Tempting Rowan(18)
He was right. I couldn’t refute it. I had liked kissing him.
“That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again,” I countered.
“Why do you insist on denying what we have? Are you really that stubborn?” He narrowed his eyes. “I know you feel it,” he whispered, stepping so close to me that my nose was pressed against his chest and his warmth enveloped me like a cozy blanket. His hand found mine, entwining our fingers together. “Don’t fight it.”
I jerked back, wrenching my hand from his. Disgust coated my tongue like a sticky syrup. “I can’t do this, Trenton.”
“What is it exactly that you think you can’t do?” He pressed forward. He wasn’t going to let me escape. I wished Trace would rescue me, but he was occupied in looking my car over.
I swallowed thickly, my pulse jumping. “I don’t think you understand what I’ve been through,” my voice was hushed with shame. “I’m…incapable of loving. Not just you, but anyone. The only people I love is my little brother and sister. It’s like some fundamental piece of me is missing,” I spoke fiercely, getting heated. “I’m. Not. Whole.”
He took my face between his two large hands, staring down at me with a determined glint in his blue eyes. I swallowed thickly, my pulse fluttering in my throat. I thought for sure he was going to kiss me, but he didn’t. “Then let me make you whole.”
I was saved from answering by his brother calling us over. Thank goodness I hadn’t had to reply. I don’t know what I would’ve said, probably something not very nice.
“Bad news, it’s not the battery,” Trace frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “Your starter’s gone out. It’s going to be about two-hundred dollars to have it fixed.”
Tears stung my eyes and I promptly closed my eyes so neither of the brothers could see how upset I was. I counted to ten, breathing deeply. When I had myself under control again I opened my eyes and said, “Tow it. It has to be fixed. I don’t have any other choice.”
“Row—”
“I’m fine,” I snapped, cutting Trent off. “It’s fine.”
He appeared skeptical, but didn’t say anything.
I went back inside the store while the brothers got my car hooked onto the back. I couldn’t help and I was freezing anyway.
When they had it hooked up I was forced to get in the truck with them. I sat in the middle, caged in, and I began to feel extremely claustrophobic. “Can you drop me off at the university?” I asked.
“Sure,” Trace shrugged. “Will you have a ride home?”
“Yeah.” I knew I could get either Tatum or Jude to drive me to work and pick me up.
“I’ll try to have this done tomorrow. I have everything I need to fix it, it’s just a matter of how much time I have,” he explained.
“If you could have it done today it would be so helpful. I always take my little brother and sister to school in the mornings, and we don’t have a spare car,” I rambled.
“It’ll be done today,” Trent assured me, leaning forward to eye his brother. “Today,” he repeated.
Trace didn’t say anything, he merely leaned his elbow against the window, and a small smile played on his lips. Clearly his brother amused him.
Trace pulled into the parking lot and I directed him to where I needed to be dropped off. Trent hopped out of the truck and reached up to give me a hand to help me down. A part of me didn’t want to accept his hand, but I didn’t have much choice if I wanted to get out of the mammoth truck without breaking an ankle. I finally placed my hand in his, after an awkward hesitation. I forced myself to ignore the tiny zings coursing through my body at his touch.
I jumped down, stumbling to the side.
“Whoa,” he grabbed my waist to steady me. “You okay?”
I nodded, embarrassment causing my cheeks to flush.
He reached inside the truck for my backpack and handed it to me. “I’ll make sure he gets it done today. Even if I have to hold a gun to his head,” he winked.
“Thanks,” I forced a smile, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “I really have to go. I’m already late.”
“Of course,” he climbed back in the truck. “See you later.”
“See you later,” I whispered, standing there and watching the truck disappear.
Tatum’s car was still being fixed, so luckily Jude was nice enough to be my chauffeur for the day. He pulled into the parking lot of Wentworth Wheels, and I took a deep breath as I prepared to see Trent again. This many times in only a few days was getting to be a bit much—especially since I hated how much I enjoyed seeing him. “I’m gonna head out,” Jude said, already putting the car in reverse, “if for some reason it’s not ready, just call me and I’ll come back.”