes soften as he looks at my trembling bottom lip. “Shit.” He curses softly and reaches over to put on the heater.

I’m stunned when Haiden takes a hold of my hand, engulfing my much smaller one in his hands and began to rub. He brought them closer to the heater and lowered his head until his lips are but a breath away and, blows.

His eyes lift as he continues to warm my hands, not caring about his own being.” You’re really something else Bella.”