Page 52 of Unraveled

I shook off the negative thought. If I knew my girl at all, Annie had a reason for holding things back and all of her jealousy. I just wished I knew what.

I looked at Ruby. “They don’t need you in the back anymore?”

“No.” She shook her head, her ponytail swaying across her back. “Rodrigo told me I could take a break.”

“Cleaning counters is not taking a break.” I gave her a look, and she shrugged.

“Maybe I find something out here more interesting.” It was my turn to stiffen when I caught the way she glanced at me under her lashes. But I had to be crazy, right?

“How did your date with David go last night? I didn’t even realize y’all knew each other.”

She shrugged. “We bumped into each other at the last race, and he asked me out. The night was okay until…” She pointed at her eye, and I winced.

“Yeah, sorry about that. Annie has kind of a quick temper.”

“She didn’t like me in your lap, huh?”

I gave her a funny look. “If you were my girlfriend, would you like another girl in my lap? Falling into it or not,” I added as I chucked the wipes in the trash.

“I could be.” She said it so quietly, I wasn’t sure I heard it.

“What?” I looked up, surprised as she took a side step that brought her right up to my side, her arm touchingmine on the counter. Two of her fingers brushed over it, stroking.

“You didn’t push me off last night…”

I stiffened, hearing the hope and insinuation in her voice, the way she was now touching me instantly feeling wrong.

Shit…The others had been right.Anniehad been right.

A hand slapped down on Ruby’s before I could move. “Get your hand off my boyfriend right now, or I will break your fucking fingers.”

Ruby sprang back and yanked her hand out like she’d been struck by lightning, Annie’s gaze like liquid fury as she stared her down.

“God, you’re psychotic.”

“Test me, bitch, and see how psychotic I can get.”

“Whoa.” Dad came out of the office right as she said it. “Watch it, Annie.” He looked between the girls, their eyes glaring and their fists clenched. Annie still looked like she was ready to fly over the counter. “What’s going on out here?” He looked at me.

“Ask your new hire,” Annie spat. “And your son, for not calling her off.Again.” She whipped around and stormed out the door.

My eyes locked on her back, panicked, knowing I needed to follow. I glanced at Dad, and he jerked his head in a nod. “Go.”

I raced around the counter, flying outside, and made it to her truck just before she could slam the door.

“Back off, Jet.”

“No.” I shoved myself between her and the door so she couldn’t close it.

“I’ll drive. Just likethis.”

“No, you won’t. And you know it. Now, scoot over so we can talk.Please,” I added when all she did was glare. Those brilliant green eyes were staring at me with a fire they’d never shot my way before. Her chin jutted with her clenched jaw, and her breaths were harsh and short while she debated. She was ready to let heads roll. She was breathtaking. I was nervous as hell. “Please,sweetheart. If we don’t fix this, she wins.”

Bingo.

I watched the flicker of fury in her eyes at the thought, and with all the attitude I deserved, she scooted to the passenger side.

I climbed in and shut the door.

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