“God, no,” I bit back as Ryan banged something really loudly behind me, making me jump.
“Don’t scare the girl, Ry.” He smirked, then came to stand over me, trying to intimidate me no doubt. “Do you like being scared?” he whispered low into my ear and I leant away, feeling disgusted by his closeness. “Because if you do, I think we could have a lot of fun together.”
“I’d rather stick pins in my eyes whilst listening to Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” on repeat than spend a second in your company. Isn’t there a fist somewhere that you could be jumping in front of?”
Ryan laughed and came to stand next to me.
“I guess that’s my cue. I’ll leave you lovebirds to it.” Brandon winked and turned his back on us, sauntering back over to his car. Then he shouted over his shoulder, “I’m starting to like you, Winters. If he fucks it up, I’m right here waiting to pick up the slack.”
I had no idea what this guy was on. He was certifiably crazy. As if I would go anywhere near him. Dude scared the shit out of me in a bad way. He made my skin crawl. And what the hell was he on about, “If he fucks up?” He obviously didn’t know me at all. Everyone in this town knew I was single.
“I need your number,” Ryan said, breaking my trance. I turned to face him and gasped. He wanted my number? Why?
“So I can call you when the car is ready,” he said, rolling his eyes. I hadn’t realised I’d spoken out loud. I must’ve sounded like a complete idiot.
“Oh, right. Yeah. Hold on.” I scrolled through my phone to find my number and heard a friendly voice behind me.
“Hey there. You’re Alec Winters’ daughter, aren’t you?” Ryan’s dad was coming towards me. He wiped his hands down his overalls then held one out for me to shake.
“Yeah, Emily.” I took his hand and he smiled, a really genuine, heart-warming smile.
“I hope my boy is looking after you,” he said, giving Ryan a questioning look.
“He towed me here. My car broke down.” Nothing like stating the obvious.
Ryan’s dad slapped him proudly on the back. “He’s a good kid. I’m glad he was there to help you. Do you want to come into the office and we can get some paperwork filled out?”
“I’m sorting it, Dad. It’s okay.”
“You haven’t even offered the girl a drink. She’s been stood here for five minutes,” his dad chastised him.
“Two, actually, and she was just calling a cab. I’m getting her number.”
“I bet you are.” His dad grinned, and Ryan actually blushed. “You don’t need to call a cab. Ryan will take you home.”
“Oh, no. That’s okay, Mr Hardy. I can find my own ride.”
“It’s Sean, and we’re more than happy to see you home safely. Aren’t we, son?”
“She’s sorting her own ride, Dad. Chill out.”
Mr Hardy, Sean, shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He shook his head and laughed. “I’ll never understand your generation.” Then he walked back towards the office, leaving Ryan and I to our awkward stand-off.
“Your dad seems nice.”
“He is, but I’m not. Write your number on here and I’ll get one of the guys to call you when it’s ready.” He thrust a piece of paper and a pen at me, and I grabbed it, leant against the wall to write my number and slapped it back into his chest.
“Can’t wait,” I said sarcastically and strode away, heading towards a coffee house to grab a much needed caffeine fix to calm my shredded nerves.
It’d been four days and I still hadn’t gotten my car back. I don’t know why I was surprised. I doubt my little Audi was a top priority to them. It was a pain in the arse to have to keep relying on others for a lift though. To be honest, I was quite happy with walking or catching a bus, but to everyone around me that was like committing a heinous crime.
My mother hated public transport; thought it was unsanitary. Although she’d never admit that publically. That’d be political suicide. And my friends? They felt sorry for me, I guess. So, they messaged me daily to check that I was okay and asked me whether I needed anything. Hence the reason why I was riding shotgun with Effy to the hairdressers, while Liv sat in the back. I say sat, she spent more time leaning forward in-between the headrests than actually sitting down. I think she was scared she’d miss something if she chilled out.
“Have you ever thought of dying your hair, Em? I think you’d really suit blonde. Or maybe you could spark some more fire in you and become a redhead?” Liv said, popping her gum as she spoke.
“I’m happy with a trim. I like the brown. I know it’s boring, but it’s me.”
“I like the brown too,” Effy said in solidarity. “Chocolate curls. That’s your look, Em. Stick with it.”