“It’s not a question, Jessie. I can fix your car cheaper than any shop in town, and I literally have nothing else to do. Let me help you.”
Gran’s words flash back to me.You know it’s okay to ask for help sometimes, Jessie.
“Okay. Thank you. But I’m paying for the parts and don’t think I need you running to my rescue all the time. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
“Aw. Jessie, you’re cute when you’re feisty. Don’t worry, I can’t run anywhere right now. Best I can offer you is a brisk walk.” He winks before slipping on his sunglasses and putting the truck in drive.
We’re pulling onto the street when he says, “I’m going to turn off the radio. I don’t want you getting any ideas.”
I punch him in the shoulder—hard.
He just laughs, which unfortunately, has me laughing.
I know I can’t sing for shit, and I don’t even care that he’s pointing it out. I’ll just use it to torture him now.
Chapter 6
Trey
May
Trey
I fixed the dryer. I’ll throw a load in for you.
Jessie
Touch my underwear and I’ll strangle you with them.
Trey
Kinky, I like it ;)
Jessie has avoided me like the plague the last two weeks. I don’t know if the amount of shifts she’s working is her normal schedule or if she’s taking extra to get out of the house. Either way, Kacey was right—she works insane hours.
It’s not like I’ve been much better. Between hanging out at the ranch, going to the gym, and hiding in my room playing Xbox, I’ve avoided her as well.
My back is feeling way better since the steroids the doctor prescribed, and I’ve started light exercise and PT at the gym. I’m still not close to being able to ride, but daily life is mostly pain-free, and I’m confident I’ll be back by the Fourth of July run of rodeos.
I roll over and tap my phone, checking the time. Eight o’clock in the morning. Jessie should be home by now. She’s back on night shifts this week and normally off at 7 a.m. I thought after a few weeks of living together, things wouldn’t be so awkward, but boy, was I wrong. I feel like an outsider who’s making her uncomfortable in her own home, and I hate it.
The few times we have been in the same room for longer than a minute or two have been suffocatingly silent. Except for the time I did her laundry or touched her underwear, as she called it. That time, she yelled. I was just trying to be helpful, but she got really mad and I got really horny. That probably didn’t help.
I’ve been trying to stay busy. After I fixed her car, I started working on the house, mostly small things that don’t cost much and she might not even notice, but I need something to do. Orsomeoneto do. I’m bored and aroused. I open my dating app and start swiping.
No . . .
No.
A redhead . . . Ugh, no.
I close the app. There is only one freckled face, one curvy body, one wildly beautiful woman who haunts my fantasies every night. And I’m forced to fist my cock in the shower.
I’ve never lived with a woman. I was hoping my infatuation with her would go away if we lived together. Unfortunately, it’s done the opposite. I understand why her little sleep shorts that her ass peeks out of turn me on, but I never dreamed Jessie in scrubs would, too. I discovered this last week as I sat at the kitchen table hiding my boner.
I am so fucked.
I throw on gym clothes and hit the bathroom before heading to the kitchen. When I reach the living room, I stop in my tracks. Jessie is asleep on the couch, fully dressed, including her shoes. It must have been a busy night at the ER, and she was too tired to make it to bed.
