Page 15 of Drive Me Wilde

"I heard that," Rio says as she enters the dining room. She practically throws her plate on the table and runs out. I don't have time to ask where she's going before she returns with a big jar that's filled with dollar bills. She energetically twists off the cap and shoves the open jar at Jameson. Her blue eyes sparkle my direction. "Look closely at this jar. There's a horse or a scooter inside of it. Haven't decided which yet. Probably the scooter because Uncle Zander says he has the perfect horse for me at the ranch—once I've taken some more lessons." She pushes the jar closer to Jameson.

"My wallet is in the bedroom. You'll have to wait, Miss Greedy McMoneypants."

Someone knocks on the front door and it opens. "I brought donuts because I'm that kind of guy." The voice is oddly familiar, but I can't put a face to it. However, the face across from me tightens with a grimace.

Rio has an entirely different reaction. She places the jar down and skips to the entry. "You better have a jelly donut in that box."

"Would I forget your jelly donut?" the voice asks.

Jameson is staring at me as Rio skips back to the dining room holding a large pink box. A tall man steps into the room next. It takes us both a few seconds to recognize each other.

"Holy crap," Zach says. "Indi, is that you?"

I can still feel Jameson's intense gaze on the side of my face as I stand up to greet him. "Zach?" I look past him. "Is your wife with you?"

Zach smiles. He's still as handsome as ever with his boy-next-door, wholesome good looks. He was built in high school, but like Jameson, he's filled out too. "Audrey and I broke up two years ago. I'm working in Bassett, at a real estate brokerage." He looks at Jameson. "You didn't tell me Indi was back in town."

Before Jameson can explain that I'm an unexpected guest, Zach grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug. "Holy shit, I can't believe it's you." I don't have time to warn him about the ribs before he lifts me off my feet.

I hear a chair scrape the floor behind me. "Put her down," Jameson says angrily enough that Rio grows quiet and sets down her donut.

Zach lowers me to my feet. I'm still holding my breath against the pain. I sense some waves of angry heat coming off Zach. "Well, shit, here we go again," he says dryly. "Wait, are you two together?"

"What?" We both answer with the same stunned tone.

"No, we're not together," I say briskly. I have no idea why I spit it out so fast, but my quick response makes the little muscle twitch in Jameson's jaw. I used to watch that little twitch grow in intensity whenever he was mad or upset. It happened a lot.

"Indi has some bruised ribs," Jameson says coldly. He picks up his plate and carries it into the kitchen.

"Shit, Indi, I'm sorry. How'd that happen?'

"Clumsy accident. It's fine."

Rio looks glum as she stares at her dad's empty chair. "Why is he so mad?" she asks Zach.

The whole dining room scene is surreal, and it's made more so by Jameson's reaction to Zach's arrival. The man walked inwith donuts, which seems to indicate they're still friends. I turn to Zach. "What did you mean when you said 'here we go again'?"

Zach looks down and shakes his head. It's the whole prom night dismissal all over again. "Fine, I'll let you twoboyswork out your little spat." I turn to Rio. She's still wearing a sweet frown. "How's that jelly donut? Those are my favorite, too, but your pancakes were so delicious, even a jelly donut can't compete." Her smile returns. There's a small gap between her front teeth that makes her even cuter.

I smile at Zach. "It was nice seeing you, Zach. I've got to pack up my things and head over to Kiki's house." I have no idea if Kinsley is home, but it seems I've overstayed my welcome here.

"Wait, Indi, we should get some dinner. You know, catch up on old times," Zach suggests.

"That would be nice, Zach. Thanks."

I'm in the bedroom packing my things when Jameson knocks. He's holding my phone. "It's charged. Looks like you've missed some calls and texts."

I glance at the screen. Most of the texts are from Landon. Easy enough to ignore.

Jameson looks down at my duffle. "So, you're leaving?"

"I'm sure you're glad, but thank you for having me. I'll text Kiki. I'm hoping I can crash at her place while I figure out what to do with my life."

Some of the hurt smooths from his face, and he swallows hard, as if relieved. "So, you're staying in town? In Rockhurst?"

"For now. But not long. There's nothing here for me anymore."

The hurt returns. "Right. Well then, good luck with figuring out your life," he says coldly.

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