Page 16 of Fast & Dirty
“Oh shit.” She lifts her ass up to look in the rearview mirror. Probably checking for cops. I gape at her. “Whatever, it’s not like we’re gonna get pulled over.”
“What the hell is wrong with you tonight? You don’t show up? You don’t answer my texts? You’re driving like a fucking maniac!”
“Sorry.” She runs her hands through her hair, taking both off the wheel for a second too fucking long. She grips the wheel and looks out her window before taking a deep breath and looking straight ahead. Her voice lowers and a sad frown pulls her pouty lips down as she says, “It’s just been a fucked up day.” Her response softens my heart and suddenly I don’t give a shit about anything other than what’s got her looking so upset.
“What happened?” I feel a need to protect her. Lexi’s naïve and gets her heart hurt a lot. I have a bad feeling her day’s gone to shit because of her ass of an ex. She purses her lips and shakes her head before wiping stray tears from her eyes with the palm of her hand.
“I don’t wanna talk about it.”
I put a consoling hand on her thigh and squeeze lightly. “It’s alright, babe.”
“I’m sorry I’m such a shit friend.” She gasps for air in between sobs. Fuck. She should really pull over.
“It’s alright. It’s okay. You want me to drive?” I keep my voice soft even though her driving is really starting to freak me out. She shakes her head and breathes in deep, trying to calm herself down. I sit back in my seat and look out the window; we’re a few minutes away from her place and I can just walk home from there. I’m only a block down from her.
“You remember when Friday nights used to be so much fun for us?” She nods her head and smiles. “When did we get to be so lame?”
She snorts, “You just got laid by a biker and you think that’s lame?” I laugh without humor and without warning the tears come back.
“I’m so fucking stupid.” My head slams into the headrest as I slump in the seat. “I really thought there was something between us.”
“Was it just a good time for him?”
I wipe the bastard tears with the back of my hand and sniffle while I nod my head. “Yeah. One of many, I guess.”
“You going to be alright tonight?” I know what she’s getting at, and it’s nice of her to ask, but I’d rather be alone tonight. I turn in my seat to tell her that I’m going to bed with a bottle of wine, but the look on her face makes me think she needs me.
“You want me to stay with you?” I offer. I may not want company, but it looks like she does. She shakes her head at my question though.
“Not if you don’t want company. I need to be alone.” I don’t think the last part was for me, but I nod my head anyway.
“Your tattooed hunk was there tonight.” I shift in the seat, adjusting my dress, and keep my eyes on her, gauging her reaction. The mention of her crush does nothing to brighten her spirits.
She noticeably swallows before muttering, “He must have left before I got there.”
I pout and say, “Sorry.” Damn, I didn’t mean to make her feel any worse. I slink back in my seat and I see that we’re pulling up to my place.
She shakes her head. “Don’t be. I only went to find you when I realized your phone was dead.”
“You didn’t have to drop me off; I could’ve walked.”
“Yeah I did.” She looks at me with sad eyes and a small smile. “I’m sorry I left you hanging tonight.” I lean over the console and give her a firm hug. I hold on a second longer than usual.
“It’s alright, babe,” I say and look deep into her blue eyes, “everything’s gonna be alright.” She widens her sad smile.
“Love you, girl.” She gives me a small kiss on the cheek and I do the same.
“Love you too.”
I climb out of her car exhausted, sore and feeling beat up from head to toe. The trek up the two flights of stairs to my apartment takes every bit of energy that I have. I dig in my clutch for my keys as I climb up the last few steps while letting all of my tension out in a bitter sigh. I should’ve known better. I swallow the lump in my throat and nearly trip on the last stair when I look up from my clutch. Blake’s standing outside my apartment.
He’s holding a leather jacket in his right hand while leaning his back against my door. A white t-shirt is stretched tight across his chiseled chest and that tattoo running from his neck down his arm is on full display. Standing next to him with his corded, muscular arms crossed is Maddox. The two of them stare back at me with small grins playing on their gorgeous faces. My heart leaps up my throat, suffocating me. The chill leaves my skin as my body heats up and my blood starts pumping with desire.
I part my lips to speak but Blake kicks off the door and strides toward me. He’s so fucking intimidating, I almost take a step back.
“Uh uh, my little hellcat.” His arm wraps around my shoulders before slowly slipping to my waist as he walks me to my door. “If you thought you were in trouble before, you’re in for one hell of a surprise.”
“You should’ve known better than to take off, kitten,” Maddox reprimands me before taking my key from my hand and unlocking my door.
