What a loaded question. I didn’t answer her. She simply shrugged and disappeared down the stairs, her heels clack-clacking over the garage floor as she left. I slid my hand into my pocket, my fingers closing around silky material. When I drew out her ruined panties, the corner of my mouth quirked.
Fuck, Lyla Cash was going to be trouble.
On autopilot, I cleaned up the garage, trying to ignore the thoughts of what had just happened. I needed to make sure everything was in order for the next day. Not for the first time, I thanked my lucky stars there was an apartment upstairs as I took a quick shower. It wouldn’t be right to go and meet with Wes smelling of Lyla. He couldn’t find out about us, because he’d rat us out to Dre. Not because he wasn’t my friend, but because he couldn’t bear secrets. Since Andre and Jack had left, Wes and I remained close. We usually met up weekly, if he didn’t have plans with Scarlett. I couldn’t believe they were still together after all this time— the epitome of high school sweethearts. While all I had was unrequited. Or was it?
Putting Lyla out of my mind, I headed over to CC’s Bar. Wes was already there and had a booth. He waved and motioned for me to join him. Knowing this was a popular Cali Cross hangout, I quickly scanned the assembled customers to make sure Lyla and Ianthe weren’t there. I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized I was safe. At least for now.
“Hey, Maddox, what’s up?” Wes had already ordered us beers and I took a huge gulp, the coolness soothing me.
Oh, you know, the usual, screwed our best friend’s sister on the couch in the apartment above my garage.I swallowed the words along with the beer.
“Not much.”
“Evening, guys, what can I get you?” Adriana, a pretty blonde waitress I’d dated a couple of times, came over with her notepad. She fluttered her eyelashes at me and smiled.
Wes gave me a look, trying to signal something with his eyes. I knew his game. He thought I should ask Adriana out again. My hand went to my pocket where I had my souvenir from Lyla. I was so screwed.
“Hey, Adriana, I’ll have a burger with the works, fries and a side of mac and cheese.” I didn’t need to look at the menu to know what I wanted.
“Someone’s worked up an appetite today.” She was definitely flirting with me; her mouth curved into a broad smile.
If only you knew…
“Got a lot of work at the garage, need to keep my strength up.”
Adriana reached over and squeezed one of my biceps. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint you then.”
Suddenly uncomfortable she was touching me, I forced a smile. “Not now, Addy, yeah? Boys night.” I gestured to Wes.
She snatched her hand back as if I’d burned her. “Sorry… yes… of course. Wes? What can I get you?”
He ordered his usual, which was pretty much the same as mine, minus the mac and cheese. Adriana said she’d get us another round of beers as well. I glanced down at my glass, surprised I’d drunk three quarters of it already.
“You should give her another chance.” Wes watched Adriana as she walked away. “She’s a nice girl.”
She was. But she wasn’t Lyla.
Instead I shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.” I drained the last of my beer, ready for the next. “How’s Scarlett?”
Wes shifted in his seat. “She’s good.” He tried to avoid eye contact.
This wasn’t normal Wes-like behavior at all. Normally he would wax lyrical about how great things were between him and his girlfriend. I honestly didn’t know why he didn’t make an honest woman out of her. Maybe he’d asked and she’d said no. Even as I thought it, I knew that wouldn’t be the case. The moment Wes dropped down on one knee, the whole of Cali Cross would know.
“You sure? Everything okay between you?”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s all fine.”
Adriana came back with our drinks and I tried to placate her by being extra nice. She wasn’t buying it and went straight to serve a new group of guys who came in. I watched her flirting with them not sure if it was for my benefit or theirs.
We chatted about the garage and a couple of mutual acquaintances while we waited for the food. Problem with a small town like Cali Cross was everyone knew everyone’s business. I couldn’t risk anyone finding out about me and Lyla, so I had to be careful about what—if anything—I told Wes.
Another waitress brought over our meals and I attacked the burger like a starving man would his first meal in weeks. Hunger brought on by this evening’s unexpected exertions plus the stress meant I demolished the burger in about half a dozen bites.
“Did you hear about Jack?” asked Wes, popping a fry into his mouth.
In all honesty, I tried to avoid any kind of news about Jack Cairney. If I didn’t, the green-eyed monster in me took over. “No, what’s happened?” I said through mouthfuls of mac and cheese.
“He came off his bike in practice. Busted up his ankle and shoulder. Might not race again this season.”
