Pouring myself a strong cup of fresh-brewed dark roast, I run through the day ahead of me. It’s Saturday, so the shop is going to be a madhouse. Sean’s got to repair the engine on that Jeep. I need that bay for the Chevy I’ve got coming in for a service. I’ve got to call Jose over at the junk yard to see if he’s got anything we can use to fix that piece-of-crap Pontiac Mrs. Jensen keeps bringing in. How the old woman can even still see over the steering wheel is beyond me. I’ll have to place a new order with Mikulski’s today for some brake pads and rotors before we get too low. Then there’s next week’s schedule to write. Does Shelley want Tuesday or Wednesday off?
I take another sip of coffee, the warm bitter taste doing its part in cutting through the morning haze. I fucking hate mornings.
I get to the shop before anyone else, like usual, and start flipping on the lights. The smell of grease and gas welcomes me, sweeter than the finest perfume. We don’t open for another two hours, but I can get a lot more work done when I don’t have to man the counter as well. The old metal office chair groans underneath me when I lower my massive frame into it. I know the feeling. I don’t want to be sitting here all day either. We’ve all got shit we’d rather not do. That’s called life. Better get used to it.
The quiet of the small office—and my productivity—is shattered by the sound of mechanics busting through the door.
“I’ve been fixin’ cars since you were just a wriggling sperm in your daddy’s ball sac, you little punk,” Shelley calls out across the shop. She’s been giving our new guy, Mikey, shit since he started a year ago. He’s a few years younger than me, in his early twenties, but he’s baby-faced and naive as fuck. An easy target.
“And you look it too,” Mikey taunts back. Dumb move, kid. I’m pretty sure Shelley’s killed a few men before. I bet they were all assholes that deserved it, but point is not to fuck with a woman who knows where to hide bodies.
“The fuck you just say to me? You’re asking to get your ass beat, boy!”
Childish giggling is followed by the unmistakable clatter of tools hitting a cement floor.
Sean, the older and calmer one, chimes in with, “Don’t kill ’em, Shel. He’s so pretty to look at.”
I grumble at their bullshit, despite indulging in a small smile that no one can see while I’m hunkered down in the office. “Knock that shit off before customers show up!” I shout at them like a dad threatening to turn the car around.
The scuffling continues, although a bit muted now. At least they’re trying to hide it, which is something. A knock on the door draws my attention to Sean waiting to talk to me.
“Got a second, boss?” he asks.
I’m not the boss, but I run the place, so that’s what everyone calls me.
“Sure. What’s up?” I ask the weathered old mechanic.
“I was hoping to take Tuesday off next week.”
I push down a sigh. So much for that fucking schedule I spent an hour making this morning.
“I would, but Shelley asked for Tuesday off first.”
Sean’s head tilts to the side and he calls out, “Shel, you want Tuesday or Wednesday off?”
“Wednesday. Championship for league bowling night,” Shelley calls back.
“Well, fuck. I guess that’s sorted then.” I tear up the schedule and start writing a new one from scratch.
“You all right, boss? You look like shit.” Sean means well, but I don’t have time for this. Doesn’t matter if I’m all right or not—shit still needs to get done and there’s no one else to do it.
“Yeah, Sean. I’m fine. You can have Tuesday off, but I’ll need you to work overtime on Wednesday so Shelley can go to her league night.”
“No problem. Thanks, Dev.”
Sean disappears and I focus again on the million other things I’ve got to get done today. I growl at the unwelcome sound of my phone buzzing. What the fuck is it now?
“What?” I answer.
“Good morning to you too, sunshine!” Austin, my best friend and colossal pain in my ass, sings out. “You need to get laid, man. Bad.”
“I got work to do. This call have a point?”
Austin laughs. “You coming to my game tonight?”
Damn. I look over at my calendar and remember his family night game is tonight. Austin and I give each other no end of shit, but I love the guy like a brother. I’m the only family he has and I sure as fuck need to make it to his game tonight.
“What time?”
“Game starts at six. After party starts at ten.”
If I have one of the guys close up for me, I’ll make it. I’ll be late, but I have to be there.
“I’ll make the second half. But I’m not going to a fucking college party,” I tell him.
“Fine. Let your dick shrivel up and fall off.” I’d bet money Austin has that smug smirk on his face that makes me wonder what it’d feel like to smack him. “Elizabeth will be in my section, so be nice. Well, as nice as you ever are anyway.”
Elizabeth is Austin’s quasi-girlfriend sort-of boss. He told me about her and their weird ‘sex tutor’ arrangement. He keeps saying it’s just a job, but he’s at least half in love with her already. It’s going to end badly. Love always does.
* * * *
I pull my eyes away from the two chicks grinding against each other in Austin’s living room to grab the beer he holds out. I take a long sip and try to relax. This isn’t my scene. College was never an option for me. Hell, I barely graduated high school. I’m a couple of years older than these kids, but I’ve seen a lot more of the real world than any of them ever will. Except maybe Austin. My best friend’s had his fair share of sucker punches in life. Still, he always fits in. He’s made a fucking art form out of it. Me? I couldn’t care less.
His eyes are locked on the front door, like he can will Elizabeth to appear in front of him. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s fucking gone for this girl.
“What’s up with you two?” I ask, knowing he won’t give me a straight answer.
“Nothing. She’s just a friend.” He shakes his head with a rueful smile and takes a swig of beer.
“You sticking your tongue down your friends’ throats now? Fair warning, I had onions for dinner,” I deadpan.
He picks at the label to his beer bottle and mutters, “Fuck off. It’s complicated.”
“No shit. You need to be careful with that girl.” I don’t think he realizes he’s in love yet.
“Still afraid I’m going to break her? Don’t worry, she’s tougher than she looks.”
I nod. “No doubt. I’m more worried about her breaking you, bro.” I think back to Austin’s football game earlier tonight, when he looked up to see Elizabeth in the stands, decked out in school colors, wearing his jersey and cheering him on. He’s never had that. Support. Family. Love. I’m not sure what he’ll do if he loses it. “I saw the look on your face when you saw her in the stands tonight.”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he waves over a distraction. She’s blonde and beautiful. Striking. A wide and friendly smile lights up her face and she winks. My chest tightens. She takes her time walking over to us, letting me appreciate the curvy body that goes along with that beautiful face. She’s on the conservative side for this party, jeans and a T-shirt, but with a body like hers she doesn’t need to show skin to be sexy as hell. I resist the urge to shift in my seat.
“Hey, Austin. Who’s your friend?” she asks him, but her eyes are locked on mine. They’re a cool, deep green with a mischievous glint that matches the playful lift of her rosy lips. I take a long drag of my beer, not bothering to answer.
“This is Devin. Rhymes with heaven, but he’s closer to the devil,” Austin quips. I hate his smart ass. I level him with a glare and the fucker just laughs.
The girl’s soft voice drags my attention back to her. “I’m Jessica. Jessie.” She smiles at me and small dimples appear on each cheek. I swallow hard. “Are you a transfer? I don’t think I’ve seen you on campus befor
e.”
“Not a student.” I stare through her.
She keeps right on smiling. “Just visiting? It’s an awesome campus. I can show you around sometime if you want. How long are you going to be here for?”
I ignore her, waiting for her to get bored.
“Devin’s a local boy. But I’m sure he’d love to be shown around some of your sights,” Austin pipes in.
I debate punching my best friend in the face when a loud crash draws our attention to the other side of the room, where some guy just took a swan dive off the pool table. In the packed space, it causes a chain reaction of people falling like dominoes. Limbs are flailing, followed by the sounds of bodies hitting the floor with grunts and groans. Jessie’s smile drops as she takes in the chaos. Just before the human wreckage reaches us, I wrap an arm around her and pull her against me. Her hands land on my chest and she lets out a quick gasp at my manhandling. The guy next to her tumbles over, spilling a drink on the carpet where she was just standing.
I sweep my eyes over Jessie, looking for any damage. She looks unscathed. Those dimples are back in her pink cheeks. “Thanks,” she purrs, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. My pulse kicks up.
I purse my lips and give a quick nod. I should let her go, but I don’t. She doesn’t pull away either.
Chapter Three
Jessie
Devin’s heartbeat is fast but steady under my palm. My own heart is racing at the sensation of being held against his hard body. He looks disinterested and annoyed, surveying the crowd around us. Even with that scowl affixed to his face, he’s devastatingly handsome. Despite sitting next to Austin Jacobs, considered one of the hottest guys on campus, Devin stands out. I couldn’t take my eyes off him from across the room. He’s tall and broad. Muscular in an everyday sort of way, not in the I-work-out-can-you-tell kind of way. His deep olive skin, black hair and dark eyes give him a mysterious appearance. Wearing weathered work boots, dark jeans and a long-sleeved black Henley pushed up to his elbows, he looks like he’d be more comfortable on a construction site than at this party.
His jaw is clenched tight and he’s wearing a deep frown. He looks detached, almost angry, the practiced emotion etched into every inch of his hard features. But his eyes tell a different story. There’s a gentleness and hesitation in them. I resist the urge to run my fingers along the scruff at his square jaw or over the dark tattoos that line his arms. I have a sudden and unexplainable need to hear him laugh. I bet he’s unfathomably beautiful when he’s happy.
“Looks like I have my very own knight in shining armor,” I coo. “Thanks for the assist, big man.” He scoffs. Tough crowd.
Devin nods behind me and Austin shoots up like a rocket, his eyes locked on Elizabeth. I spin out of Devin’s arms and take Austin’s vacated seat. My leg is pressed against Devin’s as both our gazes follow the path Austin blazes to his target. I lean into Devin, using the loud room as justification for the intimacy. Really, I just want to know if he’ll pull away when I press my body against his. He doesn’t. He smells amazing. Something mechanical and hard that I can’t place.
“Someone’s smitten,” I murmur into Devin’s ear.
“Him or her?”
I let out a mock gasp. “He speaks. Be still my heart.”
He turns towards me slowly. I refuse to pull back, my grin locked in place. His face is less than an inch away. The bustle of the room around us fades as his dark eyes burn into mine. I pull in a long, slow breath, trying not to suffocate in the desire to kiss him. I’ve never felt an instant attraction like this. His gaze drops to my lips and heat pools in my stomach. I lean into him farther, my eyes fluttering closed and my nose nearly grazing his.
I can tell he snaps his head away by the swift wash of air over my heated cheeks. My eyes pop open and my jaw drops. Staring straight forward, he clears his throat and takes a slow sip of his beer.
What a damn tease.
I shake it off with a chuckle. “Both,” I answer his earlier question. He nods. I have no idea if that is an agreement or just acknowledgment. “Guess it’s true what they say…”
He turns to me, an eyebrow raised in question. The right side of my mouth quirks up at the sight. He’s curious, even if he refuses to ask. I lean across his body and take the beer out of his hand. I keep my eyes locked on his as I take a long pull and hand it back.
“Opposites attract.”
He turns his face down and stares at his beer. I can’t quite tell, but I’d swear he’s wearing the hint of a smile.
Something slams into my side.
“Jessie Bird!” A drunk Michelle cries into my ear. She plasters herself to me and wraps her arms around my neck. “I’ve been looking for you all night.”
She hasn’t been. After begging me to be her wing woman, she ditched me to spend the night with Andrew Wright, most of it with her tongue down his throat. Drew is the team’s star defensive back, a corn-fed country boy about the size of a Mack truck. He’s entering the NFL draft in a few months and I have no doubt he’ll have a Super Bowl ring some day.
“Oh yeah? What’s up, babe?” I ask, gripping her waist to keep her steady. She sways into me and I fall against Devin. He wraps his arm around my back, resting on my far hip. Unfortunately, it feels more reassuring than intimate.
“We won.” Michelle throws her arms up in excitement.
“I know. I saw.”
“I told Drew he had a good game.” Her voice is soft and wistful. “He’s so nice. Don’t you think he’s nice?”
“Yes, he’s nice. I saw you congratulating him,” I tease.
“We were talking.” They were making out. “But Kimmie made me go do shots and now I can’t find him.” She pouts.
Unsteady, she stumbles and starts to take me with her. Devin’s hold tightens on my hip, grounding me. He’s strong and stable at my back. My heart flutters at the sensation. Michelle shifts her eyes between me and Devin before narrowing on me. She pokes me in the chest, right above my racing heart. “Lisssteeen to meee, Jethie Birwd—” She draws out her words and slurs my nickname. “You know what you want, so you better go and you get it! You. Get. It.” A hard jab from those manicured nails punctuates every word. “Screw what everyone else thinks. Bunch’a punks anyway.”
“Okay, Dalai Lama. How ’bout we get you some water and a ride home?”
I stand up and slide my arm around Michelle. Missing the feel of Devin close behind me, I turn and give him a quick, apologetic smile. He lifts his beer in a salute before turning his attention to the party around us.
I find Marcell, the designated driver for the night, and drop Michelle off with him as I go in search of a bottle of water for her. We manage to wrangle her into the back of Marcell’s car with two other sorority sisters who’ve had enough for the night. I hand them each a bottle of water and promise to check in on them later.
After the car is out of sight, I turn to the party again. I’m ready to search out Devin and get that smile I’m dead set on weaseling out of him, but there’s no need. He’s standing on the porch watching me. The party is still raging behind him, music pouring out through the open front door. Devin is backlit by the chaos. His tall frame shrouded in darkness makes him look almost menacing. But I don’t feel threatened. I’m excited. My heart skitters and I grin at him.
He shakes his head and twirls the keys in his hand. “Want a ride?”
I fan my face. “I’m swooning. That was almost a full sentence.”
He stalks up to me, closing the space between us in a few broad steps. I straighten and stare up at him, undaunted. The beating of my heart drowns out the muffled ruckus of the party. My skin prickles with the crisp breeze swirling around us. My eyes soak in the shadowed lines of his face as his warm breath brushes against my cheek. He groans and walks away. I stare daggers at him strutting down the street. He gets off on rejecting me.
He slows next to an old muscle car, the kind of thing my brothers would lose their minds over. Opening the drive
r’s-side door, he shouts at me over his shoulder, “Coming, JB?”
JB? Not Jessica. Not Jessie. Not even Jessie Bird! I get initials like some locker-room buddy. Who is this guy? After four years of horny jocks and handsy frat boys, detached Devin is an irresistible temptation. Being told I can’t have something makes me need it. I love a challenge and Devin’s aloofness is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
He stands there, elbows perched on the roof of the car. He’s looking off down the street, but he’s waiting for me. When his gaze drifts to me, I pull my hair off my shoulder with a sexy toss. I lick my lips, hoping they glisten in the moonlight, and unleash a naughty smile that hints at all the dirty thoughts running through my mind.
Without a word, I strut up to the passenger’s-side door with a swing of my hips and climb in. A thud that sounds very much like a fist pounding on the roof of a muscle car makes me chuckle. Devin climbs in beside me, enveloping me in his dark demeanor and masculine smell. I inhale the citrus and gasoline scent, an intoxicating combination that makes my mouth water.
I turn to him with a simper. “If you insist.”
The growl escaping his chest matches the rumble of the engine as he starts the car and pulls out into the street.
“So, Devin. Are you a car guy?”
“Which way?” he asks, avoiding my question.
I point to the right. “I’m a bit of a car person myself.”
I catch Devin side-eyeing me as he turns right.
“My 2010 Civic is a classic,” I tease, stealing my features. “Experts all agree Honda outdid themselves with that four-cylinder masterpiece.”
He shakes his head and in the passing streetlights I can tell he’s amused. Excitement courses through me with the growing desperation to make this man laugh.
“It’s in near-mint condition. Aside from an unfortunate incident with a runaway shopping cart, it’s cherry,” I deadpan.
We come to the next stop. He nods forward. I point to the right again.
This is So Happening (So Far, So Good Book 2) Page 2
