Dancing On The Edge Of A Knife

26. Change

"Don't worry. I don't mind. Besides, you're not scared anymore, are you? I won't speed again." He quickly added and Ester turned to study him. By now Devon had crossed his arms over his chest and smiled when she looked into his eyes.

"I wasn't scared." She crossed her arms over her chest, making Devon lift an eyebrow.
"I wasn't." She emphasized and Devon just nodded before smirking.

"Alright. Let's go." He chuckled and took her purse before turning around to leave. Ester was shocked by the fact that he took her purse but this time she didn't fight him. They were after all headed in the same direction.

"You guys really need to start accepting my gas money." Ester murmured as they silently walked out of the studio and into the garage again. Devon just frowned and looked at her as if she grew two heads.

"What? You think just because you guys are rich and I'm not that it's okay for me to use you?" Ester asked in annoyance. She knew that she wasn't rich, but being with the Stone siblings just made her feel like such a leech.

"You're not using us, Ester. By now, Sierra and I know when somebody's using us. Trust me." Devon told her, shaking his head in disbelief. Ester figured by the way he said that, there was a story to it. But she didn't want to push it and let the silence surround them again as she followed him to his car.

"Thank you." She smiled at Devon when he opened the door for her and she climbed inside his car. Devon tried to hide his surprise and covered it with a genuinely proud smile. She actually said it out loud and she smiled at him, Devon thought.

He handed her the purse and then rounded the car to climb into the driver's seat. And off they went. Ester felt more comfortable with him than the other two times and decided to start a conversation this time.

"So, why don't you ever listen to music?" She asked Devon, who glanced at her and shrugged.
"We can, if you want to. I wasn't feeling it the other times. But you can turn it on if you want." He told her and Ester hesitated. She wanted to continue talking to him if she was being honest.

"Speaking of music. What do you think about the dance?" Look at her go! Ester was proud of herself for that question and decided to turn the radio on later if she wanted to.

"Yeah, I'm okay with it. How about you?" He asked her in return.
"It's fine. But the dance is so hard. I'm afraid I'll mess up." She admitted as they stopped at a red light.

"You won't. We still have a few months and we're going to train every day. Your body will get used to it, trust me." He said and Ester nodded. She didn't doubt that, but she feared her nervousness will cause her to forget a step.

"You're scared, aren't you?" Devon noted and Ester turned her body towards him.
"Are you not?" She asked, remembering the time he showed up at her work. Devon sighed before looking at her. Damn he looked so good tonight, Ester gulped.

"Not the way you are." He told her after a few seconds. Devon saw her frown and knew he's confused her. But that was as much as he was going to offer her tonight. Ester also knew that and nodded before turning towards the front again.

"Well, I'm just nervous, I guess." She murmured and Devon studied her for a few more seconds before the lights turned green again and he resumed driving.
"I get that." He said and Ester nodded as she looked outside the window.

It was silent again, but Ester already found another topic to talk about. It was like she finally felt comfortable around him and he wasn't complaining. He hoped they'd start talking like normal people. Not friends though, because he wasn't ever planning to fall into the friendzone.

"I can't believe we have to wake up at 6:30 just to run." Ester sighed and Devon chuckled.
"Why? It almost sounds like you love your sleep." He said sarcastically and Ester let out an amused breath.

"Well, of course you're laughing at me. You don't have to wake up at 6:30. You could theoretically go jogging anytime you want." Ester said, causing Devon to frown at her.

"But we're supposed to use the jogging as bonding time." He shrugged.
"You're actually taking that seriously?" To say Ester was surprised would be an understatement. Devon definitely changed during the past few weeks. But she still never expected him to spend time with her if he wasn't forced. But then again, Sierra kinda forced him.

"Yes, because I also don't want to make a fool of myself at mom's wedding. Besides, I could use some stamina training." He nodded and Ester mirrored his actions.

"And where are we going to run?" She asked Devon.
"Hell, if I knew. I used to jog in the woods every now and then. It's not far from here. I could pick you up at 6:45 and we drive there together?" He proposed.

"If you're not scared." He added and Ester rolled her eyes.
"I'm not scared, Devon. Why do you keep teasing me about that?" She groaned, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You're so small and fragile." He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Didn't say that when I kicked you." Ester smirked when she saw Devon roll his eyes.

"You're right. I take it back." He said, making Ester laugh. Devon held his breath. Could she get any better? How come he never heard her laugh before? Or did he just not notice it? Devon was almost sad when she stopped.

"Good. Now back to the woods. Not saying that I'm scared. But isn't it a little creepy? At 6:45, it's still dark outside. Especially in spring." Ester said, making Devon shrug.
"But you're not alone." He said and she nodded slightly.

"So if a bear comes attacking you, I'll save you. Don't worry." He snickered and Ester rolled her eyes before smacking his shoulder.
"Hey, I'm driving!" He said, more surprised than upset.

Ester just rolled her eyes and looked out of the window again. She noticed the familiar street and expected Devon to take a turn but he didn't.
"You just missed it." She said.

"I did?" Devon frowned, totally knowing he missed it.
"You're right. I'll have to take an u-turn at the end of this road." He said, remembering the first time he drove her home when he also missed the street.

Which then reminded him of the way she curled up when he sped down the road. He figured she wasn't faking that back then but he wanted to know if it was just a phobia or if there was a story behind it. He eventually gained the courage to ask after minutes of comfortable silence.

"Ester?" He started, making her look at him in question.
"Yes, Devon?" Something in him jumped when she said his name. God damn it, he was acting like a little boy. Get a fucking grip, he silently scowled at himself.

"So the first time I drove you home. When I was being an ass, you know. And I was speeding." He heard her gulp. She knew what was coming.

"What happened to you?"