Page 22 of Throttle Therapy

She scowled at him.“What do you think I think of it?It’s middle school.It sucks.”

He lifted one brow as he gave her his full attention.

“Sucks, huh?Is it just that it’s middle school and that’s a miserable time or is there something specific?”

She wrinkled her nose as she looked toward the glass door that led out into the shop bays.

“Maybe a bit of both.”She didn’t look at him.

Roadkill watched her for a moment, wondering if he should ask or if that would be going too far.Before he made the decision, the door beside him opened and Jenna stepped out.

“Well, did you two decide where we’re going to lunch?”

Lacey’s head jerked around, her eyes wide as she stared at her sister.

“We get to go?”

Roadkill’s chest ached knowing that this child was this excited about going to a restaurant.

“Yep.We have something to celebrate.I got the job.I start Monday morning.”Jenna wore a big grin, but Roadkill got the feeling that at least part of that was a happy face for her sister’s benefit.He would have to wait until it was just the two of them to find out what was on her mind.

“Yep, we decided,” he said, speaking up.“You know where Backroad Bites is?”

She frowned, then the crease on her brow flattened.

“Isn’t that the place across from the post office?”

“That’s the one.What do you say we head over.I kind of promised someone a piece of pie.”He flicked his eyes toward Lacey.

Jenna’s gaze followed his to her sister then back to him.“You did, huh?”She took a deep breath, and he braced himself for her to rip him a new one for promising her sister something without at least checking with her first, but it never came.Instead, she nodded.“I guess we can do that.I mean it is a celebration after all.Do we want to head over now or do you need to do something first?”

“I don’t need to go anywhere but with you, lead the way.”He stood and motioned for her to precede him to the door and out.

“Are you sure they don’t need you at the gym?”Jenna asked once they were outside.

“I’m good.If they need me, Bobby Lee knows how to reach me.”He walked them to her car.“Did you mention this thing to Papa Smurf while you were in there?This is where I told you to take it when you had the battery issue.”

Jenna shook her head.“I didn’t want to give him any reason not to hire me.It’s worked fine since that day.”

He nodded.“I’m sure it has, and it will until it just dies again.I’d rather you not find yourself stranded anywhere.”

She ducked her head.“I’ll mention it Monday, okay?”

Roadkill softened his voice.“I’m not trying to boss you.I just want to make sure you’re safe.”He didn’t move close, like he wanted to.He didn’t kiss her full lips.He didn’t tell her she was his and he would make sure she was good.All things he had to fight his instincts to keep from doing.The slam of a car door jarred him back to where they were.Standing in front of the shop, with her sister in the car watching them.“Ready to head to the diner?”he said with a grin.

“We’ll see you there.”Jenna climbed into the car.

He waited while she started it then went to his bike and swung his leg over, hoping she hadn’t noticed how close he was to kissing her and that he hadn’t blown it.He cranked the engine and headed for the diner.He was going to get to buy lunch for two of the prettiest girls in town.He couldn’t think of much better than that.

Chapter Twelve

“Howcomeyoudon’tdate?”Lacey asked that evening, after they’d made and cleaned up after dinner.Not that either of them was very hungry after the huge lunch, including pie, that Roadkill had treated them to.

“Come on, little bit, when do I have time to date?”Jenna tilted her head to one side as she watched her sister.“I’m either working, cleaning, or helping you with whatever’s going on.”

“So it’s my fault you’re lonely.”

“No, Lacey, that’s not true.Where did you get an idea like that?I’m not lonely.I have you.I love you and I love the time we spend together.”