Or maybe I’m illiterate when it comes to reading Jonathan Reeves.
Chapter Three
Ifind Collin in the garage that afternoon, working on the midnight-blue Charger he and Jonathan have beenfixingsince freshman year.I’m convinced this car will never see the road, except from the bed of a tow truck.
Collin’s grandfather bought it for him as a project they could work on in the one-car garage on his property.Mostly, it’s a place for the three of us to hang out—despite the smell of oil and gasoline.It’s the easiest spot to meet since it’s located between us in the Bend—a section of town near where the river literally bends.Not exactly clever.
“Why is he lying?”I ask Collin as soon as I enter.
Collin looks up from under the hood.“You think he’s lying?”
“Don’t you?”I don’t try to disguise the frustration in my voice.I hop onto the work counter to adjust the radio to play something from the last decade instead of when our grandparents were in high school.It’ll only get switched back to the classic rock station when Jonathan finally shows.“How else did he get that cut?”
Collin stands and wipes his greasy hands on an already-greasy towel.
“I really don’t think he got in a fight after we left the party.And he would’ve told me if he broke some guy’s arm.”Collin pulls out a drawer in the tool cabinet and pushes items around in search of something that’s probably in a different drawer.
I lean back and swing my legs.“I know he didn’t break anyone’s arm.But he’s lying aboutsomething.He barely looked at us this morning.”
“He barely looked atyou,” Collin corrects, his words aiming right for my gut—silencing me instantly.Collin realizes what he’s done.“Sorry.That was low.”
I shrug, suddenly finding the grease-stained floor fascinating.
“How come I don’t know this new girl?”He opens another drawer, finally finds the attachment he’s been looking for, and returns beneath the hood.
I sigh.“Because I’ve been trying to protect you from her since the beginning of school.”
“Protect me or protect her from us?”Collin comes around the car to lean against the fender across from me, twirling the ratchet around in his hand.
“Protectyou.Trust me.I was assigned as her peer mentor.The more I got to know her, the more I tried to figure out a way to distance myself.She’s into everyone’s business.And the last thing I wanted—”
“Was for her to know about our business.”He nods, getting it.
“Exactly.I don’t trust her not to tell everyone.And it’s already complicated.So, until we can make it less weird, I’ve been avoiding you at school whenever she’s around.”
“Kinda noticed,” he says, his voice more hurt than I’m prepared for.“Thought it was because of Jonathan.”
And back to the dark, lion-shaped blob on the floor.
Collin sets the ratchet on the counter.“I forgot something… somewhere.”
I look up at the sound of a car door shutting just as Collin disappears out the side door.I can barely make out the person approaching through the clouded windows lining the garage door.But I’d know who he is, even in the pitch dark.
Forgot something, my ass.
“He needs caffeine already?”Jonathan asks as he shuts the door behind him.He walks over to the radio and switches the music back to the heavy guitar and screeching wails of the rock station.
Before I can jump off the counter, he’s in front of me, stepping close so his entire frame is between my legs.A shocked inhale catches in my throat, and his mouth is on mine.And he’s kissing me.His arms wrap around my lower back, and he tugs me against him.
I almost get lost in it.Almost.
Shoving my arms between us, I separate from him.Jonathan looks confused.Why doeshelook confused?I’mthe one who’s confused.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh… you tell me,” I rebut, crossing my arms.
Jonathan is genuinely perplexed.He studies me like he’s trying to read my mind.The exact same thing I’ve been trying to do forweeks.
