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Chapter Twelve
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This cannot be happening. It’s all I can think as I watch Thad pull the truck off the side of the road, bringing it to a stop right behind my Civic that’s currently billowing smoke from below the hood.
I knew my time with her was limited, but I wasn’t anticipating that she’d crap out on me today of all days. Knowing cars the way I do, I took one look under the hood and knew there was no way I was driving her anywhere.
I called my parents’ house, thanking the heavens that I was close enough to town to still have a semblance of cell service. My mom said she’d send dad. Clearly my father decided he’d send Thad in his place.
Freaking great.
I try to act completely unaffected as he hops out of the truck and heads toward me, his toned body more visible today through the thin material of his gray t-shirt. I pull my bottom lip into my mouth and clamp down to keep from showing him how much just the sight of him affects me.
God, is it possible he’s gotten even more handsome in the last twenty-four hours?
“Hey,” he says, stopping about a foot from where I’m standing, having closed the distance between us in just three long strides.
“Hey.” I shove my phone in my back pocket. “Tow truck is on its way. We don’t have to wait,” I tell him, avoiding his gaze.
“You want me to take a look? See if I can figure out what’s going on?”
“No, I already did. She’s not going anywhere on her own today.”
“She?” The smile in his voice pulls my eyes to his, causing my stomach to whoosh.
“Karen.” I smile.
“Your car’s name is Karen?” He arches a brow.
“The previous owner named her. She shared the information with me when I bought her. I figured a car is kind of like a pet. You wouldn’t rename a dog, would you?”
“I guess not. Then again, a dog is a living creature that actually adjusts to its name. A car? Well, I think that goes without saying.” He chuckles.
“Whatever.” I shake my head and smile. “Are you going to drive me home or stand here making fun of me and the name of my car?”
“My apologies.” He grins, gesturing toward the truck. “After you.”
“You’re really playing this gentleman thing up now, aren’t you?” I smart, knowing he gets my reference in regards to last night.
“Don’t get used to it. It doesn’t happen that often,” he tells me, waiting until I’m securely in the passenger seat before climbing into the cab of the truck.
“Good to know.” I hold back the urge to ask him if that means he won’t turn me down again. “I thought my dad was picking me up.”
“Him and Ben were trying to finish the fence patching near the pond. I told him I could come get you so they could keep working.”
“I see.” I nod, turning my gaze out the window.
“How are you feeling today?” he asks, shifting the truck into gear before pulling it back out onto the road.
“Fine.”
“That’s good. When you didn’t come down for breakfast I worried you were feeling pretty rough.”
“Yeah. It wasn’t a great morning for me,” I admit. “Sorry about last night.” I chance a look his way to find his gaze locked on the road. “Taking care of a puking drunk was probably not how you envisioned your night going.”
“Trust me, I can think of a lot of ways my night could have been much worse.” His eyes find mine for a brief moment before darting back to the road. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?”
“I’m sorry?” I question, playing dumb to his accusation even though I know it’s the truth.
