Chapter 432
Dane just couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“It was when I was with Karla on the movie set. Total accident,” Claire said, brushing off the whole story of how she’d saved someone.
But Dane could pick up on the details she was leaving out. He could practically see how dangerous it must have been. She’d done the same thing back in Apex, only that time, Dane was the one she rescued. Now it was someone else, and for reasons he didn’t want to name, it bugged him.
“You were way too reckless. What if something went wrong and Oakley’s fans started blaming you?” he muttered.
If Oakley had gotten hurt, Claire would have been the one attacked. Plus, she’d ended up injured herself, and the more Dane thought about it, the less he liked it. He reached out, tempted to check her wound more closely, but thought better of it. She was still just a girl, and he didn’t want to scare her.
Claire kept her cool, not worried in the slightest about his temper. “You know I love cars, and I’m actually pretty good. I knew I could handle it p>
So she really thought she was in control p>
“What if the brakes failing wasn’t the worst of it? What if the car exploded? What then p>
Dane visibly shuddered at the thought. If there had been another explosion, she and Oakley could both be gone. He honestly didn’t care much about Oakley, but Claire was a different story.
“Think about what would happen to your family if something happened to you. Your grandpa, your aunt and uncle, your grandma… even my own grandfather would be heartbroken p>
Claire paused. She’d never thought of herself as that important in the James family. Her parents had always favored Lance. Only her grandma ever really spoiled her. So when she’d acted, it was always from the heart, never with anyone else in mind. Dane’s words left her a little speechless.
She hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “It won’t happen again p>
Dane gave a little snort. To him, there was no guaranteeing she wouldn’t just do something wild again. From where he stood, Claire had nerves nobody else did.
“Did it ever cross your mind that what happened today might not have been an accident? Maybe someone was actually out to hurt Oakley. If word gets out that you saved him, imagine the kind of trouble that could head your way p>
Claire met his gaze and answered honestly. “I didn’t really think about all that p>
But she knew herself—if she had to
do it over she’d still make the same call. Dane could see right through her reading the stubborn tilt to her chin. Her mind was made up, and it probably always would be
He let out a heavy sigh. “I’m not asking you to stop helping people. Just… remember, there are a lot of people who care about you. Don’t forget about us when you make decisions p>
Claire, seeing his serious face, suddenly grinned and changed the subject completely So, what about you? Are you one of those people who cares about me, Dane p>
Her playful look caught him off guard. For a second, he just stared at her, then realized she was messing with him on purpose. She was so good at that.
“Don’t say stuff like that. Of course I care about you,” he finally managed, voice a little hoarse. He nudged her arm gently, trying to act serious again.
“Okay, I get it. I promise, no more risky moves, and you can stop nagging me about
it p>
Claire wasn’t a fan of being lectured. Dane picked up on it and knew better than to push. He decided to let it go.
“Just so you know, if you come home with me like this, my grandpa’s going to notice and ask all about it p>
Hearing Dane mention Baldrick, Claire groaned inwardly and bit her tongue. All the extra concern from the adults was just… a lot to take.
“Fine, but you have to get me a band-aid. Make it cute p>
She watched as Dane did as she asked, carefully putting a strawberry band-aid on her cheek.
When they got to the Green family home, Baldrick spotted it right away.
“Claire, what happened to your face p>