Page 46 of First in Line

That’s why I can’t have dinner with him. Why Ishouldn’t. Why I have to say no.

“I heard there’s an Indian place that opened,” I say instead.

“My brother told me it’s good. I have a better idea, though.”

“Oh?”

“Do you trust me, princess?”

Once again, I should say no. Everything he’s done since we’ve reunited encourages me to say no.

But once more, my heart speaks before my brain can. “Yes.”

His smile is luminous, and it makes him look so much younger that I see the boy he used to be. The one I fell in love with all those years ago.

“Alright, let me shower and change, then we can take my car.”

I look down at myself and wince. Despite trying my best, I got my blouse dirty. Jackson notices and waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry, you’re fine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah, no one will care where we’re going.”

I’m still a little reluctant by the time he disappears back to the office. Looking put together is important to me, and walking around with smears on my white blouse doesn’t feel right.

I’m trying to think of a solution, like going home to change, when I’m hit with the harsh reality of what I’m about to do.

I’m ditching my plans with my fiancé to spend time with my soon-to-be ex-husband. That really doesn’t sound right, and I don’t know how I’ll explain that one to Nathan.

Resigned, I exit the garage to walk to my car, where I left my phone earlier.

What Nate doesn’t know can’t hurt him.

CHAPTER

NINE

Jackson

“I’ve been thinking,” I let out, breaking the silence.

“Hm?”

We’re lying down on the backseat of my car, wrapped in a blanket, while the sounds of the night spill through the open door and windows. Evie is working at the diner again this summer, and I’m spending most of my time at the garage, earning a small wage as well. But every evening, I go help her wrap up, we get into my car, and I drive us here, to our secret spot.

I thought last summer was the best one of my life, but this beats it, hands down. We’ve been having tons of sex, nearly every night before I drive her back to the trailer park. I keep the blanket and a box of condoms in the car just for these evenings. And I’ve never been this fucking happy.

Her first few times were painful, the first one especially, but she’s gotten used to it, and I’ve gotten better. She wants it as much as I do now, and she’s getting bolder. She rode me just now, for the first time, and I can’t wait for the day we can finally do it on a proper bed.

“I was thinking that, after you’ve graduated, we should move to Indiana.”

She looks up, resting her chin on my chest. There isn’t much room for us on the seat, so she’s stuck between me and the backrest, though most of her weight is on me. Our feet dangle outside, the breeze of the night cooling us off.

“Why Indiana?”

“You remember that Formula 4 scout, the other day?” She nods. “They’re in Indianapolis. Between that and the surrounding states, there are many races year-round.”

She returns her temple to my chest, pensive. “You should probably go now, shouldn’t you?”