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I parked on the street in one of the many parking spots that faced the buildings and decided that, when I got home, I would tell my mother that I had forgotten to return a couple of library books and didn’t want to be in bad standing. It was a meager lie, but it was something at least, and knowing my parents, they wouldn’t care enough to question anything. Sure, I’d be in trouble, but my mother wouldn’t think twice about where I had been, only concerned that I’d run out.
My Mercedes stuck out like a sore thumb next to all the pickup trucks, and I took in the larger-than-life one right beside me. It was big and rusty, a navy blue color with an orange stripe around it. There was something shiny inside of it, the sun reflecting off of it and hitting me right in my eyes, causing me to squint. I peeked from left to right to see if anyone was paying attention, and when I believed the coast was clear, I placed my hands on either side of my face to peek through the passenger-side window.
There was only one row of seats, beige leather with ripples in the fabric and a tear in the passenger side. The object of my interest happened to be a small disco ball sitting in the middle cup holder, and next to it was a white apron, crumpled in the seat. “REAL MEN…”
“Can I help you?”
I jumped up, stifling a scream, and bumped my elbow into the side mirror. I grabbed a hold of it and cursed under my breath, “Son of a nutcracker!”
A deep, grunt-like chuckle came from behind me. “I feel like that might have been karma,” the voice said again.
I rubbed my elbow and mocked the voice. “Oh, do you?”
I finally turned around, still clutching my elbow, and my eyes met those of a guy. A guy who looked to be about my age and who towered over me. I felt my head tip back just to take in the whole sight of him. I had never seen anyone so handsome. He was big, tan, and his hair was cut short on the sides with a little bit of length on top, hitting him right at the eyebrow. He was wearing a plain, white t-shirt, and I could see his biceps bulging out from beneath it.
I realized I was ogling him, so I shot my eyes to his face, noticing he had a cigarette hanging from his mouth. I watched as he inhaled and then took out the cigarette with his pointer finger and thumb.
I grimaced. “Are you smoking?” I asked with obvious disgust as though I wasn’t standing in front of him, watching him smoke.
“You are observant.” He smiled, and I watched as his eyes sparkled. “What exactly were you looking for in my truck?”
I stood up a little taller, trying to feign an air of confidence. “Smoking is terrible for you, you know,” I replied.
He chuckled slightly and licked his plump lips, causing me to shift from one foot to the other. “Yeah, I think I’ve heard that.” He paused, staring at me this time with his eyes squinted. “Are you wearing a sweater?”
I looked down at my cashmere pink sweater, paired with a plaid dress and the Gucci belt I’d gotten the last time Avery and I had gone shopping. I shrugged, placing my hand on my hip.
“Now who’s observant?” I retorted.
“It’s like four hundred degrees out,” he replied, putting out the last of his cigarette and holding it between his fingers. “I think heat stroke is probably bad for you as well, don’t you think?”
He wasn’t wrong, but there was no way I was going to admit that to him.
“It was cold in my house,” I said frankly.
The guy nodded as though he understood, and the smirk developing on his face made me weak in the knees.
“Alright, well, I have to get back to work. So if it’s okay with you, I’d appreciate if you didn’t snoop around my truck anymore.”
“I wasn’t snooping! Your weird disco ball blinded me,” I said defiantly.
“The disco ball isn’t weird,” he replied nonchalantly.
I scoffed, “I beg to differ.”
He squinted at me before putting out the cigarette. I waited for him to drop it on the side of the road—something I’d always seen people doing—but he didn’t. He kept it in his hands and started to walk away.
I sighed before yelling back at him and stomping my foot. “I wasn’t snooping!”
He turned around and winked, then I watched him throw the cigarette into the trash can. I let out a breath and leaned against his truck, my heart racing.
SEVEN
2005
TUCK
She didn’t belong around here,the girl who was standing by my truck. If I hadn’t been able to tell by the clothes she was wearing, it was evident by the fact she was driving a Mercedes. No one in Aveline drove a Mercedes.
