Alissa sits up slowly and blinks her eyes a few times. “Where are we?” She looks around in confusion.
“Not the best part of town, but a nice place to live in nonetheless. Come on, chickie. Up and at ‘em.”
She gets out kind of awkwardly, but by using my shoulder is able to stand up straight outside the car. “Rebel Wheels,” she says, staring at the sign.
“Teagan’s boyfriend is Rebel. He’s the strong, silent type, so don’t expect any stimulating conversation out of him. He lives above the shop in an apartment with Teagan. For now you have their couch, and soon when they move out, a bedroom of your own.”
Her chin quivers.
“Nope!” I point at her face, panic seizing my heart. “No crying!”
“I can’t stay here,” she says softly. She swallows a few times and seems to get control over her emotions.
I frown at her, trying to scold her into not being silly anymore. “Of course you can.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t be a burden.”
I sigh loudly, letting my annoyance pay her a visit. “Being a burden is making me worry about your pregnant ass. You told us your parents kicked you out, right? Or did I imagine that?”
“No, you didn’t imagine it. They did.”
“And the dorm is closing for the summer for painting and roof repairs, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you don’t have any money for a hotel anymore…”
“Thanks for that reminder of how much my life sucks,” she says, finally looking at me.
I grin big. “You’re welcome. Now, follow me.” I take her by the arm and part-lead, part-drag her over to the entrance. “Teagan works down here in the office. Don’t touch her files or she’ll eat your fingers off.” We pass through the office and go over to the stairs. “This is the inner sanctum of muscle car awesomeness. Don’t touch anything in here or Rebel will chew your butt out and since he hardly ever talks, you can imagine how devastating that would be.” At the top of the stairs I point to the two doors in the upper hallway. “That first door is your place. That second door leads into the lair of the dragon. Do not even go near there. Do not talk to the dragon. If the dragon tries to engage you in conversation, do not respond. And whatever you do, do not, under any circumstances, look the dragon in the eye.” I give her my serious eyebrows.
She looks scared. “The dragon?”
The door to Colin’s apartment flies open and he steps out into the hall, dressed in workout gear with earbuds dangling from one ear. His muscles couldn’t be any more out there for us to enjoy. I roll my eyes. He knows exactly what he’s going to do to any woman or gay man seeing him at that gym.
Alissa looks up and her expression goes from surprised to shocked to goo-goo, all in about two seconds.
I yank on her arm and speak in a growling whisper. “I told you not to look at the dragon!”
“Who’s this?” Colin asks as he walks up to us. He’s all effortless charm, giving Alissa the kind of smile that stops hearts. He is so dangerous. I’m seriously worried about her going into labor right now. If she sees his painting skills, she’s done for.
I put my shoulders back to assert my position of power. “This is a young lady who does not wish to talk to you.” I push her towards Rebel’s apartment and assert myself between them. I hope to block her view of his glory so she doesn’t do something stupid and fall in love with him. She already has enough on her plate, and I’m pretty positive guys like Colin are not into pregnant girls.
Alissa looks quickly at the ground, her face so pink she looks like she’s about to burst into flames.
“Hello, young lady who does not wish to talk to me. I’m Colin.”
As the door is shutting in his face, thanks to the quick maneuvers of my right heel, Alissa answers.
“Nice to meet you too … Dragon.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I DON’T KNOW WHY I expect my life to be easy peasy. Nothing ever goes as planned.
“Who’s this?” Mick asks as I walk into the family room with Alissa next to me.
Arranging my face to look as cool as possible, I gesture to the couch. “Go ahead and have a seat, Alissa. Rebel and Teagan will be right up.”
She looks at Mick with a tiny smile and then follows my orders.
“Mick, this is Alissa. Alissa, this is Mick. He’s Rebel’s brother.”