I sensed her reluctance, but she got inside. Once we were buckled in, I roared the engine to life. I felt Charlotte’s gaze as I moved the different levers, maneuvering the vehicle out of the parking lot. I was good with my hands. I wanted her to know that.
I turned down a side street, about to show her what this car was really capable of. Once we were nowhere near the main road, I changed gears and the car took off. At the end, I quickly spun the steering wheel to the left, sending us into a complete 360. Chicks loved this Fast and Furious shit.
“Tanner!” she squealed, squeezing her eyelids shut.
Was she scared or excited? I couldn’t tell. I thundered back down the road from which we came, skidded around the corner, and finally slowed to a stop when we returned to the shop’s parking lot.
Charlotte flung her seat belt off and smacked my shoulder. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I wanted to give you a proper test drive.”
“Well, you should’ve warned me that you were going to pull a NASCAR stunt like that!”
“You wouldn’t have gotten in the car if I’d told you.”
“Exactly.”
She looked so adorable with her furrowed eyebrows and her scrunched nose. I had the sudden urge to grab her and kiss her, but I didn’t think that would go over so well. “Ah, you’re fine,” I said, waving my hand. “So, do you want to buy it or not?”
“Like I said: I don’t know how to drive stick.”
“I can teach you.”
She shook her head and stepped out of the car. “No, thanks. I’ll find something else.”
That’s when I noticed black numbers written on her cast that weren’t there earlier today. “What’s that?”
“My cast?”
“No. The numbers on your cast.”
“Oh. Gabe wrote his number on it. After I saw you in the cafeteria. He said he would show me around Staten Island. You know, since I’m new here.”
Fucking Gabe. Heat spread throughout my chest. I didn’t want her spending time with that guy. I didn’t want his hands on her. “Have fun with that creep.”
“Creep? Just yesterday you said he was a nice guy.”
“He just got dumped by his girlfriend not too long ago, so he’s on the rebound and looking to get laid. I’m just saying, I’d be careful if I were you.”
“Every guy is looking to get laid. I’m sure you’re no different.”
“I don’t have to look to get laid.”
Her face twisted in disgust. “Thanks for the test drive.” She swung the passenger door shut and walked away.
I shouldn’t have said that about Gabe. I didn’t have any right to feel this way about someone who isn’t mine. Still, I wanted to show her that I was different. I wanted to show her—to show myself—that I could be the man she deserved.
But I knew better. I’m not worthy of someone like Charlotte. I can’t have her. I had to let her go. So, I watched her ass move in her denim shorts as she walked away from me.
Charlotte
I gripped my can of pepper spray in my hand and stiffened every time I heard a car drive past on my daily walk home from school. I had applied for a gun permit my first week in New York. Once I received it, my cast would be off and I would be purchasing a gun. The night John and Tommy came to the bakery, I hadn’t been prepared. I was defenseless. I swore I would never feel like that again. If Tommy ever found where I was hiding, I’d be ready.
Ever since we’d left Florida, I’d been suffering with what could only be described as panic attacks. At least, that’s what Google told me when I researched my symptoms. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Something would trigger a memory and I was instantly back in that bakery, filled with fear. Most of the time, I was able to control the episodes. Other times, I was forced onto the floor gasping for air while I cried.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I approached my apartment complex. Tucking my pepper spray back into my purse, I trudged up five flights of stairs. Though the stairwell was poorly lit, I preferred it to the rickety elevator. Before, I’d never had an issue with confined spaces. Now, I avoided anything that made me feel trapped.
I made a beeline for the shower after locking the front door behind me. Tanner’s comment regarding Gabe echoed in my mind. Had Gabe asked me out for sex, or was Tanner lying? Why would Tanner feel the need to lie about something like that? I didn’t know what to believe. If Gabe was trouble, Mallory would’ve told me. Instead, she warned me about Tanner.
Yet, Tanner was the one who’d lent me his shirt, and offered to take the time to teach me how to drive a stick shift. Neither of those gestures seemed to fit with the information I’d heard about him. What was his deal? I wanted to know more.
Curiosity killed the cat, Charlotte. I towel-dried my hair and plopped onto my bed. If I wanted to create a new life here, I needed to play it safe. Tanner was not safe.
I took out my phone and dialed the numbers inked across my cast.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Gabe. It’s Charlotte.”
“Hey! Glad you called. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t call.”
“Nope. I was looking at a car that I wanted to buy.”
“Did you buy it?”
“No. I don’t know how to drive stick.”
“I don’t know how, either. I’m sure you’ll find something else,” he said. “So … do you wanna hang out?”
“Sure.”
“Great. Text me your address. I’ll come get you.”
As soon as I ended the call, I texted Gabe my address. I got dressed and sat on the barely-there balcony that overlooked the parking lot. What a view. If I were in Florida right now, I’d be night swimming with my best friend, Carla, amongst the peaceful chirping of crickets. We’d be belting out Backstreet Boys lyrics, or quoting lines from Gilmore Girls, and we’d definitely be discussing the details of Carla’s unplanned future wedding to her boyfriend.
Carla had always been there for me … until I couldn’t allow her to be. I disappeared without a call, text, or explanation. For all Carla knows, I was abducted by aliens. Every night, I wished I could call her, even just to let her know I’m okay. I couldn’t make a careless mistake though. No one could know where I was. It was safer this way.
Life was so different here. The houses on Staten Island were all crammed on top of each other, without any land or space to separate people from their neighbors. Rap music, wailing sirens, and beeping horns could be heard at all hours of the night. Worst part? I was alone. Sure, I had Mallory, but our friendship was new, and our talks were mostly school-related. I didn’t even know if she watched Gilmore Girls.
When Gabe arrived, I pushed the memories from my mind with practiced ease and put on a smile. I live here now, and I have to get used to it.
Gabe’s light brown hair was neatly styled, and his boyish grin spread across his face when he saw me. He wore khaki-colored cargo shorts and a yellow T-shirt. His arms were not as muscular as Tanner’s, but he was lean and toned nonetheless. Why are you comparing him to Tanner, you idiot? I shook my head, as if that would knock him out of my brain like a coconut from a tree. He shouldn’t be in there, no matter how good he looked without a shirt on. Don’t think of him shirtless! Bad, Charlotte. Bad.
“Are you ready for your tour, miss?” Gabe walked to the passenger door of his black Jeep and swung it open.
“Yes, sir.”
“Please remember to keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times, and whatever you do—don’t feed the animals.”
I giggled as I climbed inside.
“Our first stop is the Woodrow Diner. I ordered us cheeseburgers with fries, to go. I figured we could eat in here while we drive around. Is that okay with you?”
“Sure. Dinner and a show. I can give you the money for my burger.” I rummaged through my purse for my wallet.
Gabe took my purse and placed it on the floor by my feet. “Stop. It’s my treat.”
“Oh.” Was thi
s a date? “Thank you.”
“So, how did you break your wrist?”
“I fell. I was at my dad’s bakery. There was some flour on the floor and it was slippery. I landed on my arm, and boom. Broken.” I’d rehearsed the lie enough times that it sounded natural when it came out. I hated lying, but it’s not like I could admit what really happened.
“Ouch. When do you get it off?”
“Next week. I can’t wait.”
“I broke my ankle playing soccer when I was a kid. Hurt so bad.”
I cringed remembering the pain I’d experienced when Tommy snapped my bone in his bare hands. The memory of the sickening crunch sounded in my ears, turning my stomach.
“Where are you from?”
“Florida.”
“Do you miss it?”
“I miss my friends and my pool. I miss seeing the palm trees everywhere. I miss the familiarity of it all.”
“In time, this will feel like home, too.”
I sure hope so.
After Gabe picked up our food, we ate while he drove us to our next destination. He pointed out random, meaningless places along the way, and I pretended to be interested. Then, he turned the Jeep down a narrow road with trees on either side of us. I did not know such a heavily wooded place existed within the city streets. I would’ve thought it was beautiful if I wasn’t so leery about where he was taking me. I glanced at my purse down by my feet, wondering how quickly I could grab the pepper spray if I needed to.
“I know it looks like I’m taking you down here to kill you,” he said, as if reading my mind. “But I promise I’m not.”
“What is this place?”
The road we were on opened into a giant parking lot. There were several paths surrounding the parked cars; people were jogging, riding bikes, and walking dogs. The setting sun made for a beautiful backdrop against the thick trees.
“This is Clove Lakes Park. Down that path right there,” he said, pointing out his window, “are benches where we can sit by the water and feed the ducks. I figured you’d like it. It’s the closest thing we have to Florida.”
“Wow. This is so nice.”
Gabe parked and jogged around the front of the car to open my door. He reached behind my seat for a bag of birdseed and held out his other hand for me to take as I hopped down. We walked along one of the paths until we reached a clearing by the lake. The sun cast a mixture of pink and orange swirls into the sky. I inhaled deeply as I looked out at the still water. The sour garbage smell did not reach this far north on the island.
We sat on an empty bench near the water’s edge. Gabe tossed a handful of seeds to the ducks and they quacked as they waddled over to us.
“I can’t believe how calm it is here. It’s like we’re not even in New York anymore.”
Gabe smiled. “I’m glad you like it. I come here for a run almost every day. It’s a nice place to get your mind off everything.”
I miss running. Why did I stop once I got to New York? “What are you trying to get your mind off of?”
He looked down at the bag of birdseed. “My girlfriend and I broke up last month. We were together for a long time, so it was tough. Running makes me feel at peace.” His bright eyes met mine. “It’s better now, though.”
“How long were you guys together?”
“Most of high school. She said since we’re in college now, she wants to do her own thing, and that I should, too.”
“Maybe she’s right. Now is your chance to go out and experience life, without being attached to someone.”
“I’m here with you, so I look at it like she did me a favor.”
I smiled, tossing another piece of bread toward the ducks. Was he being sincere, or was he just a smooth talker?
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Did you leave behind any broken hearts in Florida?”
I laughed once, looking down at my lap. “No.”
Gabe brushed a strand of hair away from my cheek and tucked it behind my ear. His fingertips lingered on my face as he leaned in a bit closer. “I’m glad you called me tonight.”
Uh-oh. “Me, too. It’s nice to have another friend to hang out with.”
Gabe retracted his hand upon my use of the six-letter F-word, and we returned to making small- talk as we fed the ducks.
Tanner had told the truth about Gabe’s recent breakup. Was the rest of what he said true, too? Gabe didn’t seem like he was trying to get into my pants. If he was, this was a pretty elaborate scheme just for that. Then again, the wool had been pulled over my eyes before. I was not ready to trust anyone at this point. I didn’t know if I ever would be.
Three
Tanner
I looked out the window for the third time in ten minutes. Now that I knew Charlotte walked home every day after school, I tried to catch a glimpse of her passing by. That was all I could have. A glimpse of something I couldn’t have.
I shoved another folder into the filing cabinet and glanced up just in time to see Charlotte. Clutching something in her hand, her head tilted toward the ominous sky. The forecast for this afternoon called for heavy rain. Why didn’t she have a car?
A clap of thunder boomed overhead, and then it down poured. Charlotte was going to get drenched. I snatched my car keys off the nail on the pegboard and grabbed a clean towel from the garage. I sprinted to my car and peeled out of the parking lot.
The poor girl was soaked to the bone when I pulled behind her. She turned around as she heard my hollow exhaust following her and squinted through the deluge to see who I was.
“Get in!” I shouted out the open passenger window.
“I can’t! I’m soaked!”
She was worried about my car. I think I’m in love. “I have leather seats. It’s fine. Just get in!”
She swung open the door and got inside. I lowered the air conditioning and wrapped the towel around her shoulders.
“I’d offer you my shirt again, but you look like you would need my whole outfit.” I paused, smirking. “I mean, I’ll take my pants off if you want me to.”
She ignored my comment and squeezed the water out of her hair with the towel. “Thank you so much for the ride. Where were you headed?”
“Nowhere. I saw you walking past the shop and figured you could use a lift.”
“Oh.” She looked surprised. People were always surprised when I did something nice. I guess it didn’t happen very often. “I’m sorry you had to leave work just for me.”
“I’m not.” Her wet top, yet again, clung to her tits, and I wanted to peel it off her. It took all the restraint I had not to. She wasn’t the kind of girl who got fucked in a car. Think about something else before you pitch a damn tent in your pants and embarrass yourself. Car. Tree. Tits. Fuck.
“Where to?”
“My apartment is down Rossville.”
“Do you have anything going on right now, or can we make a pit stop?”
“No, please. You’re doing me the favor, so I’ll go wherever you need to go.”
Turning down a side street, I pulled the car over and unclipped my seat belt. “Switch seats with me.”
“What?”
“I’m going to slide over into your seat. I want you to sit here.”
“No way. I know what you’re doing. I can’t drive this thing.”
“Yes, you can. Just switch.” Without waiting for her to move or respond, I climbed into her seat.
“Ow!” She grunted as she tried to climb over my legs. “You’re too big to do this.”
“Yeah, I hear that a lot.” I chuckled to myself.
“You’re an idiot.”
“I hear that a lot, too.”
“I can see why.”
I didn’t want to be a dick, but I enjoyed irritating her.
She sank into the driver’s seat and helped me swing my legs onto the passenger side of the car. She had to pull my seat all the way forward to reach the pedals. Damn. She looks good in my Mustang.
“All right. The most important thing you need to remember is: If you crash my car, I will have to kill you.”
Her eyes widened, and I smirked. “Kidding. Well, sort of.”
“We shouldn’t be using your car. I don’t think I’ll be very good at this.”
“You’ll be fine. Trust me. You’ve had sex before, right?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“Think of it this way: Driving a stick is like having sex. You have to know your car very well—how it works, what it needs from you, what each noise means. You can’t force it. You have to use your whole body and mind to get the vehicle to do what you want it to do.”
Her lips parted slightly and then she shook her head. “So, what do I do first?”
“These are your gears. Whenever you want to change a gear, you have to use the clutch.” I reached over and pointed to the pedal on the left. “You have to use your left foot to operate the clutch.”
“Clutch on the left. Got it.”
“The brake pedal is in the middle, and the gas pedal is on the right—just like in a regular car. The trickiest part is changing gears. If you don’t get it in the correct spot, it makes a really loud noise.” I moved the shifter, and an unpleasant sound screeched throughout the car.
She cringed. “That’s terrible.”
“We’ll take it slow, and I’ll help you change gears.”
She nodded, squaring herself in the seat, placing her left hand on the steering wheel and her right hand on the shifter. I’d never seen anything sexier.
“If you pop the clutch too quickly, you’ll stall the car. Most people do this, so I’m just preparing you ahead of time.”
“Do you ever stall the car?”
“I did when I first learned how to drive a stick.”
“Who taught you?”
“My dad. He had so much patience with me. I tend to get frustrated very easily.”
She nodded as if she already knew this about me.
“The car is in neutral while we’re stopped right now. You’re going to push the clutch in and shift the gear into first. Then, come off the clutch slowly while pressing on the gas at the same time.”
She did as I instructed, but stalled the car on the first try.
The Other Brother (The Collision Series) Page 3
