Page 17 of Under His Control

“Someone needs to fix the sun. Its light is on but it’s not working.”

Jacob lets out an amused huff behind me. Oh, wow. I made Mr. Scowly McScowlerson laugh? This feels like I passed a difficult test with an A++ grade.

He locks his front door and follows behind me as we walk through his freshly shovelled path. My foot slips on a patch of ice and Jacob is beside me in an instant, catching me.

“Thanks,” I say softly, too focused on his arm around my waist. I shouldn’t like how nice his warmth and firm body feels against mine.

Why won’t he let me go?

I lift my gaze to his and glimpse that same look in his eyes after the plate incident last night. Then his expression turns unfriendly and he releases me.

“Watch your step.”

His voice is colder than the air. He moves ahead of me toward his car.

* * *

It wasn’t a long drive but I’m relieved it’s over when we finally pull into the tow yard’s parking lot.

The terrifying moment when I lost control of my car last night wouldn’t leave my mind and it made me anxious. Then again, my worries are far from over. Once I get out of Jacob’s car, he’ll leave.

I’ll be on my own, stuck trying to get back to Toronto somehow.

How much is the bus service going to cost?

How long will I have to wait?

Jacob turns off the car and I give him a forced smile.

“Thanks again for everything. I appreciate it.”

He holds my gaze. “Sure.”

I blink away the prickling sensation in my eyes as I leave his car. I’m surprised when Jacob gets out too and comes around to walk with me.

“You don’t have to come.” Though I can’t deny that his company makes me feel better.

“I want to see your car.”

My lips part to ask why. I close them because I already suspect the answer.

“You still think I lied about the accident, don’t you?”

“If you told the truth, you shouldn’t have a problem with me confirming it. Would you rather I continue believing you tried to scam me?”

My problem is his extreme distrust hurts even though it isn’t entirely undeserved.

We enter the squat, water-stained white building. After a short wait, we’re led to my car, and the sight of it feels like watching a loved one pass away right before my eyes.

Charlie of “Charlie’s Towing and Auto Repair” gives his assessment of the damage. It’s my car, yet he ignores me and speaks directly to Jacob. I scowl. I guess since a man is present he doesn’t need to address the woman.

“Even if you had the coverage, they wouldn’t have repaired it anyway,” Charlie says. “It’s a write-off. Only good for salvage at this point.”

Only good for salvage.

The words feel like another solid kick to the gut. Just yesterday, my capable little car carried me for hours over winding, hilly, and icy roads. Today, it’s dented all over, the windshield is cracked, and the passenger window is completely gone.

With no help from my insurance company, I’m on the hook for what to do with a car I can’t drive out of the tow yard. Charlie offers to buy my damaged car for five hundred dollars and I reluctantly accept. However, he keeps a little over half to pay for the towing and overnight storage.