Page 9 of Secrets in Love
Hot?I am becoming a real New Yorker? What the fuck?
Just knife me in the guts, Gidge.
Jealousy induced a head-to-toe sweat, and the phone almost slipped from my grasp. Was my theoretical, one-sided grip on Evie waning too?
Me: Who is this Christian guy?
Evie: Hi. You’re awake? Did I wake you? God, Nate. Are you not alone?
Me: No one is here. I’m not a complete slut.
Evie: Sure
Me: Who is Christian???? Has Finn met him?
Evie: I told you; he is the studio’s owner and senior teacher, and yes, Finn has met him. He is Iris’s dance teacher. He used to be a pro but busted his knee so many times he had to stop. Anyway, he came into class and danced with one of the kids. I legit nearly cried, and after class, we went and had coffee, and he offered me a permanent role. Four classes a week, Nate!
Of course, because my life was shit, my phone battery died. On an exaggerated groan, I rolled from side to side in bed, searching for the charger, but came up empty-handed. By flashlight, I tore the house and my truck apart and retraced my steps between the two a hundred times, but apart from a still-good bag of Twisties and a Chocolate Big M, I came up empty-handed. “Shit. I must have left it at the sheds.” At that time, I couldn’t go back and get it. The shearers’ quarters were behind the main shed, and they’d kill me if I woke them up, and Mum would have a heart attack if she heard the truck start up.
With a belly full of fake cheese flavoring, warm milk, and rage for this Christian asshole that I wanted to beat to a pulp, I fell back into bed and lay staring at the roof till dawn.
Shearing wasn’t due to start till eight-thirty, but I was out the door and parking behind the shed to ensure I was in the shade by six am. The relief that washed over me when I heard that click and beep were utterly stupid but genuine. I just had to wait for enough charge to message Evie—that was the plan, anyway. What happened was, I fell asleep and woke up with the rapidly heating sun burning the side of my face and a gentle tapping on my shoulder. Whoever it was, I wasn’t interested. “Fucking leave me be.”
“That’s not very nice to say to someone who brought you an egg-and-bacon sandwich and a coffee the size of a small car for breakfast.”
The delicious scent hit my nostrils simultaneously as my left eye popped open. The sun was shining right behind the blacked-out figure before me, but with one look at the curvaceous shape, my womanizing eyes knew precisely who it was. “Shit, Polly. What are you doing here?” I quickly stood, wiped the drool from my chin and tried not to breathe anywhere near her as I couldn’t remember if I’d brushed my teeth.
“I went to your place, but your mum stopped me and said you had left before six. She figured you would be here, so here I am. Sorry it’s so early, but I am heading to Sydney and wanted to see if you needed a lift into town to get your car before I left. “She handed me my breakfast and took a sip of her coffee still sitting in the cardboard drinks tray. “Why are you here so early?”
“Uhh, I left something behind and had to come and get it before we started.” Silence descended as we drank from our cups, and I got engrossed in my sandwich.” Mm, this is great. Where did you get it?”
“I made it at home.” I nearly spat it all over her lovely low-cut shirt.
“You made this for me”—I glanced at my watch—“at seven-thirty in the morning?”
“No, I made it at six twenty-five in the morning. Then I got the coffee and drove to your house, where you weren’t, and then I drove here. Hence why everything is kinda cold.”
She sounded a little disappointed.
“Cold it may be, but it’s bloody amazing. Especially considering what my last meal was. I’m not sure what I did to deserve all this, but I appreciate it. It’s very sweet of you.”
“Maybe.” She smirked. “Or maybe I just have an ulterior motive.”
With a hearty dose of side-eye, I took another bite. It really was good.
“Now I’m kinda nervous. What can I do for you, Polly?”
“Oh, it’s just Polly now? No PollyWaffle?”
The egg started to turn in my belly. “Shit. I think you’ve done enough driving around for me already, Pol. Especially since I wassucha complete asshole. I’m so sorry… Oh, and Mum and Dad already brought my truck home. It’s parked out back.” Then I remembered.
I asked her to come inside. Asked her to make me not lonely and decided she should be my girl. God, did I think that bit or say it?
Recognizing the embarrassment on my face, Polly spared me the indignity I deserved.
“Not a complete asshole. Maybe just one cute ass cheek. But it is kind of the other reason I’m here. Something you said got me thinking, and I think I can help you, and in turn, you can help me.”
“Sounds ominous. What is it we can help each other with? Apart from breakfast and coffee and driving home when drunk. Oh wait, that’s all the things you’ve already done for me,” I said sarcastically. “I guess it’s time I did something for you.”
