Supercharged Love(8)

“Saturday night, you’re racing.” Causey wags his finger at me.

“What?” My eyes grow wide.

“You heard me.” He smiles and my brain can’t keep up with him, especially as getting my car to the garage is the second thing on my to-do list, right after getting a job.

“But … my GTO… ”

“You can use this.” He shrugs, offering up his car like it’s no big deal.

I start to shake my head, a mixture of refusal and disbelief. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” he says, his tone firm. “You’re racing in this.” A grin spreads over his face and his eyes glint with excitement.

“If you’re sure-” I start, but his determined nod stops me from protesting further.

“I am.”He leans back in the passenger seat and folds his arms over his chest.

“You can’t tell Meghan,” I blurt out, “She would freak.” I don’t know how long I’ll manage to keep this a secret, but I’m going to try.

“Nuh-uh. No way in hell I’ll tell Sugar.”

I turn to face him, confused this time. “Sugar?”

“Yeah, your sister.” His smile stretches wider.

“Really? Sugar?”

“Her hair is like spun sugar.” And he gets this funny look in his eyes and stares off into the distance.

And then it dawns on me, all those looks and questions. “For fuck’s sake, Causey. You like her.”

“Sure, I do.” He pauses for a second. “Tell you what. Convince her to go out with me and you can use the Subaru. We’re even.”

I laugh, if he thinks Meghan will listen to me give her advice on her love life, he has another thing coming. “No problem. I’ll try my best.” I continue to chuckle as I start the drive home.





Chapter Four




The next morning, Causey is at the apartment bright and early. He doesn’t waste any time. When I hear their laughter travel through from the kitchen, I spring out of bed. Both of them look up when I pad into the kitchen to fix myself some breakfast. Meghan is on her way to work, dressed in her new waitress uniform.

“Max.” Causey greets me with a big smile and open arms. For a second, I worry he’s going to hug me; fortunately, he doesn’t move.

“Hey,” I mumble, not really being a morning person and concentrate on making a bowl of cereal.

“I need to get to work,” Meghan says, and I nod but she’s not directing her words at me; she’s looking at Causey. “See you later,” she says in a quiet voice and they stand and look at each other, wanting to say more but knowing they have an audience. This is getting interesting, and I perk up. Watching them over my bowl, I lean against the breakfast bar.

“So …” Causey murmurs. He hasn’t taken his eyes off her.

“So …” Meghan replies as she stares back. For fuck’s sake, we’ve only been here a day.

“Work,” I call out, my mouth full of cereal, reminding her where she’s going. Meghan jerks to look at me, her cheeks a little flushed, and hurries out of the apartment. Weird, my sister never blushes or gets flustered. What in the hell is happening here? I know he likes her, but I’m beginning to think the feeling is mutual. Meghan normally plays it cool while they fall head over heels in love with her. But she was anything but cool with Causey.

Even after she leaves, Causey stands staring at the space she occupied, wearing the same look on his face as last night.

“So …” I mimic. It does the trick, and he snaps out of whatever trance he was in. Striding across the room, he hoists himself onto one of the stools at the breakfast bar and rests his elbow on it.

“What are you doing today?”

“Dunno.” I shrug and shovel more cereal into my mouth. “Suppose I should find a job.”

A grin spreads across his face. “You’re in luck. I need help with a house my dad is building. We’ve only just started, so it will be long term. You interested?”

I can’t help but stare at him. He hardly knows me, and he’s just offered me a job, sure, he has the hots for my sister, but I think it’s more than that. How have we managed to not only land an apartment but work as well? Maybe Meghan was right when she said she had a good feeling about this place.

“Sure.” I smile up at him. “Sounds great, thanks.”

Causey beams at me and takes the bowl out of my hands. “Cool. Now, go get dressed. We’re late.” He starts to laugh at the shocked expression on my face and shoos me out of the kitchen.



• • •



All week, Causey keeps me busy. The house they are building is huge and includes plans for a double garage separate from the house with an apartment above. Hopefully, we’ll stick around long enough for it to be finished. Meghan was excited when she came home that night and I told her I was working for Causey and his dad. It keeps me out of trouble, and I’m bringing in money. It also means that Causey has a legitimate reason to be around Meghan, which pleases him. Everybody wins.