Pie Town - Lynne Hinton [69]
He drove past her house, slowing down and almost turning in before he noticed the squad car in the driveway. He sped up and passed the house, preferring not to visit when her brother was at home. Danny had made it clear to Rob the last time he saw him that he had a vested interest in Katie’s well-being and that if Rob hurt his little sister in any way, there would be punishment served. Rob understood and did not want to press it with the lawman. Rob’s brother had been arrested by Danny for possession of marijuana a couple of years earlier, and his brother happened to mention that Danny had a mean streak. Rob didn’t want to see it. He hurried past the house and then turned back toward town.
Rob was about to go home, just forget about seeing Katie, when he saw Trina walking up the street. It surprised him to see her at such a late hour, and he wondered if she was going home from a date or heading out for one. He wondered if this could be his golden opportunity, if not with Katie, then at least with her. He slowed down as he neared her, rolling down the window on the passenger side so they could talk.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, grinning. “I was just thinking about you,” he lied.
“Hi, Rob,” she said, without looking in his direction. She kept walking.
“So, why’s a hot girl like you walking by herself alone at night?” He put the car in reverse and drove very slowly, staying beside her.
“You need to keep moving, Rob,” she said. “In the right direction.”
“Come on, hop in.” He kept trying.
“I’m fine,” she countered.
“Don’t you want a lift?” He remembered the first time she had gotten in his truck, and he could feel himself getting excited.
Trina kept walking. This was one time she wasn’t interested in dealing with testosterone. She didn’t reply.
Rob stayed right beside her. “What? You won’t even speak to me?” he asked, trying to sound hurt. “I did what you asked. I’ve stayed away.”
Trina cast a glance in his direction. “Thank you,” she responded. “Now why don’t you run over to your girlfriend’s house and try to get into her pants?”
“Oh, come on, Trina, give a guy a break. Just get in. I’ll take you wherever you want to go. I won’t ask nothing from you. I just feel like giving a friend a lift.” He eyed his rearview mirror, making sure no other traffic was coming his way. “We are still friends, aren’t we?” He grinned.
“I thought I made it clear about us,” she said.
“Perfectly clear,” he noted. “I’m not ready to go home. I’m jacked up after football practice, and nobody is out, and it’s a beautiful night to ride around. Just let me drive you where you’re going.”
Trina stopped, knowing it was a bad idea, but decided she would rather ride than walk.
“Rob’s limousine at your service,” he said.
“Oh, all right,” she responded, opening the door and jumping in. “But I’m not messing around with you. I’m tired,” she said.
“No messing around,” Rob said with a wink and put the car in drive and cut a U-turn. He drove right past Danny as the deputy was stopped at the corner without seeing him. He was way too excited about having Trina sitting next to him.
“Where shall it be?” Rob asked. “You want to drive up to the ridge or over to the cemetery or just ride around?”
“I was on my way to the church,” she said.
“Even better,” Rob said. He made the turn to head up in the direction of the Holy Family Catholic Church.
“I’m not going there for that again,” Trina said, referring to the previous times they had been in the sanctuary together. “I’m going to talk to Father George,” she explained.
“Why on earth do you want to talk to him?” Rob asked, having forgotten that the new priest was living in the rectory and didn’t go to sleep as early as Father Joseph. He drove quickly.
“I don’t know. I just