CHAPTER29
Iblink a few times. “I didn’t know Corey has a sister.”
“Her name’s Caroline. She’s younger than us. Doesn’t go to our school. She’s an eighth grader.”
“I…” My mouth hangs open, and I return my attention to his bike even though my mind is racing again.
Yes, the guys really are all damaged, but I refuse to feel bad for Corey. Just because his life is shitty doesn't mean he should shit on my life.
It takes me another two hours, but finally, Shane’s bike is ridable again.
“You might want to have it detailed,” I say. “Where the metal bent and had to be readjusted, the paint’s worn off.”
“Yeah, yeah. Not too bad. You still think she goes from zero to sixty in no time flat?”
“You going to burn rubber? Can’t get away from me fast enough, huh?” I ask, crossing my arms. I lift my chin. We talked the entire time I worked. Nothing about me, nothing about him. A little more about Corey. Nothing about Tyler or Brett.
Shane isn’t as funny as Tyler, not as witty, but he has a dry sense of humor, and he’s smarter than he lets on.
“I’m just bummed I couldn’t get you to sit on my lap the other day,” he says, coming up real close to me.
I laugh and shove him back, not that he moves a muscle. “As if you really want an audience for that.”
His brown eyes dance. “Maybe I don’t mind if someone watches me when a beautiful woman is pleasuring me.”
“You want to film a video? I am so not your girl then.”
“Maybe.” He traces his thumb along my lips. “Maybe I can convince you.”
“If you think I’ll cave if you give me enough drinks, you’re wrong,” I say dryly.
“Oh, I never rely on alcohol to get what I want. In the end, they all cave.”
“I don’t think you know me all that well if you think I’m like most girls.”
“Oh, I know you aren’t.” He places a hand on my shoulder and then lets it drift down my front to cup my boob. His thumb sweeps across the nipple. “And you say you’ve never been horny in my presence before. What a liar.”
I swallow hard. “Before…”
“Right now, though…”
I take a big enough step backward that his hand falls away. “I should… I’m sorry. I can’t… I have to charge you for the work.”
“You can send me the bill.”
“Shane!”
He’s already on his bike and riding away.
Fucker. He had been playing me the entire time.
Why do I do this to myself? Think they’re different when I get them one-on-one? I’m fucking delusional.
* * *
At geography the next day, I hand Shane the bill. He takes one look at it and rolls his eyes.
“If you don’t pay it, I’ll have to tell my boss,” I say. “Max seems to know you.”