Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“That’s shitty.” We reached the front door, and Jake pulled it open, signaling for me to go through. “My dad is a dick, but my mom and I have always been close.” His eyes widened slightly. “Not that I’m saying your mom is a dick. I didn’t mean the comparison that way.”
I laughed. “No, I didn’t take it that way. And she’s just…different. She doesn’t do affection. She’s not the type to say I love you. She wants me to perform, like everything is this big show, so people think we’re perfect. How I did in school, what other people thought of me, what I go to college for, and how successful I am has always been more important than playing dominoes or saying she loves me.”
We were standing outside, looking at each other. It felt like he was searching for answers, trying to figure me out.
“Your dad’s the same way?” he asked.
“No. He was great, but he passed away when I was young. I have a stepdad, but he’s similar to my mom.”
“Shit,” he cursed quietly. “I’m sorry for your loss—and well, all of it. You stick around with us, and we’ll smother you with attention. Mom loves to mother, and I’ve been known to be a little protective.” He laughed, and I could see by the spark in his eyes and the curve of his hearty smile that he meant it as a playful joke. Still, part of me wanted to be like, Yes, please!
Jake shoved his hands into his pockets. “Was that weird? I feel like that was weird.”
“What? No! Not at all. It was…sweet.” I bit my bottom lip, wanting that last word back. “I should go.” Those seemed to be my favorite words today.
“Where are you parked? I’ll walk you to your vehicle.”
“Over there.” I pointed to the black BMW toward the back of the lot. We were quiet as we went to my car. I was driving myself crazy, trying to figure out what he might be thinking and why he was walking me to my SUV, and fighting to keep my eyes away from his arms and how his T-shirt stretched across his broad chest… “This is me.”
“She’s nice.”
I shrugged. “It’s just a vehicle. I’m not really into stuff like that, ya know? My mom bought it. I’m sure that sounds spoiled.”
“No.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t. Lucky, yes, but I think you appreciate what you have. You’re not expecting more and showing off or anything like that.”
“Yeah, but…it feels like a lot. I don’t know. You know what I’ve always wanted? A Mini Cooper. I know they’re ridiculous, but I think they’re cute.”
“If you want one, then that’s what you should have.”
I shrugged because I was sure it wouldn’t make sense to anyone else. “Thank you for walking me out. And for last night. It was nice.” I toed the ground with the tip of my sneaker.
“You should come over another time. We’d love the company. And who knows how much longer Mom will be there anyway.”
I bit my cheek, trying not to smile too big. I wanted that. Wanted to play games and eat dinner and laugh in their cozy, homey place. “I’d like that.”
Jake looked at my SUV, frowned, then bent by the front tire. “The tread is pretty low on this.” He went to the back tire. “These too. When was the last time you had them changed?”
“Um…never?”
“You should go get some new tires. It’s not safe for you to drive with them this way.”
Logically, I knew that. I wasn’t an idiot. I hadn’t realized they were that bad. “I need a tune-up too.”
Jake stood. “Okay, get your phone. We’re gonna get you all sorted out.”
Oh God. He was going to give me his number! For my car, but still.
I tugged my cell out of my pocket, started a new contact, and typed in Jake’s number.
“That’s for my cell, not the shop. Your tires should be fine for a couple of weeks, unless you spin out or something, so call me soon, okay? I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I…” Was feeling way more warm and fuzzy than I should. He was just being nice, was all. “Thanks. I will.”
“Send me a text so I have your number too.” He nodded. “I should get back to the shop. We’ll talk soon.”
He smiled and walked away. I stood there, watching him go.
6
Jake
You sure tomorrow’s a good day to drop off my car? Seth had texted last night.
We’d communicated a bit back and forth the last couple of days after he’d reached out to me about his tires, and I was going to bet Seth felt a bit awkward about reaching out. But I wasn’t kidding the other day. The tires were pretty bald, and I had a feeling other stuff would need a service soon too since he didn’t seem to pay much attention to maintenance.