Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
That got a grunt from him. “Didn’t seem like the type, but makes this a whole lot easier.” He sounded like he was talking to himself and not to me, so I didn’t say anything. He still hadn’t put me on my feet. “Where you parked?”
“Um, just over there?” I pointed to a nearby bicycle rack. “Mine’s on the end.”
He stopped and looked around like he couldn’t see the bicycle rack only a few steps away. “Girl, ain’t seein’ no bikes anywhere.”
“Really?” I rolled my eyes, squirming until he let me down, then walked over to where I’d left my bike. It had a small pack strapped down to the back where I had a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
“That ain’t a fuckin’ bike.” He was right behind me. I could feel the heat from his body. OK, so it could have been heat from the afternoon sun, but I liked the thought of this man close to me. Yeah. I wasn’t right in the head sometimes.
“Well, what do you call it?” I didn’t turn around, preferring to pull on my clothes over my bikini without looking at the hunk of perfect, gruff man behind me.
“It’s a fucking bicycle!” He sounded equal parts amused and frustrated, and like he wasn’t sure which emotion would finally win out.
I shrugged. “Yeah. That’s what I said. A bike.”
“Sweetheart, there’s a distinct difference between a bike and a bicycle.”
I fastened my shorts and straightened my shirt as he spoke. I must have had a confused look on my face because he immediately frowned. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “Look. I appreciate your help, but now I’ve got to go get a shower before my shift starts.” I gave him what I hoped was a bright smile and waved as I pulled my bike out of the rack.
“Where the hell you think you’re goin’, girl?”
I blinked up at him as I straddled the seat and put my foot on the pedal to take off. “I just told you. I need a shower and I’m probably running a little late as it is. What time is it anyway?”
He tilted his head at me like he was curious. “Little after four.”
I sucked in a breath. “After four?” My voice came out a little squeak. “Oh shit! I’m late! I’m so freaking late!” It took all I had not to burst into tears. “Marge told me if I was late she’d have to fire me! I can’t lose that job!”
Putting all my weight into it, I stepped on the pedal of the bicycle… and nothing happened.
“Whoa there, girl. You can’t go off ridin’ that abomination in those fuckin’ shoes.”
“But I’m late!” I was starting to struggle now. Not physically. My insides felt icky. It was like when I got into trouble at the camp, only so much worse. At the camp I knew what the punishments were depending on the infraction. Out in the world? I didn’t have a clue. Sure, Marge would fire me, but she was also the lady who owned the motel. Would she kick me out of my room too? Where would I sleep?
“Stop. You said Marge. You work at Tito’s Diner?”
“Yes. I’m trying to learn to be on time. Marge says if I’m not, I’ll get fired.”
“OK. What time did your shift start?”
I could feel my lower lip trembling and I tried to bite it so I didn’t lose my control on the stupid tears threatening. “Um, four o’clock.” Could I sound any more miserable?
“Come on, girl.” He held out a hand. I took it before I thought. “I’ll get you there and see if I can smooth things over with Marge for you.” It was ingrained in me to obey. The second I took his hand I realized I’d fallen back into the same trap I’d been in most of my life. Letting men in the camp dictate to me without so much as questioning them. It didn’t matter how much I wanted to like this guy; I didn’t know him. I was also pretty sure if I did know him, the last thing I’d do was take his hand.
I snatched my hand from his grasp and put both of my hands behind my back. “I’m fine,” I said, looking down at my feet. “I just need to leave right now.”
He sighed, long and loud, like I was the one putting him out. “Well, whatever you’re gonna do, you should do it now. The crowd is thinnin’ out, but I don’t like you here by yourself.”
I shrugged. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”
“Uh-huh.” He didn’t sound convinced. “Look. I know Tito and Elena. Marge too. I’ll ride on ahead and let them know what happened. It’ll be all right.” The guy looked uncomfortable with his offer of help and I wasn’t sure why. Growing up in an encampment away from the real world had left me with more than a few social barriers. Sure, I’d learned to read people. Especially when they were angry. But the people on the outside were very different than what I’d been taught they were in the camp.