39. Reese
39
REESE
With the spring semester underway, I’m picking up more hours at the bookstore to make use of my free time. There’s a lengthy gap between my morning and evening classes, and I could use the cash.
“Little Vann.” Those two words bring a grimace to my lips, and when I glance up from my notebook, I freeze.
Pure dread steals up my spine at the sight of Travis Walker standing right before me. The seconds that follow are excruciatingly long, and my nerves abound.
His dark gaze never wavers as he slaps a blue book onto the counter and slides it to me. “Thought that was you.”
Reaching for the book, my lips press together when his forefinger keeps it pinned to the wooden surface. Swallowing hard, I tug it free with more force than anticipated. To my immense relief, it doesn’t tear. Thank God.
“Was expecting you to be a no-show,” he goes on. “Given how many times your sister bitched about you?—”
“Don’t talk about my sister like that.” Without hesitation, I lift my head to glare at him.
“Don’t talk to a paying customer like that,” he mocks, his mouth curling into a sneer. “You should know better than that.”
This is the guy my sister likes? Him? How does she not see what a complete asshole he is? He comes off as a stereotypical villain in an eighties flick. He looks like a guy who’ll complain that his father will hear about this.
Lilian has dated her fair share of awful guys, but I never thought it would be this bad.
“Well,” I say, wetting my bottom lip, “I know you’re a liar.”
“I’m lying about the customer is always right policy?”
“No.” The slight tremor in my voice sends a pulse of frustration down to my stomach. I hate it. I wish I felt as brave as I’m pretending to be. Or that my nails aren’t digging crescent moons into the flesh of my palms. “I know you lied about what happened between you and Dane.”
Somehow, the air becomes impossibly colder. His gaze narrows into slits. I swallow past the lump in my throat and steel my shoulders.
“Is that so?”
“You were never injured?—”
“My broken arm that the psychopath gave me paints a different picture?—”
“You were never injured intentionally ,” I hiss. “It was done in self-defense. And I know you don’t have a scar, either. You were the one who attacked him with a bottle?—”
A loud slam halts the rest of my sentence. With both palms on the counter, he leans in until our faces are merely an inch apart. My pulse becomes skittish. My heart skyrockets to the moon. His eyes are impassive as ever while he studies me like I’m some sort of bug he can’t wait to crush.
Even so, I refuse to flinch. I won’t move a muscle even if it takes every last ounce of my willpower. He shifts closer, and I can smell the gum he’s chewing. It’s spearmint.
Still, I remain firm. That is until his breath grazes my cheek, and he’s getting too close for comfort. I stagger back a step for some much-needed space between us. Before I can reach for my can of pepper spray, he lets out a dry chuckle.
“It’s your word against mine.” His voice gains a mordant edge. “And nobody’s gonna believe the sad little charity case who’s easily scared of her own freaking shadow.”
Every muscle in my body seizes. Tears sting behind my eyes. “You’re an asshole.”
“Never stopped your sister from slobbering all over my knob before,” he states coolly.
Taken aback, my grimace is inescapable. “Lili has higher standards than that?—”
“Please,” he scoffs. “I can tell her to get on her back like a?—”
“ How dare you ? Don’t talk about her like that ,” I cry out as my rage blossoms within like an open flame. No one talks about my sister that way. No one should ever talk about any girl that way.
“You can take a girl out of a trailer park, but you can’t take the?—”
“Shut—”
“Back the fuck off,” comes a menacing growl. I wince and scramble backward as Travis holds up his hands. Marco shoves his sleeves up as he strides over and smacks his fist into an open palm. “Unless you need some fucking help with it.”
“Chill out,” Travis sneers. “We were just talking.”
“Doesn’t look like it to me.” A muscle in Marco’s jaw ticks. “You gonna back the fuck off now, or do you want your arm in a cast and sling again?”
Stunned, my breath leaves my lungs in a sudden whoosh while I remain rooted to the spot. I’m uncertain what to do. I should call Dane and let him know what’s going on, but the tension in the atmosphere is so thick that any abrupt movement might set them off.
Right now, they’re both just glaring at one another. Sizing each other up. Priming for a fight I don’t want to happen. I don’t like violence. Also, there are so many displays nearby that if they escalate further, my coworkers and I will be saddled with cleaning everything up.
“You threatening me?” Travis hisses.
“I’m promising you,” Marco retorts, and Travis puffs his chest. I don’t know why he’s entertaining this pissing contest. Marco has at least fifty pounds on him.
It must have finally dawned on him, too, because his expression shifts with a nervous swallow. “Whatever,” he sneers, snatching the blue book from the counter. “Go threaten someone else like your buddy does. I’m out.”
My anger sparks up, but he storms out the door before I can get another word in.
“You good?” Marco’s words snare my attention, and my mouth flattens into a frustrated scowl.
“He didn’t pay.” Why am I even surprised? This is the same guy who was saying all those degrading things about my sister just minutes ago. What does she see in him ?
“Don’t worry about it.” With a weary sigh, he places his Scantron down. “I got it.”
“Oh, no. It’s fine.” I wave him off and put on a light smile. “We have change left out for a reason.”
His brows furrow as his tongue clicks a beat. “Always annoying when they think they can get away with anything, huh?”
I sneak a peek at the sliding door, and my shoulders sag. “It is.”
“He didn’t give you that much trouble, did he?”
Something watery graces my lips. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
He cracks a grin. “No joke, you sound just like Dane right there.”
A soft peal of laughter bubbles out of me. “Guess he’s been rubbing off on me, huh?”
“I think you’re rubbing off on him, too,” he muses with a quiet chuckle. “Didn’t realize he was capable of smiling for more than a second.”
My heart beats erratically faster, and I don’t bother fighting the dorky smile flitting across my features while I ring him up. “If you stay around, Dane should be here soon to pick me up.”
“Nah, that’s all right.” He shakes his head. “I’ve seen his cranky ass more than enough times now. I can go one day without it.”
I snort before I can help myself. “What was he like? Back then?”
“Loyal,” he answers without missing a beat. “If I had to use one word to describe him.”
The corner of my lips tips even higher. After hearing my sister rant my ears off about what a bad guy he is, it’s nice to hear something kind about Dane for once. “He is loyal.”
“Like a damn dog,” Marco teases, his brown eyes crinkling at the edges. “If you’re worried he’ll step out on you or?—”
“Oh, I’m not worried about that,” I say. “I don’t wanna come off too presumptuous, but I think he has a soft spot for me.”
“He cares about you,” Marco says, and it’s evident my joke went over his head.
“Yeah, I know.” A fluttering warmth unfurls in my chest as my thoughts go to Dane, unbidden. “Would you mind telling my sister that?” At the sight of his confused frown, I laugh it off. “I’m just kidding.”
Although, it would solve many of my problems if my sister heard from someone else how great Dane is. Then again, she would probably shut it down before a single syllable is uttered. The only person who can even get through to her is me, and we’re still not on speaking terms. She’ll just keep leaving me on read, and honestly, I don’t really want to deal with that right now.
Like clockwork, Dane’s car is idling in the faculty parking spot when I exit the bookstore. I rush over before he honks and draws the attention of every student nearby.
Wedging my backpack into the backseat, I’m quick to remove my sweater before I climb inside. I’m instantly met with a sharp-edged whistle, and I peer sideways to see him lifting his sunglasses.
“Damn, Snack Mix,” he says. “How am I supposed to drive with you looking like the world’s best distraction?”
“It’s just a dress.” It’s the ditzy floral number Lilian got for me. The square neck displays my scar, practically accentuating it. I give him a reluctant glance, only to realize he’s not looking at it exactly. His gaze is a bit further south.
“Just a dress,” he echoes. “Did you always wear something like this?”
“Sometimes,” I admit, and he lets out another whistle. “When the weather calls for it.”
“The forecast calls for clear skies for the weeks ahead.” His pale blue eyes twinkle with mischief. “Feel free to leave your sweaters at home and wear all the short little dresses you want around me.”
Amusement zips through me. “Let’s not get carried away.”
“How you’ve managed to go nineteen years without a boyfriend…”
My mouth flattens into a grimace, and his playful grin drops. His expression shifts; the level of concern in his gaze sends a spell of weariness through me.
Leaning back in my seat, my eyes pinch shut. “I never really… liked that kind of attention.”
“No?”
“It’s…” With a shaky exhalation, I distract myself by thumbing the seatbelt. “Guys back home thought I was easy because my boobs came in when I was twelve.” A flicker of embarrassment I’m all too familiar with takes root in the pit of my stomach. “And because my family lived in a trailer. I was known as the RV slut. I’d get all these comments. Like, Mom’s boyfriend said… it was a good thing… my attacker didn’t, um, slice my boobs because that would have been… a waste.”
“Fuck him. Fuck all of them,” Dane growls, his brows slashing into a harsh line. “They’re all going on my list.”
I blink against my stupor, then groan into my palms. “Don’t tell me that list actually exists.”
He lifts a shoulder and shoves his sunglasses back on.
“Dane.” I frown when he doesn’t say anything. “ Daniel .”
“It doesn’t,” he promises, drawing a small cross over his heart. “I swear on my life, my bike, and my cars.” My lips twitch. “I’d never lie to you. But the moment you point out your mom’s shitty boyfriend to me, I will not hesitate to kick his ass.”
“I don’t want you to get into fights,” I argue, only for him to cut me off.
“Baby, I’m not getting into fights. I’m kicking ass.”
Heaving out a blustery groan for a long second, I resist the temptation to drag my hands down my face. “It’d be easier going to bed at night without worrying about my boyfriend getting hurt.”
“Have some faith in me.” He husks out a rough chuckle. “I can handle a little sting to my knuckles?—”
“ Daniel .”
“Damn, you’re really going to keep weaponizing my government name against me, huh?” He reaches over and runs his thumb over the hill of my cheekbone. “Promise you, if anything happens, they had it coming.”
I give him an unamused stare.
“Now, come on,” he says. “Daylight’s burning, and my girl threw a wrench in my plans for today when she decided she’d rather work than hang out with me.”
“And what exactly do you have planned?”
In answer, he winks at me. With a sigh, I lean back in my seat and try to figure it out on my own. Nothing comes to mind. All I know is that he’s driving toward my apartment, but then he passes by the building, and I’m stumped.
My phone dings just then, and I perk up, only to wilt when I see that it’s a scam text for vague remote work opportunities filled with grammatical errors and weird jargon.
“What’s wrong, Mini Reese?”
My lips wobble before I can help myself. Of course, he’d notice when I’m feeling down. He’s always been freakishly observant. “It’s my sister.”
“She finally texted you?”
“No.” I blow out a breath and drum my fingers against my upper thigh. “This is the longest we’ve ever fought.” And I feel troubled at the thought; a blizzard of emotions clashes within me. “I was hoping she’d at least respond when I messaged her about what he said earlier.” At this point, I’d have an easier time convincing a brick wall that Travis is a slimeball. With just the right amount of peas, I can perhaps persuade the pintail ducks on campus to make him public enemy number one.
“What did he say?”
Tears burn a fiery trail up my throat. “Just some awful things not worth repeating.”
He sighs, then takes a left turn into some random parking lot. I’ve never been to this plaza before, but the sorority girls swear by the Korean barbeque place up ahead.
Once he cuts the ignition, he gives me a thoughtful glance. “I don’t get it. How have you not made up with her yet?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, for starters,” he hedges, “it’s you.” His hand goes to the back of his neck. “Besides how you’re usually the type to smooth things over, for obvious reasons.” He pauses. “I can’t imagine anyone holding a grudge this long against you. Hell, you’re the last person on earth I’d ever want to lose. You have so much kindness in that heart of yours, and you still manage to see the good in everyone after everything you’ve been through. You’re an amazing girl, Reese, and anybody with a damn brain cell would recognize that and not fuck things up with you.”
Heat touches my cheeks as warmth settles deep in my belly. My heart thumps sporadically against my rib cage, kicking up a notch when he squeezes my knee.
“I hope she comes to her senses and fixes things with you,” he adds, and I crack a tiny smile. “Until then, let’s enjoy picking up the ingredients needed for our own gas station sushi.”
“Excuse me?” I rasp. A gradual flicker of horror works through my veins as I swivel forward and gawp at the pet shop before us. “Oh my God, Dane. I’m not eating a goldfish.”
Wild laughter erupts from his chest. His shoulders shake as he theatrically wipes away an imaginary tear. “We’re not, but the cat might?—”
“What?” I interject, bewildered. “Wait. Are you getting a cat?”
“We’re rescuing one,” he amends. “Orange. Chunky. Likes to sleep on the hood of my car when I stay the night at your place ’cause the engine’s still warm.”
My mouth falls open. It’s the only response I can make.
“Reese’s Pieces, we’re getting Onion Rings flea meds and a collar.” He breaks into a grin. “You have a habit of taking in strays, and I know you’ve been feeding him. Might as well make it official.”
I take a slow breath. I’m speechless. Utterly so. “What if he belongs to someone else?”
“And they just let him roam around?” he asks incredulously. “It rained last night.”
“I know. That’s why I let him in… We should check if he’s chipped first,” I stammer. “Before we make any rash decision. And… Onion Rings ?”
“Open for suggestions.” Amusement gleams in his eyes. “Root Beer’s a good name for the tabby, too.”
“How late are they open?” I peek at the storefront, then drop my gaze to my chest.
“I can grab your sweater for you,” he offers. “Or lend you my jacket if you want.”
With a slow exhalation, I turn toward him. “I’ll be fine.” My voice is a soft rasp and brings a flush to my cheeks.
“Fuck yeah, you’re fine. Fine as hell,” he says, and before I can even groan into my palm, he catches my wrist. “Now, come on. Let’s go inside before they close.”
Neither of us moves. We both remain seated, facing one another as he slips his hand in mine. Slowly, a beam overtakes my face.
“What’s making you smile, Snack Size?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yeah.” I bite my bottom lip while I trace aimless patterns around his knuckles. “You. You’re the best boyfriend ever.”
He snorts. “Not much competition there.”
“Still the best,” I insist. “You’ve done so much for me.” My smile abruptly fades when Travis’ words spring into my head like an unwelcome guest. Charity case.
Dane frowns and straightens his spine. His gaze rests on me as he draws nearer, and I go still when he slides his thumb underneath my chin. “Baby, you all right?”
I swallow hoarsely. Hesitation floods my system. “Be honest with me.”
“Always,” he responds right away.
“How much did it cost to”—I crinkle my nose when he emits a loud groan—“fix the Nova?”
His focus pivots toward the windshield. “I don’t remember.”
“ Dane .”
“Reese’s Pieces, I promise you,” he says, his tone gentle and soothing, “that money is of no concern to me. I have plenty to spare. I made some nice pocket change from my short stint with flipping cars. Besides, my mom left me everything. I’m one of ’em filthy trust fund brats.”
“I can’t have you spending all of your mom’s?—”
“She left me a lot.” He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not hurting for cash. I’ll get another huge chunk of my trust fund when I turn twenty-five.”
My attention cuts to the center console as uncertainty racks me.
“Mini Reese, I don’t want you to feel guilty about any of this, all right? My father got on my ass once about investing the cash I came into. He didn’t think I’d be responsible with any of it,” he explains. “If I’m not spending it on things you deserve”—his forefinger presses against my lips before I can interject because deserve is a strong word—“I’d be blowing it all on cars, anyway.”
A snort breaks free. “You would,” I tease, and he chuckles. “You so would.”
“If I can treat a girl like you the way she deserves to be appreciated,” he continues, “then I’ll do just so.”
“A girl like me?” I echo.
“Someone who’s kind, compassionate, and”—his gaze flits to my scar—“ strong .”
My breath hitches as I peer deeply into his eyes. “I’m not strong.”
“You’re plenty strong,” he whispers back. “You’re the strongest girl I know.” His hand goes to my arm, and he tweaks my biceps. “If I have to spend every day of my life reminding you of how strong you are? Well, baby, you better buckle up and prepare for the ride.”
An answering warmth blooms in my chest. My heartbeat stumbles over itself. My stomach swarms with a kaleidoscope of butterflies. If only Lilian could see how great he truly is, she’d understand why I love him so much.
My lips part around my silent gasp as my thought strikes me speechless. I love him. How can I not?
Before I can say anything—before I can tell him those three words—he leans over the center console and brushes a kiss on my forehead.
“Now, come on,” he murmurs. “Let’s go find Onion Rings the most badass collar.”
I smother my snicker, only to burst into sharp laughter. “I draw the line at studs, Dane.”
Amusement breaks out across his face. “So, we’re going with Onion Rings?”
“We’re going with Onion Rings.”