Page 19 of Truck Off
“What plans?” everyone asks at the same time.
Their fast responses have me nervous, and I rub the back of my neck. I meet Christian’s gaze, and he frowns.
“What is it?” he growls.
Well shit. I didn’t expect this kind of response. No matter what I say, they’re going to question me further. But I’m not sure I’m ready to tell them what really happened.
“Uh, I’ve got a date.”
“With whom?” They all yell, and I shrink into myself. I should’ve kept my damn mouth shut.
I haven’t dated anyone in ages and there’s no way I’m getting out of here without telling them. Besides, as soon as we’re spotted out, everyone in a fifty-mile radius will know.
“Here’s the thing.” I hold my hands up in surrender, preparing for the backlash that I know will come. Shit is about to hit the fan. “Don’t make a big deal out of this. And I’m going to fix it. I swear.”
“Fix what?” Liam asks, taking a step closer to me with a worried look on his face. He’s always acting like he has to take care of us. Sometimes I wish he’d just be our brother and stop acting like he’s our dad.
“I kinda ran into Lina the other day, and I asked her out.” I blurt it out fast, barely taking a breath.
“And she said yes?” Christian asks with a hint of accusation in his tone.
I meet his troubled gaze. He knows as well as I do that she’s had a thing for him for years. He’s going to kill me when I tell him the truth.
I nod, and his scowl deepens.
“Well, that’s great. You’ve lusted after her for years.” Ash teases.
“Don’t be a dick.” I barked in reply. My expression must say it all because now he’s the one tossing his hands up in surrender. I rarely lose my cool, so they’ll question my behavior no matter what I say. All I can do now is tell the truth.
“But …” Christian stares at me with raised brows.
“But …” I take a deep breath and gather my strength. “She thinks I’m you.”
He lets out a deep growl, tosses the tool aside, and stands. He charges toward me, and I prepare for his blow, but it doesn’t come. Instead, he nudges my shoulder as he pushes past me and exits the garage.
“Fuck,” I mumble. Then I spin around to chase after him. “Christian, wait. I said I’ll fix it.”
But I’m too late. Christian must have sprinted toward his bike, because he’s already started it up. His tire spins in the gravel, kicking it up behind as he speeds away from the garage.
His response only further confirms my suspicions that he has a secret girlfriend. This is a small town, and word will travel fast about Lina and me. Or should I say, Lina and Christian.
It’s bad enough that I’ve made a mess of things for myself. The last person I want to create issues for is my twin.
I kick my foot on the gravel, tossing a few rocks into the air. I need a game plan, and fast. Christian has had enough troubles in his life. He doesn’t need me making things harder.
Chapter 5
Oh, that kiss …
Lina
Fridays are always busy days at the tattoo parlor. My schedule is packed from the moment I clock in. Mostly with my regulars who have scheduled a custom design. Which means they’re also my best tippers.
Normally, I’d be hyped to work a double and stay until we close up shop. But not today.
Today, I have a date, and I’m almost smiling about it. Almost.
The tattoo parlor I work at is in Chillicothe. It’s a city about forty minutes north of Beaver. If I had a choice to work somewhere else, I would. But Country Ink is the only tattoo parlor in the area. I’d have to drive to Circleville before I’d find another one, and that’s too far for my old car. It would also break me in gas.