Page 31 of Fast Lane

Roscoe looks around while nodding his head. “Yeah, I should.” Without another word he heads to the door. “Kosi?” I turn around, he looks so uncertain. “Do you want to come with me?”.

My gut reaction is yes! Then I stop and look around at the mess. I can’t leave the room like this. Free Fall is open tomorrow. “I really should clean up here.”

A look of disappointment washes over the handsome features of his face. “Yeah, okay,” he says quietly before he turns and heads out. For a moment I just take in the room. The paint cans are open, the food is now forgotten. Deciding on what to start with I turn around. When a hand wraps around my bicep and spins me around. I don't even have time to think before Roscoe’s lips crash on mine. Everything falls away. When he pulls back I can read the silent pleading in his eyes. “Please, come with me. We’ll get new paint.”

Silence hits me. I’m dumbfounded by the Roscoe in front of me. I don’t know how to react so I grasp onto the only thing I can think of. “That’s a waste of money. The owner might not like that.”

Roscoe waves a hand dismissively. “I am the owner and I’m saying it’s fine to leave it. I’ll grab the food but come with me, Kosi.”

My common sense goes out the window. Without thinking, my head bobs up and down. “Okay.”

He pulls me into him once more and presses a quick kiss to my mouth before stepping away and grabbing the food. I rush over and grab my purse and phone, turning the music off in the process. When I turn around I realize we have both forgotten something. “Roscoe.” He turns around and looks at me. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” I watch as he surveys the room and then shakes his head no. Laughter bubbles out from me. “Your shirt. You ruined it on my foot and now you’re shirtless and have paint all over your back.”

For the first time he looks down and it sinks in. He starts laughing. It’s probably not appropriate considering Riverlyn is distraught right now but it’s all we can do. As Roscoe passes by me he hands me the sack of food and disappears into the back. When he comes back out he is buttoning up a short sleeve black shirt. “There’s no need to traumatize my sister even more tonight.”

“I agree.”

He takes my free hand in his and pulls me out of the office. Once we step outside, he locks the door. Guilt settles in my bones because I can’t believe I just let him talk me into leaving good paint to dry out. I really should have stayed and at least picked up the stuff. The car ride is quiet except for the music. My thoughts are going a mile a minute, guilt has completely won out over my body. I’m assuming Roscoe knows where we're going because he’s driving like he does. It isn’t until he turns onto one of the residential streets that something he said earlier clicks into my head. I whip around to face him. “You own Free Fall?”

For a moment he glances in my direction, indecision written on his face. When he looks away he clears his throat before announcing. “We’re here.” Perfect timing for him. I, on the other hand, feel oddly upset. This entire time he’s led me to believe that someone else hired me for the job. I took the job under false pretenses. Roscoe probably gave me that job as some kind of pity thing. I’m so stupid. Roscoe pulls up along the curb. The house we are parked in front of is definitely not the party house because it’s quiet and dark. He glances my way. “Once we get this sorted out and whatnot, I’ll explain the ownership.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation,” I tell him before I turn around and climb out of the car. A car door slams shut behind me.

“Kosi,” he says my name. Almost like he’s pleading with me.

I’m ahead of him and I plan to keep it that way. He doesn’t say anything else. My eyes land on the sight of Urban and Riverlyn sitting on a set of porch steps. He seems to be comforting her which is odd. Most guys his age just awkwardly pat your shoulder or back while trying to run away from a crying teenage girl. Urban, though, is sitting there, arm draped over her shoulders, her head resting in the crook of his neck. His hand rubs slowly up and down her arm. He seems oddly comfortable. “I found them.”

Roscoe sighs in relief as he darts around me and towards Riverlyn. She meets him halfway on the sidewalk so I decide to go over and talk to Urban. From what I can remember about him, he moved to the states from England recently. Urban is tall and lean with well-defined muscles. His hair is a medium brown with a slight wave to it but he keeps it cut short so you can’t tell. Pale skin, square jaw, and the prettiest aquamarine eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s also rich or well, I guess his dad is. “Hey, in case Roscoe forgets to say it, thank you for calling him about Riverlyn.”

“No problem. I didn’t think she was in any kind of state to get herself home and she wasn’t comfortable enough with me. Smart girl though. I mean not getting into a car with someone she doesn’t know. A lot would these days.” His British accent is thick.

As I listen to him talk I have to say, he sounds pretty smart himself. “You looked pretty comfortable with her.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “It’s one of the things my mum taught me. How to truly comfort a lady. No awkward pat and trying to bolt for me.”

“Smart lady,” I comment.

Urban looks down at the ground. His jaw clenches and I feel like I brought up a subject I shouldn’t have. “She was. I have to say though… it made me bloody popular with the ladies, but not so much with the guys.” He chuckles at whatever thought is crossing his mind now.

“I bet that didn’t go over so well with them.” I can just picture the fights he’s been into because of that alone.

“No, not at all. They thought I was trying to go after their girl. I mean, I didn’t need to comfort her in order to do that. My looks alone could do that,” he tells me. Shocks hits me, but when I look up at him he just smiles and winks. “The accent doesn’t hurt either. Girls are suckers for accents.”

My head falls back in laughter. “That is very true.” I can list at least ten celebrities who are definitely more attractive because of their accent alone.

Riverlynand Roscoe make their way towards us. When Riverlyn spots me she jogs forward and straight into my arms. I wrap my arms around her and stroke her hair. “It’s going to be okay.” She doesn't say anything just squeezes tighter. Roscoe watches us before turning to Urban and thanking him.

“It wasn’t a problem at all. I’m glad I could help.” For a moment, Roscoe and Urban seem to be having some sort of standoff but eventually Urban nods and announces. “Well, I should head back.” His thumb over his shoulder indicates what he means. Back to the party.

Riverlyn steps away from me and starts to slide the expensive leather jacket off her shoulders. “Don’t forget this.”

Urban walks backwards very slowly. “I’ll get it later. You need it more than I do at the moment. See you soon, Riverlyn.” Urban is all bright eyes and smiles as he continues to walk backwards while staring at Riverlyn. She also can’t seem to take her eyes off him. Something tells me this is the last call Roscoe will be receiving concerning Josh.

Twenty-Eight

Roscoe

Kosi puts Riverlyn in the passenger seat as we head to my father’s house. I want to protest but Kosi has clearly put up some walls of defense once again. It’s frustrating. We just had one hell of a moment. The type of moment that I can’t ignore, I can’t avoid. There’s no way I can ever ignore her again. However, I’m not sure what she’s thinking but it feels like she’s a million miles away. I hate it. Riverlyn talks to Kosi nonstop and I should probably be paying attention but my head is still at Free Fall with Kosi on the damn ladder. The only thing I have managed to catch is that Riverlyn clearly has a newfound crush on Urban. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but I file that away for something to deal with another day.

---