Crazy Beautiful Love (The Martelli Brothers #1)(24)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Your brother is so nice.” Maddie laughed up at me. “And he is super cute.”

“You have a crush on him as well?” I said harsher than I intended.

“What? No.” She blushed, and looked away from me. “And what do you mean on him as well?”

“Well, don’t you have a crush on me?” I looked at her arrogantly. “Haven’t you had a crush on me for a while?”

“I— what? Who told you that?” Her face grew red, and a part of me was happy to have the answer confirmed.

“Joey and his sister aren’t exactly the best people to keep secrets.”

“Argh, I’ll kill Lucy.” She shook her head. “And it was a teenage crush, I don’t have it anymore.”

“Oh, no?” I smirked. “Really?”

“Really,” she flung her hair over her shoulder. “I’m wiser now.”

“Yeah, you’re wiser.” I laughed out loud and shook my head. “Well, are you coming or not?” I turned around and walked to the Toyota.

“Where are we going?” She hurried after me.

“To sell this car.”

“You just sell it?” She looked shocked. “Don’t they ask to see your papers?”

“They know there are no papers.” I grinned at her, all of a sudden feeling lightheaded.

“Oh.” She licked her lips and I could tell she was nervous. “Do you mind if I come?”

“Not if you don’t mind taking the bus back.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Then hop in.” I jumped into the car and started the engine as she slid into the passenger seat. I looked over at her, and she smiled at me with her plate of cookies sitting in her lap. She looked beautiful and innocent, so unlike she had the first night she had gotten into the car. I stared at her, my eyes taking in the dimple in her left cheek and the way her lips had a natural curve when she wasn’t even speaking. I looked further down her and tried not to stare at the swell of her br**sts and the small rising of her chest.

“What are you waiting for? Aren’t we going?” She grinned at me excitedly.

“One would think you’d never been in a stolen car before.”

“One would think you’d never had a girl in a stolen car with you before.”

“Then one would be thinking incorrectly.”

“I see.” She turned away from me quickly, and her tone sounded hurt. Good, I didn’t want her to know that she was the first girl I’d had in a stolen car with me, and the first girl I had been on a drop with. It was crazy, and she was the last person I should be taking with me, but I couldn’t help myself. Bad move, Logan, a voice in my head whispered. Bad move. But it wasn’t a bad move if I listened to Jared and his suggestions. Maybe I was doing this because subconsciously I wanted to hurt her. I’d teach her a lesson, and she would be crushed. And then she’d be home and crying and the mayor would be beside himself. But what would that do? The voice whispered again, a little heartbreak wasn’t going to do anything to the mayor. How many times had she cried over a guy before? I’m sure she’d had her share of dalliances and heartbreaks. She certainly wasn’t some innocent little virgin, that was for sure.

“What are you thinking about?” She leaned towards the radio. “Can I put on some tunes?”

“Go ahead.” I nodded without looking at her. I could feel my heartbeat racing, and I felt uncomfortable with her in the seat next to me. I didn’t want her to be here with me, yet I felt so alive, so excited, so happy to have her here with me. And it had nothing to do with the fact that I could get revenge on her and avenge my family. The fact was, I didn’t want to hurt her. I took a quick glance at Maddie and watched as her hair blew in the wind coming through her window. Her eyes were alert and happy, and she gave me a quick smile as she noticed my stare. I turned away quickly, as my stomach jumped. I wasn’t sure I would be able to forgive myself if I hurt Maddie on purpose. And what was worse is that I didn’t know if she would ever forgive me either.

"Do you like Maroon 5?” She bobbed her head to an unfamiliar song.

“I don’t know them.” I shook my head.

“You don’t know Maroon 5? What?” Her eyes darted to me. “What about Adam Levine?”

“Who?” I laughed.

“From The Voice!”

“What voice?”

“The TV show.”

“I’m sorry, Maddie, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Wow,” she laughed. “Don’t you watch TV?”

“Not really.” I shook my head. We only had one TV in the house and my father was parked in front of it twenty-four-seven.

“That’s crazy.”

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow at her. “Out of everything you know about me, that’s the craziest?”

“I mean, it’s a surprise. I thought everyone watched TV.”

“Even those who can’t afford a TV or cable?”

“Oh, I didn’t think …” Her voice trailed off and she blushed. “I suppose you think I’m just this privileged girl, huh? I guess I’m not helping my cause.”

“I don’t think you’re a snob.” I smiled at her gently. “But do you act like someone who comes from money? Yeah. But that’s not unreasonable, because that was your upbringing, I’m sure.”

“You’re sweet to say that,” she sighed, and I could see her twisting her hands. “I suppose I’m an utter bore to someone like you.”

“You mean the big, bad wolf of River Valley?”

“No, I mean to someone who has so much excitement in their life.”

“Excitement?” I laughed. “I think I have the least amount of excitement of anyone I know.” Aside from the night I met you, I thought to myself with a grin.

“Really? I figured stealing cars would be like a drug.”

“Not really.” I turned onto the highway and checked the rearview mirror to make sure no cops were following me. “Maybe when I first started, yeah, there was a thrill of excitement, a hint of danger and exhilaration. Now it’s mundane.”

“Mundane, now there’s a word.” She looked over at me.

“I learned it when I was studying for the SAT.” I laughed.

“You took the SAT?” She looked surprised.