Angela moved the conversation with me: “Girl, you better not blow someone’s vein.”
“You’ll do great,” Ethan declared, causing Angela to give me a funny look while I proceeded to shove the rest of the burger down my throat.
Felon, check.
Nice guy, check.
Fuckable, check.
I was so screwed.
OceanofPDF.com
Six
After we swam and ate a bit more, we all dispersed back home. I needed to shower and get ready for my shift at Mickey’s. Ethan had insisted on following me from Angela’s to the shop on his bike, even though I’d had a whopping one margarita. Hearing the purr of his bike just behind me while I rode home made me wonder if this was what a normal relationship would be like. If Ethan and I were dating, he would probably be all protective and shit. But not in the domineering psycho way that Bryce was.
Maybe I should switch my major to psychology. Save on therapy bills.
After showering and dressing in a cute royal blue sundress I’d scored at Goodwill, with some slightly used all black Nikes, I ran a curling iron through my hair. Goodwill smelled like shit but you could find some seriously good stuff there. Rich people just gave shit to them like it was no big deal and I was definitely reaping the benefits of that. This dress was Express brand and I paid $4.99. The Nikes looked barely worn and were $11.99. I might never shop at a full price store again. It was just a waste of money.
After stuffing my mace, wallet, and flip phone in my new/used purse I headed to the kitchen to grab a protein shake.
Ethan was sitting at the table, a bunch of papers spread out before him.
“Going back to school?” I joked as I grabbed the protein shake from the fridge.
He looked up at me, his gaze running from my curled hair, down my chest to my ankles and I nearly melted.
“No, I’m not book smart like you. These are my quarterly taxes for the shop. When you own your own business, Uncle Sam wants to be paid every few months.”
His book smart comment bothered me, like he didn’t think he was smart. “You don’t have to be book smart to be successful. Look what you’ve done with this place.” I gestured around the shop. Every time I came out during business hours, it was full and seemed to be thriving.
He nodded. “Inner city small business loan got me started. We were in the red for the first year. Finally turned a profit after that. It’s been hard work and late hours, but it’s not really working if you do what you love.”
There was nothing sexier than a guy who was passionate and driven. He didn’t need to be a millionaire.
“You should be very proud.”
He nodded. “And so should you. Starting school when most would say it’s too late, working full time and take a full class load. It’s inspiring.”
His words sucked up all the air between us and I suddenly felt soseen.Like someone actually saw all of my hard work and determination…
“Alright, well, I’ve got a shift at Mickey’s. You stopping by later?” I changed the subject to something lighter. I couldn’t go there with him yet. I wasn’t ready to tell him my story. He and the Kings usually came by on Saturday nights, so it was a good bet he would be by tonight.
He nodded over his stack of papers, looking at me over a hooded gaze and those damn long lashes. “Once I get through this, yeah. I’ll see you there.”
I smiled. “’Kay.”
I turned to leave when he said my name. Hearing my name on his lips did something to me, especially when he said it so softly.
Spinning around, I noticed a dark and haunted look on his face. “I wanted to explain about earlier when you asked about me being arrested.”
Oh God.
He was going deep with me. He was going to tell me his story.
“You don’t have to. I shouldn’t have asked.” I held my protein shake, willing it to spill or create a diversion somehow so that whatever was about to come out of Ethan’s mouth wouldn’t. I didn’t want to bond with him any more than I already had. I didn’t want to feel closer.
