Page 50 of Reckless Liar

Through my windshield I watched as Xander motioned to the car, discussing where to take it. The driver handed him a paper and I saw Xander fold it up and shove it into his wallet. Sauntering back to me he motioned for me to get out.

“Okay, they’re going to take the car to the shop. I’ll take you home.”

I looked back at the tow truck, the driver working with the large metal hook. “But don’t I need to sign something, or pay or anything?”

“I got that stuff. We’ll figure it out later.” He rested a hand on the small of my back and led me away to his truck. I tried to not smile at the use of the word‘we,’but failed.

Back at the apartment, I came to the sad realization that when it came to Xander, it’d be hard work keeping my wits about me. I wasn’t sure what came over me whenever he was around, but all reason seemed to leave.

I blanched as I thought about how I acted in my car. I made out with Xander in a broken-down car on the side of the road, and I liked it. It didn’t matter that my emergency brake was digging into my stomach as I kissed him. It didn’t matter that he needed to get back to work. It didn’t matter that his employee was only feet away probably watching everything we were doing.

It didn’t matter that if it all went wrong, I’d lose my best friend, and I still wasn’t over what happened last year. In that moment all I wanted was Xander’s lips on mine, his hands on my skin, and his breath at my ear. I wanted more—more than he could give, more than I could ever ask for.

Chapter twenty

“I've never really thought about Xander like that.” -Ana, age seventeen

Xanderlookedatthecart, then back at the list in his hand. “I forgot the ketchup. I’ll be right back, wait here.”

I leaned against the cart, pulling my phone out while he ran to the next aisle. Another cart started down the aisle and I moved out of the way, not glancing at the other shopper until they stopped beside me.

“Ana?” I looked up to see Troy standing in front of me, still wearing a suit, obviously just off work.

“Oh, hi Troy,” I stammered.

He smiled at me, shaking his head. “What are the chances! I was just thinking about you.” He laughed. “I was about to call you when I got home tonight.”

I set my phone back in my purse and turned to him surprised. I had thought I’d scared him away for sure. “Really? Because I didn’t hear from you after we went out. And it’s totally cool, I get it. I was a little…” I whistled and waved my finger around my ear. “You know. I didn’t think I was going to hear from you again.”

He blushed and looked away, embarrassed. “No, nothing like that. I’m a little ashamed to be honest. Could I take you to coffee sometime? Explain myself for being such an ass?”

I hesitated, looking down the aisle for Xander. “I don’t know...”

“Look, I get it. I said I’d call and then I didn’t. I swear, I’m not that kind of guy. Let me buy you a cup of coffee. One cup, is all I’m asking.”

I chewed on my lower lip, considering him. Xander rounded the corner and saw me talking to Troy. He narrowed his eyes at us but didn’t say anything as he saddled up to me.

“What’s up, man?” Xander asked, putting his hand out. “Alexander Eberhardt.”

Troy took his hand and shook it, grimacing slightly at what was likely Xander’s overly strong grip.

“Troy McConnell.” He cocked his head to the side. “Wait, Alexander, like Xander, you’re the roommate, right? Ana told me about you.” His face relaxed slightly as the apparent threat seemed to disappear.

“Something like that,” Xander replied, his jaw tight.

They stood there, quietly staring each other down for a moment. After a long awkward moment, I took the ketchup from Xander’s hand and threw it in the cart. “We should get going if we’re going to make it to the party,” I told Xander.

His narrowed eyes moved from the clueless Troy back to me. “Yeah, we should.” He glanced back at Troy. “Good to meet you, man.”

“Same,” Troy replied. “Ana, I’ll give you a call about that coffee, alright?”

Before I could tell him no, Troy pushed his cart along, leaving us alone in the aisle.

Xander turned to face me, both hands on the cart in front of me. “What was that all about?”

“Nothing. He wanted to meet up for coffee and explain why he never called me.”

“Did you say yes?” he asked incredulous.

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