Page 73 of Take My Heart
‘To get you to do shit with her. Maybe the guy cheated on her and she wanted to get back at him by being with you. You two hook up, she feels like she got even with her ex, and they get back together.’
‘That’s not what she’s doing. She’s not getting back with him.’
‘You just met the girl. You’ve known her for like two days. And you’re believing everything she says?’
‘She wasn’t using me to get back at her ex. And even if shewas, you think I care?’ I smile. ‘It was a damn good night. She can use me all she wants.’
Nick rolls his eyes. ‘Just be careful, okay? The casual sex thing doesn’t always work out.’
‘Meaning what?’
‘Meaning sometimes feelings get involved, and if only one of you is feeling something, that person will end up getting hurt.’
‘And you thinkI’mthat person?’ I laugh. ‘When have I ever had those types of feelings for a girl?’
He shrugs. ‘It can happen without you realizing it. And then it’s too late.’
‘Too late for what?’
‘To not get your heart broken.’
‘Trust me, my heart is not involved. She’s only here a few weeks and then she’s leaving. That’s not long enough for me to get all crazy about her.’
‘A few weeks?’ Nick gets that crease in his forehead that shows up when he gets concerned. ‘I thought she was leaving when the storm ended.’
‘She has a few weeks off from her job so she decided to stay.’
‘Here. With you.’
‘Yeah. Why? What’s the big deal?’
‘You don’t find that strange? That some girl from Chicago wants to hang out in a small town with a guy she just met?’
‘She doesn’t want to go home and have to deal with her family. She wants time away from all that. And she’s paying me rent so why wouldn’t I do it?’
‘She’s paying you to stay here?’
‘That’s the deal. If she wasn’t paying rent, I would’ve told her to leave.’ I wouldn’t have, but I’m not going to tell Nick that.
‘And you’re sure you can trust this girl to be alone here when you’re out doing jobs?’
‘Yes. What do you think she’s going to do? Steal my shitty furniture? If so, she can have it. Can we stop talking about Kate and work on the plow?’
He gets in the truck and picks up the controller. ‘Can you get your toolbox?’
I get it and bring it over to him. ‘What do you need?’
‘Some pliers, a flashlight, and maybe a screwdriver.’
I hand him the tools. ‘I think the controller’s bad. I read online that people have had problems with that one.’
He leans down to look at something. ‘I think I found the issue.’
‘What is it?’
‘Get in on the other side and I’ll show you.’
I go around the truck and get in on the passenger’s side.
