All I've Never Wanted(23)

"So, were you on your way to visit…him?" I asked, trying to utter the devil's name as few times as possible.


"No, I live there."

"Oh." I blinked. "That makes sense." Perfect sense. The area where Roman and Carlo lived was the most expensive part of town. Of course the Scions lived there.

"What type of music do you listen to?" Carlo fiddled with the radio.

"Any kind, except for country." I wrinkled my nose a little. "There are very few country songs I like."

"So which ones do you like?" He sounded curious.

I shifted in my seat. "Um…some Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood songs," I mumbled.

Carlo laughed. "Never figured you to be the type of girl who listened to Taylor Swift."

I arched one eyebrow. "Meaning?"

"I got the impression you were one tough cookie. I expected you to say heavy metal or rock."

I rolled my eyes. "Way to stereotype. Besides, do I look like a rocker to you?"

He shrugged. "Sometimes stereotypes make things a lot easier." His voice was wistful.

I was about to ask him what he meant when he abruptly changed the subject. "You know, you’re a lot nicer than I thought you’d be. How’d you manage to stay under the radar for so long?”

I actually laughed aloud at that one. I was nicer than he expected? More like he was nicer than I expected.

"Thanks…I think," I answered wryly. Feeling compelled to say something nice back, I added, "You're not as surly as I thought you were."

Another smile softened his face even more. "Thanks…I think." His tone matched mine. "I don’t know why everyone thinks I’m not a nice guy.”

"Well, for one, you barely talk in school," I pointed out. "Plus, look at who you hang out with."

"My friends are good guys. Yes, even Roman," he added at the look on my face. "In their own ways. But—" He abruptly stopped.

"But?" I prompted. I was becoming more and more comfortable around him, especially since he was one of the few people who had been even remotely nice to me this week.

"Nothing," he muttered, staring at the road straight ahead. "I already said too much."

Too much? He'd barely said anything past the superficial. Guys are just weird, I reflected. Still, the mood in the car was comforting, and I could feel myself sinking against the plush leather seat, some of the tension knots in my shoulders relaxing a little.

"Besides, you didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

Carlo stopped at a red light, and he turned to face me, the streetlight casting a faint crimson glow over his sculpted features. "How'd you manage to stay under the radar for so long?"

I shrugged. "Lots of practice and determination. Last thing I needed was to be thrust into the spotlight here."

"Most people live for the spotlight."

Like you and your friends, I wanted to say, but didn't. "Not me. It's too troublesome." My mouth thinned. "As I've learned all too well the past week."

The light turned green, and Carlo pressed on the gas, bypassing the particularly slow Lexus in front of us. He was silent for a while. "I feel like I should apologize for that."

I let out a sigh. "It's not really your fault." I couldn't believe these words were coming out of my mouth, but I meant them. Carlo had never personally hurt me, physically or otherwise. The only people I blame are the Valesca lemmings and of course, Roman Fiori.

"Not directly. But indirectly…" He paused, then seemed to shut down again. "Of course, I make it a point not to interfere with Roman's affairs." He pulled up in front of my house. I could see my mom pacing nervously in the living room window, and I winced. I was going to get a verbal beating for sure.

"Thanks for giving me a ride. I really appreciate it," I said, opening the door.

Carlo gazed at my house, taking in the small but tidy lawn, the red stucco roof, and the well-kept if modestly priced Toyota in the driveway. My father’s promotion meant we could get a nicer car, but my mom was really attached to the Camry for some reason. "How many people live in this house?"

"Just my parents and myself." I frowned. "Why?"

"You can fit three people in there?" He sounded shocked.

I let out a huff. Here I was, thinking he was actually pretty down-to-earth, and he had to go say something like that. "Of course it can," I said crossly. "We're more than comfortable."

"If you say so." He sounded unconvinced, but as he looked at me, a faint glimmer of that strange, unidentifiable look I saw earlier crept back into his eyes. "Well, it's certainly been an eye-opening night."


"I suppose." I was lingering, I knew, but I wasn't eager to go inside. Mainly it was because I didn't want my mom yelling at me, but I was also surprisingly disappointed to be saying goodbye to Carlo. I was almost certain our sort-of bonding time was a one-time experience. "Well, good night."

Carlo gave me a faint smile. "Good night." With that, he pulled out of the driveway and sped off.

Apparently, he really had been driving a lot more cautiously with me in the passenger seat.