Page 58 of Wrecked
When I look at her again, she's facing me with a tender smile resting on her face, along with glassy eyes. “What?”
“Nothing, just, thank you,” she replies with a sigh, facing forward again. She seems to regain her composure after that. “What else did you do today?”
I shrug. “Just had something I had to do.”
The chuckle she lets out is half amused, half annoyed. “I see you're going with vague again.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I puff out my cheeks and release it slowly before deciding to tell her. I don't know why I feel hesitant about it. Maybe I just don't want to let her down if it doesn't work out.
“I met up with my cousin and talked to him about a job. He owns a construction company.”
“What? Really?” she asks, with surprise evident in her voice. “What about racing? Are you giving that up?”
“Yes, really. And, no, not right away. I'm required to do at least a few more races. Then we'll see what happens after that.”
I can see the thoughts racing through her mind when I glance over at her, wondering what I mean about being required to do some races. I still never told her about the whole drinking and driving thing that landed me in the hospital, and because of that, I owe these people money. Money, they want in the form of races because there is an opportunity to win more than just naming a price, plus, it keeps me attached to that world a little longer, and it assures that those people who want to see me race will continue to come back and pay money. I'm sure there is some sort of loyalty thing in there somewhere as well.
I can't imagine how Jasmine would react to all of that.
“So, what did your cousin say?” she finally asks.
“He said I start Monday. He's going to text me in the next day or so to tell me where to go.”
“Wow, that's awesome. I'm happy for you, I'm sure you'll do great,” she tells me with a squeeze of her hand. Then, looking around outside, she adds, “Wait, where are we going?”
“I realized I haven't taken you out to dinner or anything. Thought I'd take you somewhere tonight.”
She glances down at herself. “But I'm in my scrubs.”
I stop at a red light and trail my eyes down her body, picturing the sexy smooth skin hidden underneath her scrubs and what I want to do to it again.
Pulling myself back to the moment, I meet her eyes and remember what she said.
“Well, it's not going to be anywhere nice.” I release her hand to run my fingers roughly through my hair when I realize how that sounded. “Shit, what I mean is, it's late, so I thought a diner would be okay this time. I didn't book a restaurant. Fuck. I'm not good at this.” I should have just taken her home and fucked her.
Jasmine chuckles, pulling my hand back down to its previous position.
“A diner sounds just fine. I hope they have breakfast options. I'm kind of craving eggs now.”
“I'll find you one that does.”
My phone starts ringing from the holder in the dash, and I feel Jasmine's hand tense a second before I see who the caller is. Fucking Brandy. I let go of her hand long enough to grab my phone and toss it into her lap. Her confused gaze meets mine, but I just nod toward my phone, telling her to answer it. I don't want her to think anything is going on between us. If Brandy is calling for a hook-up, then it'll be pretty clear that that's out of the question.
Jasmine swipes the screen and then brings it up to her ear. “Hello?”
“No, this is the right number. He's driving.”
She glances over at me before answering Brandy again. “It's Jasmine.”
“I'm not sure. I'll ask.”
Addressing me, she says, “She said Reese wants to know if you're racing tomorrow night?”
Frowning, I reach over and take the phone from Jasmine. “Why the fuck is Reese getting you to ask me about a race he hasn't even told me about?”
“Hello to you, too,” Brandy snarks. “Who was that chick?”
“My girlfriend. Now answer me.”
