Page 95 of Animal's Reformation
“Having car trouble?” His eyes traveled up and down her body before landing on her face.
“I’m good,” she replied.
“Who the fuck are you talking to?” Animal yelled out.
“A teacher,” she replied, but she felt no comfort in Thurber being there with her.
“Do you need a ride?” The passenger door popped open.
Olivia shook her head. “Thanks, Marcus, but a friend is picking me up.”
“Friendmy ass,” Animal growled over the phone.
“Is that your friend on the phone?” Thurber’s gaze fixed on hers and his casual smile wiped off his face.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and an icy chill raced down her spine.
“Yes.” Olivia inched her way to the passenger side of her car. “He’s almost here.”
“I am, babe.”
The sound of tires squealing against the asphalt sliced through the night as Animal’s car approached. Relief washed over her as the bright headlights illuminated the area around her. Thurber glanced behind him, then pulled the door shut and rolled up the window, and sped away.
Animal jumped out of the idling SUV, dashed over to her, and drew her to him. Safe in his arms, her knees grew weak and she collapsed against him as he walked her over to the SUV. Lucy climbed out of the passenger seat and ran over to them.
“Are you okay?” she asked Olivia.
Olivia smiled weakly and tugged Lucy into Animal’s embrace. He scooped Lucy up with one arm and held Olivia tightly with his other one as they made their way to his car.
“Both of you stay inside. I’ll check out your car,” he said once Olivia was settled in the front seat with Lucy in the back.
“Is your car broken?” Lucy asked, propping her elbows on the console and resting her chin on her hands.
“It is. Do you want to trade places? I can sit in the back.”
“No, it’s okay. What’s Dad doing?”
Olivia glanced over and saw Animal shining the flashlight on his phone under the hood.
“Seeing what’s wrong.”
“I want to help,” Lucy said.
“Your dad told both of us to wait in the car, remember?”
Lucy sighed as she kept watching her father.
Soon Animal walked back to the SUV and swung into the seat. “I’m pretty sure the problem is a bad alternator.” He threw the gear in Drive and headed out of the parking lot.
“Is that a major repair?” she asked, crossing her fingers.
“Major? Nah. Necessary? Yeah.”
“Do you know how much it’ll cost?”
Animal glanced at her then put his hand over hers. “Don’t sweat it. I have a buddy who can do it for free.”
“Free? Why would he do that for me? I don’t even know him,” Olivia asked.
