Page 55 of Hopeless
“What?” Her voice bleeds confusion.
“The barbershop is next to the auto shop. Your truck is all fixed.”
Her fingers press into her chest. “My truck is fixed?”
“Correct. Brand new set of tires.”
“How did you get it?”
“Ordered a tow truck.”
Several beats of silence pass as I revel in the feel of the cool air blowing against my face. It’s fucking sweltering today. The kind of day that ends in a killer storm. The kind of day that has heat waves rolling just above the asphalt of the roads.
“I can’t afford this.”
“You don’t need to,” I reply. “I told you I’d take care of it. And I did.”
She just stares at me after that statement. Deep brown irises bouncing around my face, a light furrow to her brow, like I’m a puzzle she can’t quite figure out.
Because no one has ever taken care of Bailey Jansen before.
But I think it’s about time she got used to it.
Jasper’s name flashes across my console screen as I follow Bailey out of town and toward the ranch on her fresh set of wheels.
“Hey!” I shout as soon as I press the button.
“Hi.” I can hear the suspicion in his voice. “Why are you avoiding me?” He’s not a big, dumb hockey player. He’s a big, smart hockey player.
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“You are. You’re a terrible fucking liar for someone who supposedly worked undercover on matters of national security.”
“Jesus, did Bailey tell you to crack those jokes?”
“No. I haven’t spoken to yourfiancée.”
I bristle. “Why are you saying it like that?”
I can practically hear him shrug through the phone line. I know him so well. And he knows me so well.
“Dunno, man. Just seems weird that you completely failed to mention your engagement to me until you were announcing it everywhere.”
“Aw. Jasper, baby, don’t get all up in your feels.”
“Beau, take that shit somewhere else. My feelings aren’t hurt. What I’m telling you is I don’t buy it.”
The whoosh of air conditioning is all I hear for a few seconds as I consider my options.
“Why not?”
“That’s offensive.”
I snort. It is. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to pull one over on you.”
“For fuck’s sake, Beau. What are you up to?”
I sigh, palms twisting over the steering wheel. “Bailey needed some support. She’s trying to get outta here, and people are so damn mean to her.”
