Real Sexy (Real Dirty Duet #2)(20)

"You sure you're not holding that against me? That I-"

"That you picked him and not me? Nah, I've got a big enough ego that I can handle it."

"Now that, I actually believe." I hesitate but ask the question that's on the tip of my tongue, even though I know I shouldn't. "Have you heard from him?"

"Nope. I'm a little surprised about it. You?"

"No."

"That's interesting."

"Why?"

"Shit. Sorry, Rip, I gotta go. Think about what I said."

He hangs up, and I'm left wondering why it's interesting Boone hasn't contacted either of us.





13





Ripley





I slam my palms on my steering wheel.

"Why? Why would you do this today? Come on!"

My Javelin is dead. She turned over once, sputtered, and went quiet, and now I can't get her to cough up a sound. And it's not because I ran out of gas again.

"Come on, girl. Just one more time."

I turn the key and pump the gas pedal, but nothing happens.

"Shit." I rest my forehead on the wheel for a moment.

Why me?

When there are no answers, which there never are, I suck it up and climb out of the car. I have fifteen minutes to get to work, and it looks like I'm walking-and adding new car to the list of things I need to save up to buy.

With a deep breath, I shove my keys in my bag. At least my shoes are comfortable for the sake of my ankle and the long shift ahead.

When I think about my ankle, it twinges a little with each step. I've done my best to ignore it, and found that pretending it doesn't exist is the best pain relief out there.

Avoidance. Imagine that.

I'm about three blocks from Hope's apartment, walking toward Broadway, when a rumbling truck slows beside me. With a single glance, I know who it is.

He shoves the passenger door open from the inside. "Looks like you could use a ride."



       
         
       
        

Boone's familiar voice is almost enough to break me right now. Once again, things have gone to shit, and he's got a front-row seat. Great.

When I keep walking, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, the truck inches forward next to me.

"Come on, sugar. Let me help you out."

I take a deep breath and slowly release it before climbing into Boone's big black truck.

"Thanks," I say without meeting his eyes.

"I was in the neighborhood. No big deal."

Awkwardsauce . . .

I clutch my bag on my lap and stare straight out the windshield as he flips off someone who honks at him before he accelerates again. I want to ask him if the charges have been dropped, but before I can form the question, he starts talking.

"Javelin finally gave up the ghost?"

"I'm hoping it's more along the lines of a temporary setback."

Boone's gaze cuts to me. "Temporary setback. Got it. So you need me to take a look at it and see what's going on?"

That's exactly what I need, but asking for help still isn't my strong suit. Then again, I also have no idea who to call that won't rip me off. The last time she played dead, I had a guy come out and charge me four hundred dollars to tell me there was nothing he could do. I didn't have the extra money to throw away then, and I sure don't have it now.

"Do you know anyone good?"

He nods. "Best guy is down in Kentucky. He could make her run like she just rolled off the line. Actually, probably better. He did my 442."

I think of the beautiful muscle car that Boone drives, and know instantly that his guy is totally out of my budget. "How about someone close and cheap?"

"I'll find someone."

"If you don't, it's no big deal. I can handle it-"

"Yourself?" Boone finishes for me. "You're one of the most capable women I've ever met, so I'm sure you could. But sometimes, you gotta accept a little help." He nods down at my ankle, reminding me that I accepted his help before and it turned out okay.

Okay? The orgasms at his house were more than okay.

I've tried to forget how his hands felt on my body, and how his mouth-

Stop. Don't go there. My admonition doesn't help, and now my nipples are hard, and I'm pretending I'm not thinking about what it would be like if Boone put this truck in park and yanked me onto his lap.

Ahh. Stop. I shut down that line of thinking just in time for Boone to pull up behind the White Horse. I reach for the door handle of the truck.

"Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it." 

Before I can escape, he hits a button and I'm trapped. I jerk my head to look at him.

"What the hell?"

"Child locks."

"Yeah, I get that. Now let me out." To myself I add, Before I do something stupid, like throw myself at you.