Chapter 19
Ryan sat in the driver’s seat of his sports car, honking the horn. He wore a silver–blue shirt, the V–neck revealing his sharply defined, alluring collarbones.
His pale, slender fingers rested casually on the steering wheel. He glanced over lazily.
“Get in.”
Gavin straddled his bike, one arm slung over his helmet. The riding gear only amplified his raw, masculine vibe–broad shoulders, a tapered waist, long legs angled toward the ground. His black boots planted firmly as he extended a hand toward
her.
“Hey, let me give you a ride.”
Joanna didn’t think she was close to either of them. Without saying a word, she turned and walked away.
Ryan rested his chin on his hand, thoughtful, lips pressed into a thin, crimson line.
He thought, ‘She didn’t even spare me a glance…
“Is it the car color?
‘My muse doesn’t like silver?
“How about red, then?
‘Yeah, red. I’ll switch to a red sports car tomorrow.’
As he daydreamed about which model to buy and how to customize it, he looked up—only to realize Joanna had already disappeared down the road, Gavin tagging along behind her like a loyal dog.
Ryan’s expression darkened. He slammed a fist onto the steering wheel and floored the gas, ready to chase after them.
“Ryan!”
Just as he was about to take off, a voice called out from the doorway. It was Ariel.
Ryan couldn’t even be bothered to turn around. The car roared as he sped off, leaving Ariel–bandages and all–choking on his exhaust fumes.
Tears welled up in Ariel’s eyes as the wind blew in her face, full of regret and engine smoke.
Meanwhile, Gavin pushed his bike along beside Joanna. He looked visibly conflicted, his grip tightening and loosening on the handlebars, heart racing.
He wanted to talk to her, but he’d never been good at talking to girls. With most people, he was aloof at best–but when it came to her, he was the one scared of being ignored.
Their last encounter had gone terribly. She hadn’t said anything, but he was sure she hated him now.
He’d been too violent–cracked someone’s head open. And she, worried about him, had even taken the punishment in his .place.
He had to apologize. He needed her to forgive him.
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Chapter 19
With one hand on the bike, Gavin pulled out the apology letter he’d spent all night writing.
He stole a glance at Joanna, cleared his throat, pushed his silver hair out of his eyes, and read it out loud.
“I was wrong!”
The two of them were so good–looking that the moment Gavin stopped and spoke, a crowd began to gather.
Joanna tried to walk away, but Gavin panicked, thinking she hated him even more. He quickly grabbed her hand, blurting
out,
“Please don’t go! I’m sorry, I really am! I didn’t mean for things to happen like that… I mean, it was all my fault. I… I’m not that kind of person!”
Normally so proud and untouchable, Gavin was now a nervous wreck, completely out of his element.
Joanna, meanwhile, had no idea what he was going on about.
She wondered, ‘Not what kind of person?
“The kind who swings a wrench at people? The kind who bashed Ariel’s head open?
This apology doesn’t feel the least bit sincere!
Joanna didn’t like crowds. She preferred quiet places–like the mountain village she used to live in, where she could listen to birdsong and cicadas all day long.
Before she could say a word, the crowd started murmuring with excitement.
“Aww! A couple making up in public!”
“Oooh, juicy drama incoming!”
“He’s so hot–girl, just forgive him already!”
Gavin seized the moment and nodded enthusiastically.
“Yeah! Please forgive me, okay? Please?”
Gavin was now basically begging, looking so pitiful that half the girls in the crowd nearly melted on the spot.
Unfortunately for him, Joanna was not the sentimental type. Her face was calm and cold, voice clipped with irritation.
“Whatever you’re trying to say has nothing to do with me.”
Gavin froze, panic flashing in his eyes.
It felt like he’d only made things worse. His silver hair drooped over his face, and he held onto her hand like he couldn’t bear to let go–looking every bit like a big, anxious puppy.
“I… I…”
Just then, a teasing voice rang out from the crowd.
“What’s the couple fighting about now? A beauty like her shouldn’t have to put up with this. Hey, babe–dump him and
come with me-”
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The guy didn’t even finish his sentence before Gavin’s expression went cold.
He let go of Joanna’s hand, pulled a butterfly knife from his pocket, slipped on a pair of brass knuckles, and stalked toward the guy, silver hair hanging low over his eyes, radiating menace.
“Who the hell are you calling ‘babe‘? You got a death wish or something?”
