Free Lost in the Moment (A Savioe Family Novel) by Ginny Atkinson

the truck with Beau. I turned to look at Drez as my heart picked up its beat; this was going to be an interesting ride.
                                                            *****
    He cracked the windows and gave an exasperated sigh as we got stuck behind a school bus. His arm was propped up on the door with his head rested on his fist. I shifted in my seat, crossed my legs and mirrored his position. I could have sworn I saw his eyes flick over them and swallow hard.
    “You really didn’t have to do this. Beau would have caved after a few more minutes of mom guilt tripping him.” I broke the silence.
    He shrugged his shoulder causing his muscles to ripple under the white T-shirt, which triggered my mouth to go dry. “It’s not a problem, pet.”
    I looked out the window and sighed. “Why do you call me that?”
    “What… pet?”
    I looked over at him and nodded my head.
    He pursed his lips and lifted his eyebrow before he shrugged again. “Don’t know really.”
    It was my turn to shrug as I turned my attention back to the scenery outside. After a few more minutes of silence and another round of shifting in my seat to stop my skirt from riding up. I heard him mutter under his breath. “Torture. This is torture. My three card trick is so hard I’m about to go in me parmers and this twist n twirl just keeps on flashin’ me those bacon and eggs. And I can’t do shit about it.” His jaw clenched as he ground his teeth.
    “What was that?” I asked in utter confusion.
    “Nothing. Just bloody nothing.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter and snorted.
    So being in a car with me is torture? Gawd, what a flattering thought. I know I’m not the most talkative person around but I like to think that I can be somewhat entertaining. I lo oked out the window and sighed. At least I was getting a little more comfortable around him. My heart wasn’t pounding like a jackhammer and my palms weren’t sweating up a storm. Of course, I knew that would change if I caught a glimpse of his enthralling grey eyes. One peek of those babies and I would be reduced to a puddle of goo at his feet.
    “So what did you guys decide to do about the Bus thing last night?” I asked in an attempt to ease the growing tension in the small space.
    “I agreed to keep an eye on her before school, at the lockers and after school. I was going to escort her to her classes but the more I thought about it. The more I realized that it might appear to everyone that she’s moved on from Luke.” He made eye contact for a second before his gaze traveled back to the road.
    I slowly nodded my head and ran my tongue over my teeth before slowly asking him. “So was anything mentioned that you hadn’t already told Jess and I?”
    “No.” He clipped out.
    “I see.” I clenched and unclenched my fist in an attempt to calm my growing frustration at being kept out of the loop. “So there was absolutely no reason for them to exclude me from the conversation. Figures. It never fails. Anytime a sensitive subject comes up, I’m automatically discarded from the mix. I might have had some insight on things.” The more I talked the more animated I became. My leg bounced with my agitation, my hands fluttered about with each word. The entire time I was completely oblivious that with each bounce my skirt slid up my leg.
    He pulled into the parking lot and found a spot in the back row. He grabbed my hand to still it. “I’m sure they just wanted to protect you from the knowledge of what some guy intends to try with your friend.” He looked down and let out a staggered breath releasing my hand. “You may want to pull your skirt down.”
    I gasped and looked down quickly tugging the fabric back in place. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment. I mumbled to myself as I grabbed my bag and opened the car door. “Shit. I don’t think I’ll be able to wear these stupid things on a daily basis. I should’ve just