Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“You’ve tried to get through the driving segment.”
I wince as if slapped before squeezing my eyes tight. “I know, but I’ll actually go through with it this time, all right? Just…don’t sell the Porsche.” I suck in a painful breath. “Please.”
“Are you sure? Maybe it would be better to get rid of the damn thing and be done with it.”
“No, I want it. You promised.”
“All right,” he says with a sigh. “We’ll hang onto it for a little longer, but if you don’t get your license by the end of spring semester, we’re putting it up for sale.”
“Okay.” The tension filling my muscles drains away, leaving me to feel limp. “Thank you.”
A suffocating silence falls over the line. All I can think about is getting off the phone.
“I need to go. I’ve got some homework to finish up for tomorrow.”
“Let us know what happens with the tuition bill.”
“I will.”
We say our goodbyes before hanging up. Relief courses through me as I end the call. That emotion is quickly chased away by guilt.
Instead of dwelling on everything my parents just revealed, I focus on my breathing.
Deep breath in.
Slow breath out.
Repeat.
It feels like the walls are closing in on me. I need to get out of here before I totally lose it. Snagging my backpack from the chair next to my desk, I head for the door. As soon as I yank the handle, I find Viola in the cramped hallway and ground to a halt over the threshold. My gaze slices from my cousin to Madden, who hovers over her with his hands wrapped possessively around her shoulders.
They both look mussed up, making the reason they’ve been locked away in her room even more obvious.
Color stains Vi’s cheeks as she mutters, “I suppose you heard all that.”
I didn’t think there was anything that could make me smile after the depressing conversation with my parents, but I was wrong.
That forced-out comment does the trick.
My lips tremble at the corners as Madden flashes a smug grin from behind her. “Vi will be sure to give you a heads-up next time.”
My cousin twists around to glare at her boyfriend before whacking him on the chest. “Keep it up, and there won’t be one.”
Chapter 12
Wolf
The moment Fallyn steps out of her building, she spots my Mustang idling in the parking lot and momentarily falters. Her eyes narrow before she rips them away and continues walking at a brisker pace.
Just as she’s about to stalk past, I lean over and pop open the passenger side door. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride to work.”
“I don’t need one,” she snaps. “I’m more than capable of walking.”
“Come on, Fallyn,” I cajole. “It’s at least a mile, and your shift starts in twenty minutes. That’s barely enough time to get there.” Then I add the clincher. “You don’t want to be late on your first day, do you?”
She stops and glares, crossing her arms tightly against her chest. “How do you know my schedule?”
“I called and asked Sully.”
Her eyes widen. “And he just gave it to you?”
Even though I know it’ll piss her off, I can’t help the grin that trembles around the corners of my mouth. “Yup. Just one of the perks of knowing the owner.”
“He shouldn’t be giving out my personal information.” Her upper lip curls as her eyes narrow further until they’re slits. “Especially to you.”
“Did you forget that we’re old friends? Of course he gave it to me. I’m the reason he hired you on the spot, after all.”
“Don’t remind me,” she grumbles, gaze drifting over the interior of the vehicle before dropping to my right hand. Emotion flickers across her face as she steps closer to get a better look. “Your car is a stick?”
“Sure is,” I say with a snort. “What would be the point of driving it if it weren’t?”
Her teeth scrape across her lower lip as I carefully study her expression. I have no idea what thoughts are racing through her brain. There used to be a time when it only took a fleeting glance in her direction to know exactly what she was thinking.
That’s no longer the case, and I fucking hate it.
Her private thoughts are now inscrutable.
A long silence follows as her brow furrows and her jaw tightens. “I need a favor.”
From me?
Every muscle goes on high alert. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
Her gaze flickers from my hand to my face. That’s all it takes for electricity to zip through my veins. I’m like a high-strung racehorse straining impatiently against its bit.
“I need you to teach me how to drive a stick shift.”
“Get in the car and we’ll discuss it.”
She steps from one foot to the other, obviously reluctant to get any closer. “Can’t you just give me an answer?”
“Nope. Get in.”
If this is the only way to spend a little time with her, I’ll happily pounce on it. I just want to be close to her. Breathe the same air, if only for five minutes.