Page 33 of Drifting

I lean away from him. “Dude, are you seriously this suspicious all the time? I didn’t lie when I said I grew up in my Uncle Brett’s garage. It’s called Winter’s Garage, and it’s in Strathmore. Look it up if you don’t believe me. As for knowing how to fight, my uncle made my cousin and I take karate lessons because he wanted us to be safe working in a male-dominated business. I don’t know or care who you are,” I snap.

That’s a lie, though. Him being so suspicious makes me want to know why. I’ll ask Nick later.

He rubs his hand up and down his leg. “What are you doing Sunday?”

What? Talk about whiplash. He accuses me of playing some game, and now this?

My mouth falls open. “Are you seriously asking me out?”

“Are you busy or not?” he grumbles.

“Why?” I question hesitantly.

He’s not the only one who gets suspicious.

He huffs. “I want you to come over to my shop. Something’s wrong with my car. The engine won’t turn over.”

I sit there staring at him, at a loss for words for a bit. “I must say, you surprise me. You want my help? You don’t seem like the type of guy to ask for help much.”

“I don’t.” His face gets serious. “And never from a woman.”

I raise my bad arm. “Not sure I can be a lot of help. My cousin, Cin, is who you want. She’s the mechanic genius. I just…”

Nu-ah. Not going there.

He glances at me curiously. “You what?”

I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter. She’s who you want.”

He crosses his arms. “Call her.”

He doesn’t believe me. He still thinks I’m trying to pull one over on him. Who the hell is this guy?

“No phone.” I lift my hand in a who cares gesture.

His dark eye squint at me. “What girl doesn’t have a phone?”

There he goes again. I blow out my checks. “Only had one phone that I shared with my cousin. She took it with her.”

The big oaf doesn’t need to know all the details.

When he shifts to get his phone out of his back pocket, I stop him before he pulls it out. “Can’t call her. The phone’s been shut off.”

He huffs. “Let Nick know if you ever get a hold of her.” He stands and walks away a bit before he stops. “If I find out you’re not who you say you are, I’ll come after you.”

Then, he continues on between the cars.

I scrub my face. Holy shit, that guy’s confusing. I know Nick said he doesn’t trust easily, but damn. I need to remember to ask Nick who the hell Dom is.

CHAPTER NINE

“Shelby, you need to wake up. Peter will be ready in thirty minutes to take you to tour the school and register for classes!” Patty screams through the door the next morning.

Shit, I forgot.

“I’ll be ready!” I throw off my covers and wince in pain.

Ow! That fall last night made my body stiff.

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