started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Twenty-Three

Zac and I drive the cart together while Ross trails behind.

"We're going to need some coffee, too," I tell Zac and he turns the cart towards the coffee section. Speaking of coffee, I should get some right now. "You get the coffee and creamer, I'll go grab some breakfast for us." Zac nods, grinning.

Thankfully, Walmart is part of a strip mall, and on the other end, there is Dunkin Donuts. I pull my coat tighter around me and step outside in the cool air. I think I have enough money for the groceries and breakfast put together.

Digging into my pocket, I have about ten dollars and a couple of change left for Dunkin Donuts. It's enough for a couple of coffees and maybe even some bagels.

"Laura!"

I turn around. Ross is jogging up to me after walking out of the store. His cheeks are lightly red and his long legs make it so he reaches me within a quick second. He looks undeniably handsome but that's not what's important right now.

"What?" I ask, putting on my most non-caring face. I just want to walk inside Dunkin Donuts and melt under the heat, not stand out here in the cold.

"Where are you going?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm going to Dunkin Donuts." I nudge my head over to the direction of the store. "Getting some coffee for us."

"Oh," he says, his eyes not on my face. Suddenly he steps closer and his hands are reaching up to my face. I start reddening and back away from him. "Calm down, I'm not going to choke you." Somehow I just stop pushing him away. He could be actually about to kill me but I would let him and take him for his word.

I'm stupid like that.

Ross steps close again and I mean really close. Like I can feel his cold breath against my nose (due to my short height, I might add). He brings his hands up again and touches my scarf. His eyes are unreadable but are a dark shade of brown. He stares at my eyes and then lowers his gaze. Ross readjusts my scarf so it's properly covering my neck. At the last moment, he covers my lips with the scarf too. Like he can't stand them.

"You're—" he coughs, clearing his husky voice, "—going to catch a cold. At least wear your scarf properly."

I nod silently, my cheeks red and it's not from the cold. Did we just have a moment? Why does he make me feel all warm and mushy on the inside? I need to stop. I'm only going to get hurt again.

Hurt flashes his eyes as I turn away from him.

I have breakfast to get.

My stomach rumbles at the thought and I walk to Dunkin Donuts. I hear the small clacks of Ross following me close behind. Food over boys any day.

Inside the store, it smells like coffee beans and sugary treats. There are basically no people there except for a couple of cops grabbing the morning donut and coffee. Just like I thought, it's warm and I can feel the ice peeling of my skin. A young boy, maybe younger than me, is at the counter. He looks around sixteen. It reminds me that I have to go to work later on and I frown.

"Hi," I say to the young boy and read his nametag, which reads Alex. "Hi Alex. Could you fix me up with three coffees and maybe two chocolate donuts?"

He seems to snap out of his sleepy daze. I'd probably be like that too if I had to work this early in the morning. I get that it isn't like 3 a.m. in the morning but around here, it's early in my book.

"Sure," Alex replies quickly, tapping some buttons in the cashier and adding all my purchases up. "That'll be eleven dollars and ninety-nine cents."