“Class dismissed. Laura, please hang back a second,” Mrs. Lang announces to the room.
Everyone immediately packs their things while trying to look around to see who Laura is. I give them a minute to get going before I head down the steps to her desk.
“What can I do for you?” I ask her politely.
She leans comfortably back in her chair. “You are doing exceptionally well in my class.”
I flush at her compliment. I work my ass off for my grades. “Thank you.”
She sits forward, crossing her hands on her desk. “I’m quite involved in the community, and I have an opportunity I think you might be interested in.”
I’m definitely intrigued. “Okay, what is it?”
“An acquaintance of mine at The Crooked Spine wants to hire someone local for some marketing work. He gave me the task of finding someone for it. They need someone to design a marketing plan for this next year. It would be a paid temporary position, and you could work remotely from home. It would only require about eight hours a week from you at the most. Do you think you’d be interested?”
I think my jaw is on the floor by the time she’s done. The Crooked Spine is a bookstore company that spans the US. But our location just opened up. I attended their opening just last month. It would be amazing for my résumé. And it would just be plain fun, and it’s exactly what I want to do after school.
I nod my head as I finally get ahold of my tongue. “Yes. That would be amazing. Thank you so much for thinking of me.”
She smiles at me. “Of course. I will have him email you.” She quickly jots down the contact info and hands me the sticky note. “Have a good weekend, Laura.”
I take the slip from her, unable to contain the grin on my face. “Thank you so much.”
Once I leave the room, I fumble to get my phone out of my pocket as fast as I can. I want to tell Char right away even though I’ll see her in minutes because she’s picking me up.
She answers on the first ring. “Sup, babe?”
“Guess what just happened!” The words practically squeak out of me.
“What? Out of the way, asshole!” she shouts way too loud into the phone. “Sorry about that. I swear this person is doing, like, five miles an hour.”
I can’t help but laugh at her. “Dear God, Char, you have more road rage than Josh, and that’s saying something.”
“Ugh, whatever.” I can practically see her roll her eyes. “What happened? Wait, let me guess. You ran into Cam, and you guys went at it in the elevator.”
“Funny. No. My professor recommended me for a marketing job for The Crooked Spine. It’s super-duper part-time, but it pays, and, like, it’s actually what I’m going to school for, ya know?” I bite my lip, just trying to bathe in the moment.
“Lu, that’s amazing! I’m so proud of you.” I hear her blinker click on in her car. “I’m here, north door.”
I add a little bit more juice in my step and head out of the building. “Coming.” I end the call.
I hop in the car, and—oh my gosh—we weren’t even off the phone for more than a minute, and her music is already blaring. I immediately turn it down.
“You’re no fun, Mom.” She mocks, pulling out of the lot.
Smacking her hard on the shoulder, I laugh. “Shut up, you brat. You ready for tonight?”
“Hell yes, I am. I’ve been waiting all day to get ready. Callie and Hannah are going to love our costumes tonight; we’ll be the cutest vampires around.” Excitement is oozing off of her.
“Thanks to you.” If she hadn’t been amazing and done all the shopping, I’d probs be stuck, wearing whatever I could pull from the back of my closet.
“It’s what I’m here for.” She blows me an air kiss.
We talk the rest of the way home about how we should do our hair. She also fills me in on her and Reed. They went on a date last night, and apparently, he is quite the romancer.
I’m happy for her. She deserves nothing but the best.
We pull into the driveway seconds before Josh and Jack pull in behind us. Josh picks him up from school because his schedule is open. I buy him extra ice cream and snacks to make up for it.
But I know he really does it for Jack. Uncle Josh loves that boy as much as I do.
Jack slams his door and takes off for me. “Mom!”
He barrels into me, and I feel nothing but absolute love for my boy.
“Hey, little man. How was school?”
He wraps his hand around mine and leads me inside, telling me all about kindergarten. “Today, we went over more spelling stuff; it wasn’t very fun. But Erick was helping me a lot.”
Erick is Jack’s best friend. He just spent the night last weekend, and I swear the boys didn’t get a minute of sleep.
“I can help you, too, if you want. I’m pretty good at spelling.” I squeeze his warm hand.
“Yeah, okay.” He shrugs and bolts up the stairs to his room.
I lean backward over the couch and fall back against the cushions, landing with a soft thud. I close my eyes and revel in the one moment of calm I will have today.
I scoot fully onto the couch and tuck one of the pillows under my head. Before I know it, one minute turns to five, which turns to ten and then turns to sleep.
My shoulder is shaking, but I don’t want to get up yet. My shoulder moves again.
“Get up, or I’m dragging you off this couch.”
Since when did my subconscious sound like Charlotte?
My shoulders move again, and then I’m flying. And when I land, it hurts, and reality floods my vision.
“Oww.” My voice is all sleepy.
Charlotte is standing over me in her robe with her hair wrapped in a towel. “I warned you.” She shrugs and heads to the stairs. “You’ve got an hour.”
Ugh, work.
Don’t get me wrong; I really like Fireflies, but I could’ve stayed in that nap forever. I haven’t napped that deeply in a long time.
I drag my sleepy self upstairs and head to my room to start getting ready.
I grab the tight leather leggings and long-sleeved black crop top. Digging through my new box of props and random stuff for costumes, I pull out the red contacts and knee-high black boots.
After spending the next forty-five minutes curling my hair and doing my makeup, I squeeze myself into the leather leggings, scared I might never be able to get them off.
I finish my look with a red lip to match the red contacts. Honestly, I look hot.
I adjust my top tighter to keep the girls a little more secure, but boy, are they popping in this shirt. Let’s see if I can pull four hundred in tips tonight.
I really don’t know how we both got lucky enough to get a job at this club. It’s the hottest one in town, and everyone applies there. And people rarely leave because the money is insane, especially on the weekends.
I meet Charlotte downstairs in the kitchen. While she talks with Josh, I turn to see Jack watching some cartoons in the living room. My big flannel jacket covers me all up while I walk up to Jack and give him a big kiss on the forehead, red lipstick and all.
He writhes away. “Ugh, Mom! There’s stuff on your lips!”
He cringes and tries to wipe it off, but I can’t help but giggle. I lick my thumb and quickly get it off his face before it sets.
“Be good for Josh. I love you.” I blow him a kiss, and he leans up and fake catches it.
“You love me, even in the rain?” he asks me, our habitual routine rolling off his tongue.
“Even in the storm.” I smile.
With that, he turns his attention back to the cartoons.
I remember the day we started that. It was after Mom went into a coma, and Jack went with me to visit her for the first time. It was pouring rain, and the sky was a thousand hues of gray.
He’s scared of lightning, like most kids. And when I told him that Grandma and I loved him, no matter what, he asked me if I’d still love him, even when it rained, even when it was scary. I thought it was silly at the time, but now, it’s just become our little routine. And I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
When we get to Fireflies, Char and I head in the employee door, clock in, and put all of our stuff away. The last few shifts we had were all about mixing drinks and memorizing the menu. We are mostly still serving and billing tonight, but we get to help make some drinks for the first time.
We meet up with the rest of the crew at the bar to help finish setting up, and before we know it, the lights are off, and people are pouring in.
By the end of the night, I have a little over four hundred and fifty dollars in my apron and the biggest smile on my face. No creeps tonight, which was great. And we pulled in huge tips. Everyone made out really well.
Char and I are the last to leave, so we offer to finish wiping down. When we are finally leaving, it’s a little past three a.m. Claude walks us to her car, leading the way.
He stops abruptly, causing me to crash into his back, which feels an awful lot like a brick wall.
I step out around him, but he puts his arm out to stop me from going forward.
“Who are you?” His voice booms out to someone ahead of us.
I finally manage to get around the telephone pole–sized arm of his. And when I do, I can’t help the flutters setting ablaze in my stomach and chest.
“It’s okay, Claude. I know him,” I reassure him before he walks off.
Char giggles behind me.
Leaning against his motorcycle is Alec himself. He is grinning ear to ear when I finally meet his gaze.
I walk up to him with a thousand questions on the tip of my tongue, but not a word will come out. I’m scared once I start, I won’t stop.
He sets the helmet he’s holding on the seat before taking a step toward me. “Sorry to just show up. Reed said you guys were working tonight. And I wanted to see you. So, I thought I’d offer you a ride home. If you want it, of course.”
He smiles, and his gaze drops to my open jacket. He wets his bottom lip. “You’re gorgeous, Lu. I mean, you always were, but now … whew, absolutely beautiful.” He holds my stare the whole time.
I want to say, Find another girl to break.
Spinning on my heels, I have every intention to run off. But my body has something else in mind. It ignites from his words, and I can still feel the caress from his eyes. I spin back around to face him, wanting to smack myself.
Words are still struggling to come out. It’s really annoying how easy they seem to be for him. “Um, thank you.”
My eyes fall to his open leather bomber jacket. He’s wearing a plain white T-shirt underneath it. But boy, I didn’t know that could look so good. I can see how he fills it out, and I can’t imagine what he looks like without it.
Ever been disgusted with yourself?
He clears his throat. It’s hard to believe this is the same boy I loved so many years ago.
“How about that ride?” He smirks.
One thing hasn’t changed. That smirk of his still melts me to the core. Dammit. But this is all we’ll ever be—short sentences and longing.
I turn to see if Charlotte is waiting in her car. But when I look, there are no other cars in the lot.
Oh my God, that little bitch left me. Oh, she’s going to hear about this later.
Well, it looks like I’m walking.
I pull my coat around my waist. “Look, Alec, I agreed to catch up, and I am still willing to. But not tonight. Thanks for the offer, but I’m okay. I’m just gonna walk; it’s only a few blocks.” More like ten. I on my heel and start heading home.
He brings the bike to life, and I hear him catching up to me.
“Laura, you can’t be serious. There is no way in hell I’m letting you walk home. Especially alone in that damn outfit.”
What did he just say?
I slam my foot on the ground and abruptly turn around, and stomp up to him where he has stopped the bike. “Excuse me?” I shove my finger in his face. “One, you have no right when it comes to my choices. Two, if I want to walk home, I will. Because that is my decision. And three, keep your opinion of my outfit to yourself.”
I take off again, trying to leave him behind. The engine growls.
Fuck.
“Laura, come on. That’s not what I meant. I’m sorry. Just let me take you home. Please,” he pleads with me.
I remain silent, continuing my strut home.
“Laura, come on.” He keeps pace with me. “I just want you to get home safe, that’s all. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened because I rode off.”
“I can get home by myself, Alec, I’ve been doing it for quite a while. Thank you.” I stumble a step. If it wasn’t for this pent-up, boiling anger inside me, I would give in to the throbbing pain in my feet right now.
“Whatever, Lu. Get on the bike; don’t get on the bike. I’m still going to be here the whole way back to your house.” I can hear the annoyance growing in his voice.
But I don’t care right now.
We walk the next thirty or so feet in silence when the first drop hits my cheek.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I keep walking, pretending I didn’t feel it. But I can only do that for about another five more feet before the heavens split open and rain begins pouring down on us.
When the first strike of lightning hits, I jump a little.
He rides ahead of me, parks the bike, and hops up onto the sidewalk, blocking my path. “If you don’t get on this damn bike right now, I’ll put you there myself.” He stalks up to me with the helmet in his hand. “I’m wet, annoyed, and pissed the fuck off that you won’t just let me help you. I just want to get you home safe—that’s it. Stop making this so hard.” He drops the helmet in the grass and thrusts his hands through his hair. “Laura, for fuck’s sake, get on the bike.”
The rain has completely saturated my coat and down through my shirt, which is now stuck to me.
I’m about to shout no at him. Then, the first water drop soaks into my panties, and my resolve begins to fade.
The wetness quickly spreads, and the decision is made. I stalk over to the helmet, snatch it off the ground, and stomp my feet over to the bike, waiting for him.
He throws his hand up and stretches his leg over the bike, sitting down. “Thank God. What’s the address?”
I tell him, and he types it into his phone as I settle in behind him. I can’t help but giggle at how much I got under his skin.
I place my hands on his shoulders and wait for him to pull off.
He twists, shifting to see me. “Now, I know you’re smarter than that. Hold on to me like your life depends on it. Because, well, it does.” He turns back around, revving the engine.
Lifting my arms up, I wrap them around his torso, feeling every solid muscle and mound. Dear God, this boy spends some time on the ice.
Not a second later, he gives it some gas, and we shoot forward. My arms instinctively tighten, and I can feel him let out a deep breath. My thighs are practically squeezing the life out of his hips.
The air whips around us, and it’s refreshing and calming. Definitely needed after that heated argument. It’s almost grounding, feeling the wind and the world around us as we ride.
I lean my head against his back, letting myself pretend for a second that this is my life. Alec is my boyfriend; we are going home to our son, and we are in love. That my mom is okay and we aren’t swimming in debt. That life is perfect.
I take deep breaths, letting the cool air cleanse me.
As fast as the ride started, it seems to have ended even quicker. We pull into the driveway, and the living room lights are on, letting me know Char is most likely ready to interrogate me when I get inside.
Alec kills the engine and rests the bike on the kickstand, helping me off. Taking the helmet off, I shake some of the mess out of my hair. Which does nothing to the wet strands stuck to my face.
Alec quickly reaches out and swipes them out of the way. “Thanks for letting me bring you home tonight, Lu.” He steps back, letting me lead the way to the door.
I hand the helmet over to him. “Thanks for bringing me.” I smile at him, trying to keep as much animosity in my tone as I can.
He steps onto the porch and a gentle warm glow is cast over him from the light. Goddammit, his cheekbones are carved out of stone.
He’s fidgeting with the helmet when he opens his mouth. “Um, tonight really didn’t go as planned. And I still would really like to talk sometime if you’re up for it.” He glances at the bike.
Regardless of how the night went, we do still need to talk. About a lot of things.
“Yeah.”
“Really?” A spark of hope lights in his eyes, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t affect me.
“Yes. Meet me at Nikki’s tomorrow at noon. Don’t be late.”
Without another word, he leans down, and his soft, full lips press the sweetest kiss to my cheek. His kiss grazes the very edge of my lips, and a shiver rolls down my back.
A need and desire I haven’t felt in years reignites in my veins.
Ugh. You hate him. You hate him.
He pulls away just enough to speak low into my ear. “By the way, when I was talking about your outfit, I meant that you are the sexiest woman, and in that top and those tight leggings and boots, no man would be able to resist you. Especially me. Good night, Laura. See you tomorrow.” He shakes his head as he walks away.
Turning inside, feeling like I got whiplash from how this night has been going.
Walking into the living room, I lock eyes with Charlotte, who is pigging out on a bag of chips.
I head upstairs, mentally exhausted from the day.
“Hey, Laura!” she shouts to me. She doesn’t wait for me to respond. “You’re fucking welcome.”
