Page 33 of Drive Me Wilde

"Sometimes, Jones, it's as if you don't know me at all. That hate was only coming from one direction, darlin', and it certainly wasn't from me."

I don't know how to respond. It's always easy to rewrite history in your mind, but when I think back to times when I was with Weston and his friends, Jameson was always angry. He always seemed to be scowling at me. I never knew what I did to deserve his wrath. I just assumed he hated that I sometimes hung out with them, like I was that pesky sibling always hanging around. Never mind the fact that I was dating the third member of their trio. When I hung out with them it was because I wanted to be around Zach. That always seemed to irritate Jameson.

"Whenever we all hung out together," I start but the conversation is cut short, possibly mercifully so, by Rio's excitement. She's still clutching her phone as if it's holding the secret to the universe.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" She hops up from the couch and runs over to her dad. "Indi was dating Landon Arlo." She swipes open the page. "It says they were in a relationship for a year, but they kept it private." Rio looks at me with a twisted expression. "Why would you keep that private? If I was dating Landon Arlo, I'd be telling the whole world, or, at least Becky Parker. She's the meanest girl in school. A total bully. She thinks she's special because she's the most popular girl. Why are themost popular girls always so mean? Boy, will her mouth drop open when I tell her my dad is dating Landon's ex."

"First of all, tiger," Jameson says as he takes her phone and moves it behind him. Rio tries to grab it from him, but it's never going to happen, so she gives up with a grunt. "Your dad is not dating Landon's ex, and not all popular girls are mean." He looks slyly at me with a teasing smile. "Well, maybe to some people," he says offhandedly.

Rio is too focused on her out of reach phone to hear any of it.

Jameson looks up at her. "We need to work on that science report."

"Nooo," Rio says with a few good boot stomps. She's in that preteen version of middle-earth between tantrums and maturity.

I decide it's time to leave. I got an answer to my question about Jameson leaving flowers at the cemetery. While I've been busy hating Jameson for being on the road that day, Jameson has been living with the burden of knowing he caused a man's death and even wishing there'd been a different outcome. It's tragic no matter what way I look at it.

"I'll let you guys get to the science report. I'll come back another time to help with your pictures, Rio."

"Oh good, and then you can dish on everything you know about Landon Arlo. Is he a good kisser?" Rio asks.

"Discussion over. Stop pelting Indi with questions," Jameson says tersely. Rio pouts, sits down hard on the couch and crosses her arms.

Jameson walks me to the door.

"Thanks for the sandwich …" I look at him. "And everything. Thanks for staying with him." The words catch in my throat. I hurry away before he sees me cry yet again. My phone buzzes as I reach the bike. As if he knew he was the center of discussion,it's a call from Landon. I'm not in the mood to talk, but I answer it anyway.

"Hey Landon. I'm just about to?—"

"Guess our secret is out," he says. He has a habit of talking over me, and I realize now how much it annoys me.

"What secret? There is no secret because we are no longer a?—"

"I miss you," he blurts. "And Genie wants you back. She says you can have the car, the apartment and the job back."

A laugh blasts from my mouth. "Are you kidding? You must be kidding. In fact, please tell me you're kidding. I would work for Satan, himself, before I worked for that woman again. She can keep her apartment and her car and her stupid fucking job. I'm not going back to L.A. ever."

"C'mon, Indi. You left so abruptly. Let's talk about this."

"No, really, Landon. Move on. I'm sure you've got a long trail of women waiting to step into my shoes. Start with Miss Double-D."

"You're never going to let me live that one down."

I can't stop another laugh. "I'm sorry, but no, Landon, I'm not. I've got to go. Good luck with your career, and tell Genie she can eat a big block of cheese and die for all I care." I hang up and shove the phone in my pocket. It would be just like Genie to have Landon call and offer me the job back. She would never lower herself to grovel, but it sounds like she's doing exactly that, through a proxy. She knows it's nearly impossible to find an assistant willing to take the verbal abuse I took from her, so she needs me back. It gives me a nice little boost of satisfaction knowing Genie's aggravated by something. I hope it continues.

fourteen

. . .

Indi

Idecide to go to the sandwich shop to see if they need some help. What I don't expect is to walk in and find Kinsley scowling at me over the counter. "Well, there she is—" she says coldly.

A few teens stare at me as they walk out. They're whispering something that seems to have to do with me.

Nev doesn't seem to be interested in whatever bee Kinsley has in her bonnet. She's busy wiping down the work counter.

"What's going on?" I ask Kinsley. Have I just lost my room? Maybe it really was a mistake coming back to Rockhurst.

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