Don't Go There (Awkward Love 5)

“No. Of course not,” she snaps. “That’s not fair. After I talk with him, I’ll come home. I promise.”

The problem is, I’ve heard all her promises before.

“We have to get moving.” I need to end this call now, or I’ll say something I’ll want to take back. “Darcy? Keep your phone on. Call me if you need me.”

“What about Adam’s phone?” Lily asks.

“He’s having issues with his.”

I swallow a laugh when he scowls at me.

While Adam disappears to figure out how we’re getting to Vegas, I finish getting ready. He walks back in twenty minutes later, swinging a set of keys around on his finger. He grins at me, which instantly makes me suspicious.

“What?” he asks innocently. “Go check it out.”

I follow him outside, to where he’s standing in front of a flashy looking car.

“Should I be concerned?” I carefully ask.

He stares at me disbelief clouding his eyes. He chuckles to himself as he looks down at the ground, then he rubs his jaw, before looking back up at me.

“What, you think I stole it?”

“Maybe?”

I fold my arms over my chest and raise my eyebrows at him.

“Or whoever you got it off stole it. Either way, I’m sure it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve stolen a car.”

His mouth lifts into a grin. “You’re right. This must be number fifty?” he muses. “Unless I count all the ones I did before I went to juvie, then we’re talking closer to sixty.”

“Juvie?”

“You didn’t know? Nine months,” he adds. He grins widely, like he’s proud of himself.

“Congratulations on such an accomplishment,” I grumble.

“Thanks.” He smirks.

When he left, I didn’t care where he’d gone, just that the tormenting stopped. I heard rumors that he’d been sent to military camp, boarding school—and the one where he was in witness protection after witnessing a murder. They all seemed legitimate so I didn’t question it.

“Well, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m not getting in a stolen vehicle,” I snap, folding my arms over my chest. “You might be fine with going to prison, but I’m sure as hell not.”

“Why not?” His eyes twinkle as he grins at me. “Lady prison sex can be really fucking hot.”

I raise my eyebrows and wander over to him, tossing my hair seductively. When I reach him, I lean closer, so I can whisper in his ear.

“Not as hot as a three-hundred-pound biker named Tiny taking an attractive guy like you up the ass,” I whisper in his ear. “Repeatedly. You think I can handle a stick shift? Wait till you see what Tiny can do.”

He chuckles, his grin matching mine.

“Relax, Katie. I didn’t steal the car.”

“Good.” I nod, taking his word for it. “So where did it come from, then?” I ask.

“It’s a rental,” he says, grinning

I shake my head. “You couldn’t have just said that from the start?”

“It’s so much more fun watching you squirm,” he replies. He looks at his watch, then back at me. “I’m going to get a coffee, then I’ll check us out. Want one?”

“No, I’m good.”

He nods and then walks over to the gas station. I go back inside and finish getting ready. Not that there’s much to get ready, since all we have with us is what we’re wearing. I sit on the trunk while I wait for him to come back, texting Darcy while I wait. I look up when I hear Adam returning.

“Where’s your coffee?” I ask.

“I need gas anyway, so I’ll grab it when I pay.”

I nod and get in the car. I smile, settling back in the soft leather seats. I definitely prefer this over Julian’s car. Adam pokes his head inside after he’s filled the car.

“Hey, would you mind paying?”

I take the cash he holds out and walk into the gas station, waiting in line behind the other half dozen people waiting to pay, finishing my text to Darcy while I wait.

Out of nowhere, my phone begins to talk. My eyes widen as I frantically try to stop it.

“Note to self; Collect secondhand pink strap on I found on Craigslist. Also: Buy disinfectant.”

My face heats up as people stop and stare at me.

I did not write that

“Note to self; Get clarification. Does a positive herpes result mean I passed?”

Fuck.

I finally manage to switch the damn thing off. I toss the money at the cashier and storm out, ignoring the soft whispers of the people waiting to pay. Just as I reach the door, an elderly man puts his walking stick out to stop me.

“Yes?” I snap, struggling to keep the irritation out of my voice.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear …” He smiles kindly, his pity filled eyes meeting mine. “I’m sorry, darlin’, but a positive means you’ve got the herpes. Worst day of my life was when my wife, Bessie, passed the herpes onto my me and my brother.”