Page 40 of Pedal to the Metal

We sit in silence until Axell shows up to join us. I scoot down as well as Bowie to make room for him. “I remember when dad added this ol’ thing out here. Never thought it get much use," Axell says.

We hear the engine of Ace’s car and soon enough Ace and Jovi have joined us. Jovi asks me where Londynn is because he has to tell her about Operation Monrowe. “She’s not here right now. Maybe she’ll be at the races later.”

“Oh, I saw her car and just figured," he says looking a little disheartened.

I glance back over towards her car. “Yeah, her car died. I had to go tow it in.” I look back at the car again and realize that I don’t want to be without Londynn. That girl in that red car stole my heart the first time I saw her. I love her, but I need to tell her that. It’s getting late, races will start in a few hours. I get up from the table and face my brothers. “I love her.”

“No shit Sherlock," Ace tells me.

As I make my way to my car, I hear my brothers hollering and whistling from behind me. I can’t help but smile.

****

When I pull up to Londynn’s new condo, I notice they now have a welcome sign and doormat. I’m slightly surprised to see Farrah’s car still here. I figured she’d be out with Connor. When I ring the doorbell Farrah answers and clearly, she’s getting ready for the races. She dressed in her normal overly sexy attire and her hair is in rollers. “Jagger? I didn’t know you were coming," she says after the initial shock wears off.

“Yeah, I didn’t plan on it either. Is Londynn here?”

She steps back and lets me inside. I look around and notice that it’s almost all unpacked and decorated. “She’s been in her room watchingGone with the Wind.” I raise my eyebrows in question. “It’s kind of like her go to movie. She watches it whenever she’s emotional so be careful and good luck.”

“Thanks” I tell her as she turns and heads back upstairs to her room. I walk past the kitchen and living room, down the small hallway to Londynn’s room. I knock on the door and go in.To my surprise she’s dressed in a pair of sleep shorts and worn-out t-shirt. Her hair is piled on top of her head, and she has a carton of ice cream sitting in her lap. “Hey pretty girl.” She just looks at me but doesn’t say anything. “Londynn, I owe you an apology.”

She sighs and rolls her eyes. “I don’t want an apology Jagger.” She lifts the remote and pauses the movie.

“Then what do you want?”

“Oh my God! Do you really have to ask that?” She asks.

I run a hand through my hair. This wasn’t going how I had planned. I had this all going very differently in my head. I don’t know how I keep messing this all up. “What is it with you here lately? You always want more from me on your terms but then you’re embarrassed to be seen with me in your part of the world.”

“What?” she basically yells, her voice rising with her emotions.

“You don’t have to act like you’re not. I get it. I’m not Ryce Whitten. I don’t drive a Porsche and I don’t have a trust fund. I know I don’t fit into your world. I don’t need you only wanting me or using me on your terms," I tell her, my own emotions rising.

She gives me a shocked and hurt look. “Is that what you think? That I’m embarrassed by you because of what kind of car you drive or where you’re from because if you do then you don’t know me at all! And I’m so freakin’ glad that you’renothinglike Ryce Whitten. Ryce is a horrible excuse for a man but you,youare without a doubt one of the best. I don’t want you just on my terms and I don’t know how you can accuse me of that.”

I let out a hard laugh. “It’s not that hard to piece together Londynn. You keep me as far from your parents and their mansion as possible. When we first went and got some of your things you tried so damn hard to make sure they wouldn’t bethere. Then when you needed the rest of your stuff you called Duke, the brother that you barely speak to. And now you’re not even coming to the races tonight. You know those races are important to me, but I guess that doesn’t matter.”

“You think because I didn’t ask you to go get my stuff that I’m embarrassed by you or because I didn’t want to go to the races tonight that I don’t care. You’re wrong Jagger. I didn’t ask you to go get my stuff for you. If you had showed up at that house without me, then my parents would have called the cops and had you arrested for trespassing. I was protecting you because I can’t be around them right now. I couldn’t send you to face them without me. I would never put you through something like that. And as far as the races I wasn’t going because you’ve been distant, and I didn’t really want to see Ryce. It was never because of you or that I didn’t care," she says, and I notice the unshed tears in her eyes forming. I’m such an ass. Why do I keep doing this? I cross the room and try to pull her into my arms, but she holds up her hands to stop me, “No Jagger. Don’t. You need to go.” She tells me.

“Londynn…I…I’m sorry. I don’t know why I keep doing this.”

She shakes her head so hard her some of hair falls lose. “Leave Jagger.” Then she turns her back to me. I stand there for a few second before crossing her room and shutting her door behind me. As I walk down the hallway, I run a hand over my face and let out a frustrated grunt. When the kitchen comes into view, I see Farrah standing there drinking some water.

I shrug. “I guess I’ll see you at the races. I’m sure you heard that and know that Londynn isn’t coming. I’m sorry I never meant to hurt her in any way.” I turn to leave. As I’m sitting behind the wheel of my car, I notice the screen of my radio flash with a favorite artist alertKings of Leon. I bang my hands on the steering wheel. I haven’t been this insecure since I first started dating Harlyn. Harlyn. Maybe that’s my whole issue. Ikeep pushing Londynn because what I feel for her is in some ways stronger than what I felt for Harlyn, and it just feels like I’m doing something wrong.

I start the car and pull out of the parking space. I glance once more back at the door. Leaving Londynn upset and hurt in her room just seems wrong, but my damn pride is just too bruised to go back in there. So, I put my car in drive and peel out of the parking lot.

Chapter 23

Londynn

I’m staring blankly at the wall in front of me while trying to keep myself in check when a knock on the door brings me back to reality. Farrah is standing in my doorway dressed in her normal Farrah fashion. She has a red long-sleeved shirt that comes off her shoulders. The sleeves start in the middle of her upper arm causing the top of the shirt to expose more of her chest than necessary. Her light wash jeans are tight and low rise leaving her belly button exposed. Her metallic wedges top off her outfit. She looks beautiful and sexy, not something I could never pull off. This is the type of girl Jagger needs, not me.

Farrah crosses the room and sits down next to me on the bed. She reaches for my hand, “Londynn, you need to go to the races tonight.”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t. Besides you heard Jagger, he doesn’t even think I care.”

“Londynn, Jagger James is not like the boys you’re use to dating. Guys like Ryce have money to fix their wounded prides and to buy their girlfriends back if they upset them. Jagger doesn’t have any of that. He’s just a genuine guy that is falling in love with you.” I whip my head in her direction. I don’t know what would make her think that he’s falling in love with me. Farrah lets out a small laugh at my reaction. “I’ve only seen Jagger look at one other girl that way and it was Harlyn and actually I don’t think he even looked at her as strongly as he does you. Not to say he didn’t love and care about her because we all knew he did but with you it’s different. I think that’s scared him too.”

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