Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JESSICA
The bell rings as I step into the Reading Nook, my gaze still fixed over my shoulder at the traffic on Main Street.
People are sitting in their cars, windows rolled down, as they talk to one another.
Hell, some are even standing outside, leaning against their vehicles as they yell to somebody passing on the sidewalk.
What in the world is going on today?
Sure, it’s not unusual that people are friendly or stop by to chat. But a whole line of cars? In the middle of a Thursday afternoon?
“Hey, Jessy,” Becky greets as I step up to the counter. “How are you doing?”
“Hey,” I say absentmindedly, shifting my attention to her. “Good. I need to get groceries since my fridge is empty, but I figured I’d get some coffee in me first.”
“Coffee machine still broken?”
“No, thank God.” I chuckle softly. “I had one already but need another one after this past week.”
Becky grins. “You know I’ve gotcha. Work keeping you busy?”
“Yes, there seems to be some kind of bug going around, so we’re short staffed.”
Somebody honks outside, drawing my attention to the window. “Today sure seems busy,” I comment as I glance at Becky. “You have any idea what that’s about?”
Becky quirks her brow as she places my cup on the counter. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
Am I missing something? Usually, the town slows down between the Founder’s Day and Christmas setup, but it’s too early for that. We still have a few weeks before Thanksgiving.
“There’s a charity car wash happening.”
I turn around to find a girl around my age standing behind me, a kind smile on her face.
“I actually just came from there, and it was very busy. I had to wait for like a good forty minutes before it was my turn.” She wiggles her brows at us, her wavy, light-brown hair bouncing slightly.
“But the view was totally worth it. Those boys are fine. I might have to stay more than the planned day here.”
A charity car wash?
“Oh, you’re visiting?” Becky smiles at the woman.
“Yes. I’m doing a road trip while I work on my thesis. One last adventure before I have to find a real job and all that.”
“That’s exciting. Welcome to Bluebonnet Creek, then. What can I getcha?”
The girl rattles off her order, and Becky grabs a to-go cup, getting to work. The girl shifts her gaze from Becky to me. “Anything interesting I should check out while here?”
“Thursdays are usually fun at The Hut,” I tell her. “There’s live music, and decent food too.”
“Okay, good to know. I’ll need to check it out, then.” She nods, pulling out her phone just as Becky gives her the coffee and processes her order.
With another thank you, she walks out of the café.
“The car wash is for Duke, right?” I ask Becky once we’re alone.
“Yes. You seriously didn’t know?”
“Nope.”
“What are you and my brother doi—” She shakes her head.
“Scratch that, I don’t want to know the answer to that particular question.
There are just some things a girl doesn’t have to know.
Anyway, yes, the police station is doing a charity car wash to gather funds for the new K9.
It was actually Matthew’s idea.” Becky gives me a pointed look.
“Maybe you should go and check it out. It’s the only thing people have been talking about all day, and like you heard from the lady, the whole thing is pretty…
” The corner of her mouth tips upward in a smirk as she settles on, “Entertaining.”
It was Matthew’s idea?
Why didn’t he say something? Then again, we haven’t talked much after that day he came to me, leaving only a short note on my nightstand thanking me and saying he had to get to work.
The medical center has been busy, and I’ve used it as an excuse to keep my distance, and I figured he needed the same.
That morning with Matthew… It brought back some old memories, old wounds and feelings, and I don’t know what to do about it.
Still… he could have at least brought it up.
I’m his girlfriend, for crying out loud.
Fake girlfriend, the little voice at the back of my mind reminds me.
Because he wanted to show his boss he’s serious, I fire back.
Great, and now he has me fighting with myself.
But seriously, it would have made sense to tell me about it, so why didn’t he? A coincidence? Or did he not want me there?
The insecurity creeps in deeper as I say goodbye to Becky and make my way to the police station. The line is still holding strong, so I don’t even bother driving there.
While Main Street is busy, the street leading up to the police station is completely packed.
They haven’t just put together a car wash; there is also a little stand for the Reading Nook along with a handful of high-top tables. Rose is managing it and chatting with the people who’re grabbing some cold lemonade or brew and a cookie while waiting in line.
Chocolate chip cookies with a paw design on them.
And she’s not alone either, because right next to her little stand, there is another one featuring United Paws where Mae, Chase, and Kyle are standing with the dogs.
Seriously? Did everyone know about this except me?
That unsettling feeling is back in my stomach, squeezing tightly.
“Look who finally decided to show up,” Mae teases as I approach their table.
“Well, if I knew about it…” I mutter under my breath, but my best friend doesn’t miss my comment.
Mae’s mouth falls open as she pulls me to the side. “Wait, he didn’t tell you?”
“No.” I jab my finger into her side. “But neither did you.”
“Ouch. I didn’t know he hadn’t told you!” Mae protests, rubbing at the spot. “Nico came to me with this whole idea, and I was stuck organizing it all while I had to take care of another dog that was sick, so I had my hands full, but I would have assumed your boyfriend would have told you!”
“You and me both, and yet here we are.” I shake my head. “So Nico came to you, huh?”
Mae groans. “Don’t even remind me. I wanted to send him packing, but even I couldn’t do that when the idea was solid.
We brought Duke with us so people can see him.
He can do some tricks, stuff like that. It’s easier to get people to participate if they know what their money will be going toward and all that. ”
“I guess there is that.” I quirk my brow at her. “But what do you get out of it?”
“I can hand out flyers for the shelter, give them to people and maybe have some of them stop by so they can adopt a dog.” She pouts, and I have to bite back my laugh.
“How many people are interested?”
She rolls her eyes. “There might be a few.”
“A few, huh? So, he was right.”
“Don’t remind me,” Mae says on a groan. “And then, on top of everything, he keeps giving me knowing smirks all day long.” Her brows pull together, lips pressing into a tight line. “Just look at him. Smug asshole.”
I follow her line of sight, and sure enough, Nico is standing next to one of the cars parked in front of the station, talking to a few people, but every so often, his gaze darts to us.
Or, well, Mae. When he spots her watching, he flashes her a grin as he grabs the hem of his shirt and lifts it up to wipe his face, the motion revealing his abs.
“I guess it doesn’t hurt that the view is nice.”
Mae snorts. “I’ve seen better.”
Her comment makes me chuckle. “Liar, liar, pants on fire.”
We both know she hasn’t. That girl only ever dates artsy and emo guys. Tall and lanky. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her even glance at a guy with a little more muscle on his bones.
Mae shoves me away, glaring at me. “Shut up, Jessy.”
I sway on my feet, still laughing at her grumpy face and flushed cheeks, when I spot Matthew joining the group. He fist bumps the guys as they chat for a few moments, laughing amongst themselves. Then Nico slaps him over the head and turns him directly toward us.
I bite the inside of my cheek as we just stare at one another. Goosebumps pebble my skin under his watchful gaze.
I swear I can still feel his arms wrapped around me. The way my body molded to his as we held onto each other tightly. His warmth and scent cocooning me.
My throat bobs as I swallow, and I shift my weight from one foot to the other, unsure of what to do.
Should I go to him? Wave? Pretend I don’t see him and wait to see what he does?
Seriously, somebody needs to make a fake dating girlfriend manual on how to act in these types of situations.
Mae leans closer and whispers into my ear, “Just fake, huh?”
“Stop it,” I hiss in warning, but she just laughs and shoos me away.
“Off with you. Some of us have work to do.”
Sure enough, the guys Nico and Matthew were talking to are coming toward the stand.
I nod at them as we pass each other, my gaze going to Matthew, who’s still standing in his spot.
He’s dressed in a dark-blue tee with a Bluebonnet Creek PD logo and cargo pants, his clothes slightly wet from washing the cars.
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly feeling self-conscious now that we’re close together.
Chill-out, Jessy.
“You seem to have your hands full.”
The moment the words slip past my lips, I want the ground to open beneath me and swallow me whole. Because, really? You seem to have your hands full? That’s the best I could come up with?
“It’s been pretty busy,” he chuckles softly, looking around the parking lot. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Well, you didn’t invite me,” I shoot back, unable to hold back my annoyance.
Matthew’s eyes narrow slightly as he looks at me. “Are you pissed?”
“N-no,” I protest quickly. Too quickly.
“Trouble…”
“I think I’ll go.” I shake my head, looking anywhere but at him. “You have enough work as is; you don’t need me taking any more of your time.”
Turning on the balls of my feet, I start to walk away.
This was stupid.
Freaking insane.
I should have never—
A hand wraps around my wrist, tugging me back.
The sudden movement makes me lose my balance, and I stumble over something. I suck in a sharp breath, my lips parting. Matthew’s determined eyes meet mine, his arms gripping me around my waist to stop me from falling, when a blast of icy water slams into us.
“Holy shit.”
My heart is racing inside my chest as Matthew pulls me to him. I blink a few times, my drenched body shaking as I look up at Matthew, who’s equally as surprised as I am.
We just stare at one another, both of us trying to catch our breath, when he bursts into laughter.
I swat my hand across his chest. “It’s not funny!”
Still, I feel the corner of my mouth tip upward.
“It is so funny. If I had tried to plan it, it wouldn’t have turned out this way.”
“Oh my God, you’re such an ass!”
I try to shove him away, but he only tightens his hold on me.
“I said if I tried! Woman, chill out.”
His hand slides to my ass, holding me in place, and suddenly I become aware of how close we’re standing. One of his legs is between mine, and my nipples are hard from the cold, pressing against his firm chest.
His gaze falls to my lips, and I can feel soft tingles rising to the surface.
“Williams!”
We jump apart at the sound of the sheriff’s loud voice. He’s standing at the door of the police station and glaring at us, his arms crossed over his chest.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? There’s a line of cars waiting to be washed, which I’ll remind you was your idea. Get your ass to work.” His sharp eyes turn to me. “Your friend could help too, since you’re both wet as it is.”
I glance at Matthew, expecting that familiar tension that always accompanies him around Sheriff, but he just wiggles his brows. “What do you say, Trouble? Ready to get down and dirty with me?”
Screwed.
I’m completely and utterly screwed.