Page 58 of My Hotshot

“I’m not saying anything because I don’t even understand,” she said.

I sighed. “Your mom and I dated in high school. We ran into each other again a couple weeks ago.”

Lottie’s eyes widened. “Wow, Mom. You hadvery differenttaste in guys back then.”

Lainey groaned. “Pretty suremy tasteisn’t the issue right now.”

“And just so you know,” she added, motioning to me, “Duane didn’t look likethisback then.”

“Hot?” Lottie said bluntly.

Lainey glared. “Watch your mouth.”

“Iamwatching it,” Lottie huffed. “It’s just saying what we’re all thinking.”

“Why are we going to the play—clubhouse?” Lottie asked. “I get that you’re dating my mom, but don’t you think it’s a little barbaric tokidnapus?”

“We’re not kidnapping you,” I said. “We’re protecting you.”

Lottie raised an eyebrow. “From what?”

I didn’t want to go into Boone and Gibbs by name. She didn’t need all the detail. Not yet.

“There are a couple of bad guys trying to hurt us—and anyone close to us. Until they’re handled, the safest place for you two is the clubhouse.”

“Okay,” Lottie said.

“Okay?!” Lainey echoed. “How are you okay with that?”

Lottie shrugged. “Because it makes sense. And, like… bikers? Come on. They’re bad—”

“Lottie,” Lainey warned.

“—butts,” Lottie finished with a sigh. “They’re total bad butts.”

She leaned her head against the seat. “And it’s not like I’m gonna have a social life for the next two years. Might as well be grounded somewhere cool.”

That was teenage logic for you.

“Am I still going to school?” she asked.

“Rocky does,” I said. “We just keep eyes on him.”

“Ugh,” Lottie groaned. “I was hoping for a free pass.”

“No luck, kid,” I said with a grin and exited the highway.

“We’re not done talking about tonight,” Lainey warned her.

“I know,” Lottie muttered. “Can’t we just be distracted by the bikers until we get to the playhouse?”

“Clubhouse,” Lainey and I corrected in unison again.

Lottie giggled.

It was quiet for a while after that until we pulled into Lainey’s driveway. The house looked dark. Still. Waiting.

“We’ll be right back,” Lainey said, and unbuckled. “You don’t need to come in.”

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