Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
His expression shifts from a pout, hope flickering. “Really?”
“Yeah. As much as the mechanic shop reminds me of home, that’s not my life anymore. I need to let it go.”
He cups my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “So stay. Quit now. Today.”
“I can’t just ghost them, Luke. That’s not who I am.” I lean into his touch, closing my eyes. “I’ll go in, do the paperwork, and tell them I just have too much on my plate. Then I’ll be free.”
“Free,” he repeats, like he’s tasting the word. “And then you’re mine. All the time.” A sexy, very happy smile takes over his handsome face, and I’m done for. I’m so quitting, if it gets grumpy-ass Luke to smile that way.
He kisses me, soft and slow, and I feel it everywhere. Down to my bones.
“All right,” he says against my lips. “But I’m riding with you. And I’m picking you up. And if anyone looks at you wrong—”
“I know. You’ll kill them.” I pull back, grabbing my phone and shoes. “But you know the rules. You have to ride back on the bus.” He lets out a groan, and I know he’s about to try and ditch the bus. “Luke, I’m going to go straight to work, and the bus leaves in an hour.”
“An hour too long.” I have to fight a laugh. He’s gone back to pouting.
“Georgia is going to want to have girl talk, and let’s not give Coach Ken any extra reasons to scream at you.”
“He’s always shouting. That’s his base.”
I snort a laugh. “Kiss me and then I’ll see you later.”
He reluctantly agrees. He has a few more kisses that almost get out of control, but Georgia calling breaks it up.
“So?” Georgia asks when we hit the highway.
“We covered all the bases,” I admit.
“I knew it!” I give her some details, more about the emotions and some of the things we said to each other. She shakes her head in shock for most of it, saying she’s still getting used to this new Luke.
All too soon we’re out front of the mechanic shop. I dread going in but know it’s the right way to end things. Plus, I want to make sure everything is all caught up for them.
“You sure you wanna quit?” Georgia asks.
“Yeah.”
“You gonna need a ride home? I can come back to pick you up later.”
“Nah, Luke’s insisting he be the one to come and get me. See you later. Love you,” I say before exiting her car.
“Love you, too,” I hear her say before the door slams shut. I give her a wave, take a deep breath, and head into the body shop.
The bell over the door gives a little chime as I step inside, and the familiar smell of motor oil and rubber hits me, making me smile. That smell will always remind me of my father and being in the shop with him. Those memories fill me with less sadness lately.
Joey is at the desk, buried under paperwork. He lifts his head, and his face breaks into one of his easy smiles.
“I was worried you wouldn’t come in today,” he says, setting down his pencil. “After the hockey game last night. I’m so freaking thankful you did.” He holds up a stack of invoices.
I freeze for a second. How did he know I went to the game? But I brush it off. Everyone went. The whole town practically shuts down for Kingmakers hockey.
“I wanted to catch up on paperwork before...” I trail off, guilt twisting in my stomach. Joey has stacks of invoices spread across the desk, and the computer screen has spreadsheets of inventory lists up. And I’m going to quit on him in a few hours. “Before I get to the filing.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Madeline.” He stands, giving me space so I can take over. “Seriously. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I sit down, pulling a stack of invoices toward me. “It’s just a few hours. Don’t act like I’m saving your life.”
“You kind of are.” He takes the chair on the other side of the desk. “So. How was the game?”
“Fine.” I keep my head down, sorting papers. I need to dive in so I can get as much done as possible. “We won.”
“I heard Locke got into a fight. Threw some guy into the boards?”
I glance up, surprised. “Word travels fast.”
“Small town.” Joey shrugs, but his eyes are sharp, watching me. “Guy’s got a temper, huh?” I know where he’s trying to lead with that comment, and I don’t appreciate it.
“It’s hockey. If there isn’t a fight, what’s even the point?” I joke, wanting to shift away from Luke. The two of them clearly don’t like each other, which is more of a reason I shouldn’t keep working here. I don’t want that drama. “He was defending someone,” I add.