Page 6 of Addicted to Love

Grabbing my purse, I throw it down on the counter next to him with a sigh. “Just take it.”

The sunlight streams in through my tiny window, lighting up my room in a way that almost makes the small space look romantic instead of grody. Rubbing my palms over my eyes, I groan. Did I really give my dad my purse yesterday? I have almost thirty dollars in there since I’d been paid yesterday and I’d planned to head to the thrift store today for some new jeans. Well, at least I’d have some peace for a few days as he went out and scored.

Reluctantly I sit up, today I’d have to find Mark and convince him to go and talk to Luke. Maybe they could work something out if Mark apologised. Looking over at my alarm clock, it reads almost 1pm, and I can’t believe that I’ve slept in for so long. It’s not like me to stay in bed past 9am, but the last few days had been draining and I guess it had taken its toll. That plus I may have cried a little over Mark and how he’d turned into someone I barely recognised. I don’t know what had come over me, but it was like a weight on my chest as I’d laid in bed, thinking about everything we’d been through. I flitted between anger and hurt, about the messes he was making and how once again he’d vanished, leaving me to clean up after him.

Once I’ve finished pulling on a worn, almost threadbare He-Man T-shirt and a pair of khaki overalls I’ve customised, I grab my purse from where I’d left it last night, quickly count out the loose change my father left and slide on my sneakers. I twist my hair up into a messy bun and secure it with my scrunchie, not caring that I look like some sort of dishevelled artist. I needed to get to the bank, I was going to have to dig into my savings but then I could do a little bit of bargain hunting.

I shove a pair of sunglasses on to hide the bags under my eyes as I step out into the sunshine only to be greeted by Luke Anderson’s smiling face.

“Afternoon,” he says with a grin. Today he’s wearing a white shirt, with two blue stripes and a pair of dark indigo jeans and a grey, zip-up jacket. He looks more casual than usual, and even his face seems more relaxed.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I shove my hands into my overall pockets. Yes, they have pockets. Was he here to find Mark? If that was the case, he was hanging around outside the wrong trailer.

He runs a hand through his hair, before looking at me with another grin. “I heard you have a day off and I want to take you out.”

“I’m sorry, what?” My mouth seems to have gone dry as his words sink in. Luke was here for me. Me? Trailer trash Tammy with the smart mouth. “You need to stop sweet talking my boss for my rota. It’s called stalking.”

“I can’t help it, she loves me. PlusBack to the Futureis showing at the mall and I want to take you to see it.”

I’d been dying to see it too, the posters had been placed all around the Galleria but it was a waste of money when I needed new jeans and a new pair of boots before winter came.

Tilting my head, I tease him a little. “Do you really not work? You’re almost thirty, shouldn’t you be busy in an office somewhere?”

He oozed money and a good education, there was no way he was loafing around Pine Grove for no reason. Chuckling, he places a hand in his jean pocket and flashes me a look. “I start my new job at the end of August. So until then, I’m all yours.”

“Not mine.” I’m quick to correct him, even though this draw between us seems to be growing every time I see his stupid, handsome face. He’s too nice, too gentle with me, and that makes me want things I can’t have.

He winks. “Could be.”

I lift a hand to silence him with a sigh. “I’m not even going to reply to that.”

My words are met with another chuckle and I know he feels it too, this pull. This undeniable chemistry that has us circling around each other.

“I can’t go to the movies, I need to do some shopping.” I didn’t want to sit in the dark with him, because I knew what happened in the back seat at the movies, I knew what I’d be tempted to do.

He seems to think it over for a moment, before replying, “Well, let’s go shopping and then maybe we can catch the evening showing?”

“Maybe. How can you even drive with that thing?” I ask, pointing at his cast.

“I can’t, I got a cab here.”

“Too posh for the bus?” I tease.

There’s laughter in his eyes as he looks wounded. “Didn’t want to get lost. I’m in strange territory, with a handicap and a handsome face. It’s not safe out there.”

I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles forth from my lips, so I don’t even try.

* * *

We head to Threads at the mall, where I can browse the sales racks to my heart's content. I take my time, not caring that Luke seems a little restless behind me.

“You buy all your clothes from the sales racks?” Luke asks, genuine curiosity in his voice when he sees the armful of clothes I’ve grabbed. “But you always look amazing.”

I laugh, oh to be rich and not care about how much money is spent on being fashionable. “Some of the stuff I wear I get from thrift stores too, and then I just customize them a little. Add a few patches. Maybe some tie-dye. Or just good old-fashioned safety pins and bleach.”

Shrugging, I’m aware that my face has become a little heated. He said I look amazing. And I had to admit, I was proud of the pieces I wore. Like I’d created something that was worth the effort and time I’d spent on it.

“Wow…” He whistles and holds out his good arm, nodding at me to place the items I’ve picked up over him like a clothing rack.

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