Page 75 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

Fuck.

I really needed to start marking off the days on my calendar, and I should probably get a calendar that wasn’t five years old.

“I can’t stay here. I’m grounded.”

His brow rose. “People still get grounded?”

“Yes, people still get grounded.” There was one of them right here. “So, I have to go home, or Maw Maw will kick my ass.”

“Have you met Cesare? I don’t think you have a choice.”

He wasn’t understanding. “She has slippers.”

A look of confusion washed over Atlee’s face, but I understood the threat of the dreaded slipper. They were all bendy, and thwacky, and hurt like hell when they hit your head.

“You need to take me home. I’ll be in enough trouble for skipping school today.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.” Atlee waved his hand. “I had my dad call in for us this morning.”

“Oh. Okay?” But that didn’t change the fact that, “I’m still grounded.”

Atlee turned to face me and slapped his hand on his chest. “Do you trust me?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s probably a good choice. However, you can trust that I have a way with women.”

Not sure if I liked where this was going. “Atlee Fiore, you better not be thinking about seducing my Maw Maw.”

“What? No!” He paused and eyed me for a second before adding, “is she hot?”

“Oh my god, get out of my truck!”

“I’m kidding,” he laughed. “I’m not going to fuck your grandma, but I bet I can convince her to let you stay here for the weekend.”

It was my turn to laugh. “Yeah right.”

Maw Maw was going to beat him black and blue.

“Just go inside and I’ll handle your Maw Maw.”

I shook my head. “No way.”

Don’t get me wrong, it would be hilarious to watch Atlee try and dodge Maw Maw’s amazing ability to hit her target, but I was not risking the fallout afterwards.

“Well, it’s either that or I take you home and Gio picks you up. Which one of those do you think will get you in the most trouble?”

Crap.

“Fine.” I sighed and opened the door. “But if she shows up here, I’m blaming you.”

Atlee tipped his head in a nod. “That’s fair.”

“And don’t scratch my truck.”

For some reason I was okay with him driving it, which disturbed me a little.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Gertrude.” He sang before driving away.

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