It helps that Causey’s a good guy, easy to get along with, and I try my hardest to ignore the way he looks at my sister. Not in the way the other creeps did, more in awe. He has a major crush on her; she keeps the flirting light, and at first, he didn’t strike me as her type. With dirty blond cropped hair and blue eyes, there is no air of danger about him. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing, but Meghan has always gone for the bad boy. Look how well that has turned out in the past. But after that morning in the apartment … I don’t know. She plays it cool when he comes into the diner, but I’ve caught her looking at him a few times with more than friendly interest in her eyes.
Word spreads around about the new arrivals. According to Peggy, the diner is busier than normal as news of the hot new waitress travels through the town like wildfire. Meghan assures me it will calm down, but Peggy arches an eyebrow and smiles knowingly. Causey insists on going to the diner for lunch every day, glaring at the other guys who flirt with her. He is always there at closing time, too, making sure she’s not on her own. Yesterday, he had me help him install new security lights around the back of the diner and just outside our front door. The whole time he grumbled about how it wasn’t safe, but it’s not my safety that concerns him.
During lunch on Friday, Meghan teases me about the local girls that have come into the diner while Causey and I have been having lunch. I’ve been trying my best ignore their looks and their giggles. The braver ones smile or say ‘Hi’ before tucking strands of hair behind their ears. Meghan smirks at me each time and gives me a knowing look. Every time she does, I glare at her. I’m not interested in any of them and I haven’t seen the only girl who has sparked my interest since the day we arrived. Perhaps, it’s time I paid a visit to Hank’s Auto Shop, but then I remember I don’t have any money. Maybe if I win this race on Saturday, I can take the GTO in. My heart sinks a little when I think about not seeing her until then.
• • •
When Causey asks me to work on Saturday morning, I readily agree. It keeps me busy, and my mind off racing tonight. And I don’t have time to think about Leigh Storm, who has been on my mind more and more. I haven’t seen her again since the day we arrived and although I felt something when I looked at her I wonder if I even featured on her radar. But by Saturday night, my nerves are wreaking havoc with my ability to sit still. Annoyed with my fidgeting, Meghan peers over her gossip magazine at me. She has some green shit on her face and her hair is wound up in a towel.
“What’s up with you?”
“Nothing. Restless.” I tap my fingers on my thighs.
“Go out and burn it off. See if there is anyone your age in town,” she murmurs from behind the magazine.
“Good idea.” I jump up and stride to the door.
“Max,” she calls, stopping me in my tracks.
“Yeah.” I turn to look at her. She drops her magazine and looks more relaxed than I’ve seen her in a long time. There is no tension across her shoulders, and she doesn’t look as tired as she normally does. The lines that creased her forehead have smoothed out.
“Stay out of trouble.”
“Will do, sis.” I jog over and kiss the top of her head, surprising myself as much as her.
Causey and another guy are already waiting outside in the parking lot for me and I run down the stairs. They stand next to the Subaru and a Chevy truck.
“Max.” Causey throws an arm around my shoulders, drawing me closer.
“Hey.” I greet them both.
“This is Ryder, my cousin.” He points to a slightly shorter version of himself who nods at me. I lift my hand in a small wave.
“Hear you’re racing tonight?” Ryder asks.
“Seems that way.” I shrug in nonchalance but can’t fight the grin tugging at the corners of my lips.
“You race?” I ask him.
“Sometimes.”He reaches up and rubs the back of his neck.
“He’s banned.” Causey chips in with a grin.
“Banned?” I echo.
“Fuck off, Causey.” He laughs good-naturedly.
“His mom won’t let him race. She took his keys. “I stifle a laugh as Ryder punches Causey in the bicep, or tries to but Causey dances out the way.
“No one messes with his mom,” Causey says, growing serious. “We’ll take two cars. For when you win.” Causey winks and Ryder laughs. I get the feeling I’m missing some kind of inside joke here. But I go along with them and climb into Causey’s Subaru with Ryder while Causey gets behind the wheel of the truck.
“Why’re you banned?” I ask Ryder as I fire up the engine.