“I don’t know.” He shrugs, looking down at his plate.
“Come on,” I urge him, his eyes snapping up to meet mine. “You could be anything, be anyone, the world is your oyster… what would you do or be? First thing that comes to mind.”
A sliver of a smirk plays around the corner of his lips. “A famous musician,” he replies. “What about you? Same question.”
“I’d own my own garage.” My response is automatic, because while I haven’t thought too hard aboutwhereI’d go, I have thought extensively about what I’d do if given the chance. “Cars have been my passion for as long as I can remember. Getting to make a career out of that would be the ultimate dream.”
“You should do it,” Segan murmurs.
“So should you. Keep writing, keep playing. Get better at both and go for it.”
Segan’s green eyes shine bright as he holds my gaze, a moment passing between us I don’t quite understand. One that has goosebumps blooming along my arms. His phone vibrates on the table, breaking whatever this is as he glances down.
“Oh, shit,” he hisses.
“What’s wrong?”
“We’re supposed to meet Lana at the church for that potluck.”
Glancing down at my watch, I realize he’s right. We’re gonna be late. I can’t believe this much time has passed without even realizing it. “All right, let’s get going.”
4
SEGAN
Lana: You’re on your way over, right?
Me: Yeah. I’m across town, but I’ll be there in twenty.
Lana: Please hurry.
Glancing one last time at her text message, I lock the phone before shoving it into my pocket. Lana told me this morning she was having a hard time with her dad, but it must’ve gotten worse. Things between them haven’t exactly been pleasant lately. Ever since he and her mom got back from the church function a few weeks ago, Mr. DeMille has been harping on her more than ever about being more active in the church—something Lana wants absolutelynopart of.
“You okay?”
Peering over to my left, in the driver’s seat, my gaze connects with the pair of gray eyes I’ve been trying to avoid checking out all day. I nod. “Yeah. Fine. That was just Lana again, wondering where I’m at. Think she’s fighting with her dad again.”
“Not surprising. He’s been extra dickish lately.” Josiah chuckles, and it takes everything in me to not outwardly react to the sound of his laugh.
We pull into the church parking lot, the area already filled to the brim with cars. I’m surprised we’re able to find a spot. Today’s someone’s birthday—fuck if I know whose—and there’s a huge celebration. It’s a big potluck, and Lana’s dad is grilling hamburgers and hotdogs.
Truth be told, I didn’t even want to come, but Lana begged me to. She couldn’t get out of it, and therefore, I had to join her. Although, getting to spend the rest of the evening in the same vicinity as Josiah, after spending all day with him, doesn’t sound half-bad.
Before Josiah can even turn off the car and we can get out, Lana is running up to us. She must’ve been waiting outside for me. Pulling my door open, she crosses her arms over her chest. “Took you long enough.” Looking over my shoulder, she adds, “Where were you?”
“I was helping Josiah work on Mrs. Landry’s car, remember?”
Her perfectly plucked brows knit together. “No.”
That’s because I didn’t fucking tell you because I’m a coward who has a pathetic crush on your uncle.
Josiah chimes in, saving me from having to respond. “He’s a shitty mechanic, but not half-bad at keeping me company.”
We both climb out of the car, Lana looking no less irritated than she did a minute ago.
“Whatever, let’s go.” Grabbing my hand, she all but drags me inside the church. The function is taking place out back, but in order to get there, we have to cut through the building.
I fucking hate this place. For most of my life, my parents had dragged me here every single Sunday morning. The past year and a half, though, they’ve given up trying, because every time I would go, I’d cause some sort of a scene, and I think my dad was just tired of dealing with it.
