Chapter 23 Chapter: 23
ADDISON
The retractable roof of Shepherd's sports car was down as we drove past lush trees and greenery, the weather was clear and refreshing, making the whole scenery picturesque. The hum of the power engine was therapeutic despite my heavy heart.
My damp hair hidden underneath his hoodie. I pressed my head against the window of the car. As thoughts I'd wanted to leave behind infiltrated my mind.
Although I feel much better, my heart ached from what happened earlier. More than the hurt, it was anger and humiliation that dominated my thoughts.
Anger and sadness at what my life had become, embarrassment from the humiliation of the entire school seeing me like that.
I might not have had the attentive parents I'd wanted or needed due to their tight business schedules and lavish lifestyles, but at least I was treasured and protected.
So, it came to me as a shock that I found myself in this ridiculous situation.
“You sleepy, or crying?” Shepherd asked, his deep voice rumbling, startling me. I turned and sat properly. He wasn't watching me; his eyes were trained on the road.
“Why do you always ask me that? Do I look that fragile to you? That weak because you saw me cry? I don't do that you know,” a self mocking laugh slips out of my mouth before I can stop it.
I was angry and embarrassed he'd seen me cry like that. I hated being vulnerable, especially in front of him.
“What? Do you pity me now? I don't want your pity, Shepherd.” I was suddenly reminded of how he fucking played me. 1
“I'm not weak or fragile, and none of the shit that happened would have occurred if you didn't fucking make me a target.”
“You're angry, I get that. I'll even admit I'm responsible for some of what happened to you,” he growled, his face hard.
“Some? No Shepherd, this is all your goddamns fault! I just wanted a fresh start, I wanted to study and live my last year of high school without any stress or drama. But you couldn't just let me be!” His eyes narrowed.
“I’m being nice, and I’m never nice, Addison. So watch your mouth, or I’ll drop you right here on this fucking road to find your way back.”
“You wouldn't,” I retorted. I didn't want to go back now that I'm out and close to the city.
He arched his dark brow. “Oh, I would. So shut your mouth, or I'll dump your ass right here, right now.” I glared at him with disbelief.
“I'm not a kid Shepherd, I can talk whenever I want, especially when…”
Shepherd suddenly hit the break, stopping the car beside the road; his expression told me he was damn serious.
He glanced at me; his expression tightened. “What's it gonna be, you're going to shut up or go back?”
I bit my lip, folded my hands stubbornly, swallowed and turned to the window. “I'm not going anywhere.” I huffed, but kept my mouth zipped.
“That's better, you listen to instructions well, when you're not being a brat,” he taunts as he resumes his driving.
“Asshole,” I breathed, apparently that was the wrong thing to say because.
Shepherd guns the McLaren 720S on the road as though he were on the race track. He'd slid the retractable roof, driving the car as though the road were his alone
“Shepherd, I swear to God if I die, I'm going to haunt you to death!” I screamed as he revved the engine and stepped on the pedal, taking a narrow corner too sharply. My breath left my body as we almost hit the rocky mountain.
But just when I thought we were going to collide and be reduced to smithereens. Shepherd swerved, and the road straightened again.
“You crazy bastard!” I screamed, my heart was racing, threatening to burst out of my chest with every breath. I grabbed the door handle and stumbled out of the car, panting. Shepherd followed my cue and got out of the car.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked, glaring at him. Shepherd was unfazed, he just snickered and brought out a cask of whiskey, he took a sip, then another before offering it to me.
“You’re fucking kidding me, you’re drinking? Who’s going to drive? Because if it's you, count me the fuck out.”
“Calm your ass down, girl, it's just a little drink, besides you can always go with them.” Them? I was about to ask who they were when I finally saw them behind us.
Cole, Nathan, Asher, and Trick. Leaning against two Harley Davidson bikes, wearing leather jackets and helmets right outside a roadside bar, I hadn't noticed until then.
“Didn’t realize Addison was joining us?” Trick said, more like asked, although his face was blank, I had a feeling he wasn’t happy to see me here. “She is now,” Shepherd replied nonchalantly.
“Why do you look sick? Are you okay?” Nathan asked, frowning. Cole elbowed him, probably thinking it's still about what happened to me today and handed me a can of soda. I take it, mouthing thank you to which he nodded.
“She’s fine, just terrified,” Shepherd supplied, his mouth twitching evilly.
“Almost shit her pants screaming from my driving.” My face flamed red as they all chuckled.
“Don’t mind them, Addie, Shepherd driving scares me too, at least the first couple of times I got in his car.” I smiled grateful, he winked. I blushed looking away and met Shepherd's blank stare.
“Only unlike you, she didn’t throw up,” Shepherd said, voice hard. Asher blushed embarrassed while the guys chuckled reminiscing about Asher puking his gut out.
I glance at Shepherd as he walks towards me, his eyes intense with something I couldn't understand.
“Be honest, how do you feel?” the asshole said, his gorgeous face blank, but it was his eyes that gave him away. They gleamed liquid silver, and something about it made him look reckless, free in a way I hadn't seen before.
“Sad, angry, nauseous?” He tilted his head a bit and leaned closer, slapping his hand against his car as he cages me in. “ Or exhilarated?” I swallowed, blinking, my heart pounding so loud I felt like he could hear it.
For a split second I consider lying. Consider telling him that I was terrified I almost pissed my panties.
But the truth was despite my fear in that moment as my fear rose so did excitement, the burst of adrenaline rushing through me when I thought we were going to collide with that rock had been exhilarating.
At that moment I’d forgotten all my worries and heart aches. I wonder if it makes me an adrenaline junkie.
“Let's do it again,” I blurted. I must have lost my freaking mind. Shepherd seems to think so too, because he arched his brow.
“Weren't you just screaming I was gonna kill you and shit?” I bit my lip, smiling.
“That's just my fear speaking, besides, I can’t tell you whether I like it or not until we do it again.” I didn’t know what I said, but suddenly Shepherd was staring at me in a way that sent heat through me and made me shift on my feet uncomfortably.
In that moment it was as though the world had narrowed down to just the two of us as we stared at each other.
“You’re one crazy girl,” Cole said, snapping me back to my senses. “I’m impressed, I was worried you’re going to freak out or faint when you see where we’re going, but I have a feeling you’re gonna be just fine.”
“I’m more worried about her not keeping her mouth shut,” Trick said. Shepherd sent him a cold glare. I glance at Nathan suddenly, uncomfortable.
“Um ... .and where is it we’re going?” Cole smirked, “You’ll see.” He sent me a wink, put on his helmet, and threw his leg over the bike behind Nathan, who revved the bike engine.
Both Asher and Trick were also back on the other bike. I glanced at Shepherd, who arched his brow. “Get in, weren’t you just eager for a race?” He grinned wickedly. “Well, I’m about to give you the best ride of your life.”
“You sure it's the best ride?” Cole yelled, grinning. “Careful, Pres—she might remember that.”
“No pressure,” Asher yelled. “Just don’t disappoint.” Both their bikes zoomed away before I could react to their sexual innuendo. I was blushing so hard my entire face felt warm.
“Get in Addison, and stop with the dirty thoughts,” Shepherd drawled, his eyes gleaming.
“Speak for yourself, I wasn’t having any such thoughts!” He smirked, “Could have fooled me.” I gasped, about to argue. “Get in the car, Addison,” he ordered, rounding up and getting into the driver’s side.
I glared at him, but did as he said. Shepherd revved the engine and gunned the car on the road, and I couldn't help the squeal that escaped me.
Shepherd smirked and stepped on the pedal, driving twice as fast as he’d driven earlier.
Oh shit! Addison, you should have kept your mouth shut. My stomach dipped, flipping as my heartbeat tripled.
Shepherd was already crazy on a normal day, but now you had to go and tell him you love racing. Clearly, Angela's bullying had me ssed with your brain cells.
My heart nearly gave out as the asshole beside me took another sharp corner too fast.