Chapter 39
My question hung in the air. In Joel's eyes, I saw slow anger, simmering just beneath the surface.
Instantly, I was filled with remorse. Of course, he was angry. Here, he'd just spent two hours mowing my lawn, and already, I was hitting him up for something else, even if itwasonly advice.
But did he realize that? I mean, he understood that I wasn't expecting him to fix my car, too?
Oh, God. What if he didn't?Regretting that I'd even mentioned it, I gave him an apologetic smile. "You know what? Sorry. Forget I asked."
"Why?"
"Because I shouldn't have."
"You shouldn't have what? Asked about the car?"
"Right. Definitely." I hesitated. "But just so you know, that wasn't a hint for more 'free labor' or anything. I was just curious what you thought, because you looked at it the other night."
I forced some cheer into my voice. "But you know what? It'll all work out. So, never mind."
He gave me an odd look. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
He waited, as if expecting a better answer than that.
When the silence grew too heavy, I finally admitted, "Alright, I can tell that you're mad, not that I blame you. I mean, no one likes a mooch, right?"
"A mooch?"
"You know. A freeloader. A user. Whatever." Feeling guiltier than ever, I turned away and gazed out over the lawn. "Already, you've done me a huge favor, and I don't want you to think I'm not grateful."
"It wasn't a favor," he said. "It was a deal. Remember?"
I was still looking at the lawn. "I know that's what you said. But it doesn'tfeellike a deal."
"Why not?"
"BecauseI'mgetting the better end of it."
"That's your opinion, not mine."
Again, I turned to look at him. In spite of his words, the anger was still there. I could see it in his eyes, just as I could see the muscles of his neck, corded into tight knots.
When I made no response, Joel gave a slow shake of his head. "You think I'm pissed about the car?"
"Aren't you?"
"Yeah. But not at you." He studied my face. "You really don't get it?"
"Get what?"
Ignoring my question, Joel asked, "How have you been getting to work?"
"I've been riding my bike. Didn't you know?"
"No," he said. "I didn't."
"Really? Even though you've been stuck carting me around?"
