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He twists around to face me, tilting his head to the side and giving me big eyes. “Mabel, we got thatthing,remember?” he says, nodding so I’ll agree.
But I shake my head, scrunching my face. “No, we don’t. And besides,Theo,I’m sure the girls are just dying to have you all to themselves without your littlesistertagging along.”
My whole speech is tongue-in-cheek, dripping with sarcasm, but the trio believes it, clapping their hands excitedly at the prospect of spending some one-on-one time with Theo.
The worst part about hitching a ride with fellow travelers is that you’re both looking for a place to crash. I bet Quinn doesn’t think his little country twang was such a good idea now that he’s being grilled by three very pushy girls.
It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. In Quinn’s case, I bet he wishes he could lose both eyes so he doesn’t have to watch Tonya demonstrate why she was head cheerleader one last time.
We’re sitting in a small bar across the road from where we’re all crashing for the night. The girls decided spending even more time with Theo by staying at the same hotel as him would be fun. Looks like my plan of getting Quinn laid will be easier than anticipated.
The bar is small and cozy, and I feel my eyes droop shut as the second beer I just downed goes straight to my head.
“I’m going to go crash,” I announce, tossing a few bills onto the table to pay for my beer.
Quinn also stands, but Bridgette pulls on his arm, and he loses his balance, plonking back down.
“You’re not going anywhere, are you, Theo?” pouts Pippa, licking her lips, which still resemble a disco ball.
“No, Theo is staying here,” I reply, looking at Quinn smugly, who’s baffled by what the hell is going on.
The girls squeal and continue fawning over Quinn as I turn my back and exit, looking forward to some peace and quiet. In my travels, I see an army disposals store and decide a new flick knife is in order. And maybe some new combat boots, as my soles are nearly worn down.
I enter the store and keep my head down. I want to be in and out. That’s my motto from now on, as I’m sure my face can be found on wanted posters from here to New York.
The glass cabinet contains sexy-looking weaponry, but I want something I can conceal. My eyes skim over a blade with a deep mahogany handle. It’s small and sleek, and I want it.
I practically squish my face against the glass cabinet as I hungrily eye the knife. However, I nearly headbutt the display case when I hear my real name called out loudly. Who would knowmein South Carolina?
“Mia? Mia Lee?”
I turn my head cautiously, afraid to see who’s standing near me. But the person staring back at me is someone I never thought I’d see again.
“Justin? JustinMiller?” I release the deep breath I was holding as I stand to full height.
“Itisyou!” Justin says, giving me a big hug while I stand awkwardly.
Justin Miller was a fellow freak and the only guy in high school who was ridiculed as much as I was. He’s also the only guy I’ve ever kissed more than once. However, neither time was earth-shattering or mind-blowing, like it is with Quinn.
I can’t believe Justin Miller is here in South Carolina. Seriously, what are the odds?
“What are you doing here?” we both question each other at the same time, and he laughs, thankfully letting me go.
The store clerk looks back and forth between us, unenthused by our reunion because we’re blocking the counter. Stepping aside, Justin looks at me, waiting for me to explain. But all I can do is stare at him because I feel like I’ve just taken a trip down memory lane.
Justin’s head is still shaved, and his huge brown eyes gawk at me with a disbelieving look. His guarded, dimpled smile hasn’t changed since I saw it last, and it beams down at me as he takes in my appearance.
His sculptured right eyebrow now dons a barbell piercing, but that’s the only thing that’s changed about him. My gaze quickly drops to his lips as I recall kissing him behind the gymnasium before fifth period when I was fifteen, and once again, two years later, when I delivered dope to a party. Both times were big mistakes. And both times I felt vulnerable and sad, and Justin was just…there.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he says, making it more than obvious he’s checking me out.
“I know, right? Small world,” I reply, shuffling uncomfortably as seeing him again brings back memories I wish I could forget.
“So…tell me, what brings you here?” he asks, crossing his arms over his lean chest.
I can’t help but compare his stature to Quinn’s. He isn’t as tall or muscled as Quinn, but he certainly carries himself with an air of confidence.
“Just here with a friend,” I reply lamely, reaching for a combat boot that catches my eye. “You?”
