͏b͏r͏o͏k͏e͏n || ͏b͏i͏l͏l͏y ͏h͏a͏r͏g͏r͏o͏v͏e

S I X

"Anastasia, I'm driving you home whether you like it or not," he snaps, his voice low and authoritative. I can feel my resolve slipping. Damn it.

"Billy, I can skate home." I turn away, heading back toward the school, but he's quicker. Before I know it, he's grabbing my wrist and dragging me back toward the car.

"No girl should be on the streets alone," he says gruffly, his grip firm as he practically shoves me into the passenger seat.

"I'm pretty sure this is considered kidnapping," I mutter as I plop down into the seat, my arms crossed again.

"It's better than you getting kidnapped by some creep on the streets." He shoots back, turning the key in the ignition.

"Who says you're not a creep?" I smirk, holding back a laugh as I settle into the seat.

"You're hilarious." He rolls his eyes, and with that, he throws the car into drive and speeds off, the tires screeching against the asphalt.

I grip the sides of the car, trying not to let him see just how much his driving freaks me out. But despite everything, there's a smile tugging at my lips. Maybe it's the adrenaline, or maybe it's just Billy.

"Billy, slow down!" I screech, my hands gripping the seat like I'm holding on for dear life.

"I'm not even going that fast, sweet cheeks," he replies calmly, his voice smooth and unaffected.

"Well, it feels like it!" I exclaim, my heart pounding in my chest. Without a word, he reaches over and buckles my seatbelt. His arm brushes against me, sending a jolt through my entire body. I tense up.

"Feel safe now?" he asks, a smirk spreading across his lips as he glances over at me. I blush, instantly looking away, out the window. Why does he always have that stupid effect on me?

"Where do you live?" he asks.

"Parkridge Road. Grey house," I sigh, already wishing I'd never told him.

"That fancy neighborhood?" he mutters. I nod. "Seems about right for you," he adds quietly, almost under his breath.

My eyebrows furrow as I turn to look at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" I snap, narrowing my eyes. He keeps his gaze fixed on the road, lips slightly pursed like he's plotting his next move.

The thing about Billy Hargrove is, for reasons I can't explain, he's obsessed with me. Maybe it's because I'm the only girl in this whole town who isn't falling all over him. Or maybe it's the rivalry he's got with my brother, Steve. Or maybe... it's because he thinks I'm cute—which is ridiculous. Either way, he's made it his mission to get under my skin. To annoy me to death, apparently.

"Your brother acts like a snotty brat," Billy says nonchalantly. "And most brats come from nice homes with a pretty exterior but a nasty inside." His words sting, even though I know Billy's not exactly known for his... tact.

"You should quit assuming things," I spit back, crossing my arms tighter over my chest.

"I'll quit assuming if you tell me I'm wrong," Billy says, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. His gaze lingers, challenging me. I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

"What?"

"You heard me. If what I just said about your home life is false, then say it. Prove me wrong." He turns back to the road, leaving me scrambling for a response.

My mouth opens, but no words come out. How do I even explain? "It's not as pretty on the inside as it is on the outside," I mutter, lowering my gaze. "But it's not awful. Just a little—"