“Great, just great. I can’t leave my key on the wheel.”
“No one is going to steal this piece of shit.”
“Don’t start,” she said. “This isn’t a piece of shit. It’s a damn good car.”
“Do I need to point out the obvious? It’s broken down.”
“And it’s the first time it has done it. Dad kept telling me to get it booked into the garage, but the wait is like two weeks.”
“So you haven’t gotten it checked over at all?”
She glared at him. “Why are you still here?”
“I had practice. Why are you still here?”
“I was studying.” She grabbed her bag and climbed out of the car. He watched her as she locked it. “Thanks for coming over to see me.” She tucked some hair behind her ear and turned away, about to leave. He admired her curvy ass before realizing she was walking away from him.
He cleared his throat. “I can give you a ride, you know. Drop you off at the garage to give them the keys and stuff like that.”
“Why would you do that?” she asked.
“I’m a nice guy.”
“I’m not going on a date with you.”
“I didn’t ask you again. You turned me down. It’s going to take a lot more than a ride to get me to go on a date with you.” He hated the words the moment he said them, but he needed her to relax. That wasn’t going to happen if all she saw was the negative crap.
“Fine. You’re right. A ride would be great.” She hiked her bag up onto her shoulder and she followed him across the parking lot to his car.
He opened the door for her, playing every part the gentleman. As far as he was concerned, this was totally a date. Laylah may not like it, but he was going to make sure by the end of it, he got a kiss, or something. He was forever the optimist, and that was exactly what he was going to do.
Climbing behind the wheel, he turned over his ignition, reminded her to wear a seatbelt, and took off, driving out of the school parking lot.
Not the best way to get a date, but he was a winner for a reason.
****
Laylah came out of the garage to find Blue standing beside his car, looking every single part the jock.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said.
“No problem. You want a ride home?”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
He ran fingers through his hair, and she was sure he was doing it on purpose to show off his amazing physique. She couldn’t deny that he was hot in every single way.
“You’re not putting me out, but you know, the pizza place is on the way to your place.”
“I’m not going on a date with you.”
“I know that,” he said, laughing. “But come on, give a guy a break. I’m starving. I was training and it has been a long time since lunch and I don’t have any snacks on me. I’m hungry.” He pouted at her, and she shook her head.
“This isn’t a date,” she said.
“Absolutely not. No date. I promise I won’t even pretend it has the potential to be a date.” He held his hands up in surrender and she couldn’t help but feel hungry herself.
“Okay, fine. We’ll go for pizza.”
He clapped his hands.
“No date,” she said again.
“No date.” He put his fingers to his head and saluted her.
She rolled her eyes as she walked around the car, climbing into the passenger side. “This sucks.” She’d been meaning to get her car serviced, but each time they wanted it for more than a day, she’d declined the available slot. This kind of served her right. She should have just left her car.
“It’s just pizza,” Blue said.
“No, it’s not about the pizza. Sorry. I’m just thinking about getting to school.” She didn’t mind walking, but she’d have to leave her home a little earlier. Again, not a problem at all.
“How about I pick you up?”
“It’s fine, Blue, I don’t want to put you out.”
“Babe, you don’t live that far from me. It’s not putting me out, not even for a second.”
She chuckled. “I don’t mind walking.”
“And when it’s pouring rain?”
She looked toward him. “I thought you were hungry.”
“I am, but I’m also going to make sure you don’t get sick or something. It’s important for you to stay fit and healthy.”
She stared at him. “You’re nothing like I’d expect.”
“Hopefully that’s a good thing.” He winked at her.
“I’m not sure.” She laughed. “Okay, fine. Food and you can pick me up each morning. I don’t like to be late, so please don’t make me.”
He clapped his hands together. You’re not going to regret it, I promise.” He turned over the ignition but she didn’t have the heart to tell him she already regretted it. He didn’t need to hear that.