The Secret of Ella and Micha

inside your head.”
    Her eyes narrow and she puts her hands on her hips. “Get out of my way, Micha Scott.”
    “What is it with you using my last name?” I say. “Before, when you’d get mad at me, you’d just call me a douche bag.”
    “I don’t use those words anymore,” she says flatly. “I’m nicer than that.”
    “Really?” I accuse. “Because you sure seem pissed off at me all the time.”
    “I’m trying not to be,” she fumes. “But you’re making it very hard for me.”
    “Alright, you need a time out. I’ve had enough of your stubborn crap.” I pick her up by the waist and throw her over my shoulder.
    She lets out a startled gasp, and pounds her fists onto my back. “Dammit Micha, put me down!”
    Ignoring her, I walk out the back door and down the empty driveway. I think about grabbing her ass just because I can, but I’m afraid she might bite me… although, that doesn’t sound bad.
    “Micha,” she complains furiously. “Put me down!”
    My mom steps out of the house as I carry her toward the garage. She’s dressed in a black dress a little too short for her age. Her highlighted hair is fluffed up like a poodle and her makeup is caked on. She must have a date.
    She stops on the top step and tilts her head to the side to get a better look. “Ella, is that you?”
    Ella stops fussing and lifts up her head to look at my mom. “Hi, Miss Scott. How are you?”
    “Hi, honey, I’m doing good… but is there a reason Micha’s carrying you like that?” she questions. “Are you hurt?”
    Ella shakes her head. “No, I’m fine. Micha just thinks he’s funny.”
    Which means she secretly likes what I’m doing, but won’t admit it.
    “Actually, I’m taking her for a ride,” I say slyly, inching my hand up the back of Ella’s leg, and she slaps the back of my head playfully. “I’m taking you for a ride in my car. And you think I’m the pervert?”
    My mom sighs, shaking her head, and opens her purse. “Well, it’s nice to see you two together again.” She takes out her car keys and her heels click as she trots down the steps. “Micha sure has missed you while you were gone.”
    “Bye mom,” I wave her off, heading for the garage again, as my mom climbs into her Cadillac parked in the street near the curb.
    “Is she going on a date?” Ella asks curiously.
    “She’s been going on a lot of dates lately.” I swing open the car door and set her down in the passenger seat.
    She tries to climb out. “I’m not going anywhere tonight Micha.”
    I gently push her back into the seat. “I’m not going to let you sit around in your room and sulk while your brother’s around. Let’s go out and have some fun.”
    She pauses, crossing her arms over her chest and her boobs nearly pop out of her top. “But I need to be there when Lila comes back. I can’t just let her come back to Dean and my dad passed out on the couch.”
    “I’ll take care of it.” I rip my gaze from her tits, take out my cell phone, and text Ethan.
    Me: Taking Ella up to The Back Road. Wanna get Lila and meet us up there?
    Ella slumps back into the seat. “What are you up to?”
    I hold up my finger. “Just a sec.”
    Ethan: Yeah, sounds cool.
    Me: Is Lila up for it? And make sure u ask her. Don’t just assume.
    Ethan: She said she’s good… but is Ella ok with going up there?
    Me: We’ll c when we get up there.
    Ethan: Dude, she’s gonna kick ur ass.
    Me: C U there.
    I stuff my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and close her door before climbing into the driver’s seat.
    “Where are you taking me?” she asks, trying to appear annoyed but her inquisitiveness seeps through her eyes.
    “It’s a surprise.” Once the garage door is open, I peel down the driveway. “And Lila and Ethan are going to meet us there.”
    “A surprise, huh?” she mulls it over. “I’m not a fan of surprises.”
    My lips spread to a grin. “You’re such a liar.”
    She stays silent and I know I’ve won this one, which is rare, but I’ll take it. With a swift crank of the steering wheel, I align the car onto the road and spin the tires off into the night, happy because I managed to chip away a tiny piece of that armor she’s wearing.

Chapter 8

    Ella
    I realize I have more issues than I thought. As soon as we turn onto the Back Road, a passion combusts inside me. It only flames hotter when we pull up to The Hitch, an old abandoned restaurant stationed at the end of the road.
    It’s the perfect