Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“It’s that one over there,” I say, pointing at the corner gas station as we turn the corner.
The color drains from Lex’s face. “Fuck no! This is the shittiest part of North Woods, and you expect me to leave you here?” He pulls up to the curb and tosses the car into park, twisting in his seat to look at me. The rich brown locks of hair on the top of his head, which are a little longer than the hair at the sides, look incredibly soft, and I wonder if now would be a strange time to run my fingers through them. “Do you know how many times this gas station gets robbed each year?” Again, I say nothing, and he keeps shaking his head. Knowing he cares for me so much when no one has ever cared for me in my life, makes my heart squeeze tightly in my chest. “No, no. You’re not working here anymore,” Lex’s voice booms in my ears, and that simple response is like ice-cold water being poured down my back.
“Excuse me?” I turn to him, puzzled, and wondering where he gets off on telling me what I can and cannot do?
Lex doesn’t seem as if he’s going to stand down though and straightens in his seat. “I don’t want you working here. It’s sketchy, and dangerous, and there are so many other jobs closer to campus that you could have. You don’t need this.”
“Not only do I need this job very much, but I also want it. You don’t think I applied to other places? Nobody wanted me. Rick hired me on the spot.”
“I’m sure he did,” Lex growls, his lips pull into a deep grimace.
“I’m grateful for this job, and I’m not giving it up just because you don’t like it. I’m on a scholarship, but that doesn’t pay for everything. I need this job.”
“I’ll find you a new job, and in the meantime, I’ll help out. I can give you some money. Let me take care of you.”
Anger bubbles up in my gut, threatening to erupt like a supervolcano. I know what taking care looks like. He wants me to depend on him. He wants me helpless and in need, but that’s not going to happen. I won’t fall for this. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I take care of myself.”
And with that, I storm out of the truck, slamming the door behind me. I waltz across the sidewalk, hoping that he won’t come after me. Only when I’m inside, do I dare to look back at the truck. He didn’t leave, but he didn’t get out either.
All he’s doing is staring at me, and he looks pissed. Too bad for him. I spin around on my heel and head to the back of the store to put my work shirt on.
Just as I pull the faded red Quick Stop gas station shirt over my head, I hear someone walk into the room. I spin around half expecting to find Lex. Instead, Rick walks in without knocking. Not surprising.
“Oh, sorry, didn’t know you were getting dressed in here,” he leers.
Okay, I lied. I might need this job, but I don’t like it. Rick gives me the creeps, and this isn’t the first time he’s accidentally walked in on me changing. That’s why I always put the shirt over what I’m wearing.
“It’s okay, I’m fully dressed anyway,” I say awkwardly while tugging at the hem of my shirt.
“Yeah…” He looks me up and down, his beady eyes raking over me, and even while fully dressed, I suddenly feel naked. “I’m heading out for a bit. You got the store, right?”
“Ah, sure.” He hasn’t left me alone before to run the place, but I guess I know everything I need to know. Still, being completely alone here at night is a little scary. I hate to admit it, but now I wish Lex would have stayed with me.
7
Lex
Did she seriously just get out of the truck and walk the fuck away mid-conversation? Yes, she did. I watch as she walks across the road, then the parking lot, and disappears inside.
I take some calming breaths and grab the steering wheel, strangling it with my hands. Reasoning with myself, I try to think about what I said, and how it may have bothered her. All I want to do is protect her, and all she wants to do is fight that protection.
Does she think I’m trying to control her? Force her to do something? I wouldn’t even consider doing that. I’d just rather have her somewhere else than here. Somewhere safe, somewhere that she doesn’t have to look over her shoulder every five seconds.
Doing my best to let go of the anger pulsing through my veins, I watch her, not even feeling bad about my newfound obsession. The age difference between us doesn’t mean shit to me, nor does the fact that we’re at two different points in our lives. Before Jude walked into that bar, I had no purpose, but now I feel as if I have one, and the marks on her back have only encouraged that deep-seated need to protect her.