“Excuse me?”
“I’m going to talk to Tom Anderson, and I’m betting he’ll be at the car lot.”
“You’re crazy.” She shakes her head at me.
“I don’t know what else to do. Besides, Tom seems okay. It’s just his son who gives me the creeps.”
“I’m staying in the car, especially if Zach’s there.” Beth shivers, and I know exactly how she feels. I don’t relish the idea of voluntarily having anything to do with Zach, but if that’s what I need to do, then so be it.
• • •
Tom Anderson owns a used car lot in the next town over. It’s been there since I was a child and I used to go with my dad. Tom would send some business our way, but I’ve not seen him for years. Beth pulls into a ‘visitor’ parking space and kills the engine. Her Honda is facing the showroom, and I’m guessing it’s so she can keep an eye on me even without having to come in.
“I won’t be long. If Aaron or Max calls, don’t tell them where we are,” I warn her, knowing full well that Aaron will start blowing up her phone in a couple of minutes, wondering where the hell we are and when we’re getting back with his sandwich.
“I won’t.” She reaches for my hand as I go to climb out her low-slung car. “Be careful.”
I leave her sitting, holding her phone, and make my way over to the showroom. The bell above the door buzzes, and after a minute of standing awkwardly, I see Zach walking toward me. A big sleazy smile plasters over his face, and right away, my skin starts to crawl. I hate the way his eyes slide down my body and back up again, like I’m standing there naked for him to ogle me. I have on ripped jeans and a dirty t-shirt, for fuck’s sake. I’m not competing in Miss World.
“Leigh, what can I do for you?” He walks over, and for one horrible moment, I think he’s going to take my hand, so I take a step backward. He takes the hint and his hands stay firmly at his side.
“I wanted to speak to your dad if he’s around.” I fight to keep my voice even and polite, which is a contrast to how angry I am inside.
“Come on, he’s in the office.” If he’s curious about why I’m there, he doesn’t let on, but I guess he has a good idea about what’s brought me here. And it isn’t to buy one of his shady motors.
Tom Anderson looks up from a pile of paperwork and sets his cigar down as Zach ushers me into the cramped smoke-filled office. I try my hardest not to breathe in the cigar smoke, but I can’t hold my breath any longer.
“Leigh Storm.” He greets me like a long-lost relative, when really I hardly know the man. “Long time, no see. How’s your dad?” His face drops into what I’m sure he thinks is a sympathetic face, but it’s actually more of a sneer. That bastard. I cut to the chase.
“That’s why I’m here actually. I want you to reconsider the bet.”
“Hell, no,” Zach cuts in, and I cut him down with the filthiest look I can muster.
“Zach,” his dad warns and focuses his attention back on me.
“Why would I do that?”
“He didn’t finish, he crashed and ended up in the hospital, surely that nullifies the bet.” I try to appeal to his better nature, if he has one.
“Tell you what.” Mr. Anderson picks up his cigar and starts puffing away on it. “I’ll think about what we could do. You know, try and work something out.” He smiles, but again, it’s more of a sneer, and I know when I’m being dismissed. Even though it sticks in my throat, I manage to thank him.
“I’d really appreciate it.” And I even force out a smile, which probably comes across as genuine as his.
Zach follows me out of the office and onto the lot. It is worse having him behind him because I can’t see what his beady eyes are staring at. No doubt my ass because I get a prickly sensation on my lower back.
“Leigh.” His voice stops me in my tracks and the prickling sensation travels up my spine to the back of my neck, and just like the other night, all the fine hairs stand on end. I turn and see him watching me; head tilted to the side and the way he looks at me sends a shiver through me. He steps closer, and I fight the urge to turn tail and run back to Beth’s car and tell her to floor it and drive like a bat out of hell all the way back to Max. Instead, I stand rooted to the spot, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing that he has me rattled. “I can think of one way you can pay off your dad’s debt.” Stepping closer again, he reaches out and runs a strand of my hair through his long fingers. Revulsion courses through me and I fight my gag reflex and somehow manage to speak.