Page 23 of Wild Card

“Oh shit, I’m so sorry.” I wasn’t even sure it was my fault, but I was an automatic apologizer in these kinds of situations. Okay, in all situations. I looked down and saw someone crouched by a truck tire, a hand running over their forehead.

“What in the world are you doing on the ground?”

The crouching stranger stood, towering over me by at least several inches, and that familiar burning sensation in my chest returned stronger than ever.

“I was checking my tire—”

“You!” My tone was clipped and cold because that was exactly how I felt about this asshole.

He took a step back, rubbing a hand in his eye socket like he was exhausted. It was two in the morning, so he probably was.

“You…what are you doing here, shitty Honda?” He looked around like he genuinely was confused how I had gotten there. Once his stare settled on me again, his eyes narrowed on my hair, then my shirt…and the bra I held in my hand.

Oh no he did not.

“Are you calling me ‘shitty Honda’ in your head?” It was late, and my manners were still back in Juan’s apartment, sleeping.

His eyes seemed to narrow. It was hard to make out with the shadows covering his face.

“I am not calling you anything in my head.” Strong hands flew to his chest in defensiveness.

I scoffed. “Sounds like you are.”

“Well I’m not. What in the fuck are you doing here?” He repeated himself then grabbed something out of the back of his truck, a backpack of some kind.

“You don’t live here, do you?” I ignored him, looking back toward Juan’s block of apartments.

Please, Lord, don’t let this asshole live here. Wait…he lives in the Devils team house…right? So, why is he here?I wanted to ask him, my throat itching with the sensation, but I knew he’d probably tell me it wasn’t my business…and he’d be right. I didn’t know him; therefore, I didn’t need to know anything about him.

He ignored me, still looking me over, a twitch working its way into that handsome jaw of his until those eyes landed on my lips and stayed there. “You dating someone who lives here or something?”

Why did he sound so angry?

I sidestepped him and replied with “Or something.”

I didn’t give him a second glance, keeping my eyes low as I walked toward my car.

“It’s late—you need to be careful out here,” he yelled at my back.

I stopped, turned slightly, and tried to discern the look on his face. Maybe the other night had just been an off night for him, but how he’d treated me really did say all that needed to be said about his character. I’d never listen to this guy, not in a billion years. If he said, “Don’t step there, it’s lava,” I’d step there on principle and then die. But it would be worth it.

I turned, ignoring him once more, and continued toward my car.

“I’m serious…I don’t want to see you out here again.”

I laughed under my breath. I didn’t give a single flying fuck what he wanted, but I was cold and tired. So, I unlocked my car and started it up. Driving away, I totally ignored how he stayed there watching me until I made the turn out of the parking lot.

* * *

Taylor mentionedthat when she’d gone home to recover, my dad asked that we come into the city for a meeting. She’d ended up staying at home for two days, and we were finally getting our first chance to talk about the party.

After arguing over whose car to take, Taylor drove us downtown. It was a measly three blocks away from Kline Global, but not once had I ever considered popping in to say hi to my dad during one of my therapeutic excursions.

“So, it totally sucked?” Taylor asked as we veered from the freeway toward the exit that would take us to my dad’s building.

“Yeah…the guy never even showed up. Isn’t that crazy?” I adjusted my seat and dug in my purse to put my sunglasses away and locate my lip-wear. I liked lipstick for color, but I needed moisture. I was also trying to avoid my stepsister’s reactions as I gave her a version of the truth that I hoped wouldn’t end up biting me in the ass. I essentially omitted the part where the guy showed up and then kicked me out.

“You didn’t know who it actually was though?” She fiddled with the buttons on the dash, turning the air conditioner on. She was dying to know who’d invited her, but if I told her it was Elias…then what? He was a total asshole. I mean, I didn’t feel unsafe around him or like I was in danger…but still. What a dick.

---