Page 109 of Truck Off

“Just when I thought I couldn’t hate Charlie more, you prove me wrong.” His words are meant in all seriousness, but they still make me chuckle. “I’m being serious. I wish I could take back my promise I made to you.”

“I know.” I smile and press a kiss to his lips. “I like seeing you like this. All worried and protective and caring. No one has ever cared for me like this before.”

He brushes my hair back from my face and deepens the kiss. His tongue licks across my lips and brushes against mine. Then he pulls away, leaving me wanting more. “I’ll always be here to keep you safe. I promise.”

My instinct is to tell him to not make promises he can’t keep, but I swallow back those words.

Instead, I focus on the conversation I had with Dad. I focus on my feelings. Being held by this man makes me feel safe. His words make me feel safe. The combination of the two makes me feel loved.

Maybe he loves me, and maybe he doesn’t. But right now, that’s not what matters. He’s here, and he’s holding me so tight it feels like he’ll never let me go.

I girl can hope—maybe even dream.

For now, Chase Mutter is mine. And that’s enough.

Chapter 26

Assholes, surprise visitors, and secret deals

Chase

Things with Lina this past week have been great. Really, really great. On her evenings off, we cooked dinner together for her dad. I stayed the night at her place on those nights. The rest of the time, she stayed with me.

I fixed a few things around the trailer that were easy to fix. I tackled that damn water heater that’s on its last leg. It won’t last long, but at least they have hot water again.

I took care of her electric bill and ensured they’d never go without power again. Even if things don’t work out between us, that’s something she’ll never have to worry about. I took care of a few other household bills, so all she has to focus on is her dad’s health.

The best part is Lina didn’t fight me on it once. In fact, she welcomed my help. She didn’t even complain when I showed up with enough groceries to feed an army. She’s letting me take care of her, and I love it.

She’s been so much more relaxed and happier now that some of this pressure has been taken off her shoulders. She’s lighter, more carefree, and has smiled more this week than I’ve seen from her in the entire time I’ve known her.

Fingers crossed, my next plan doesn’t cause the opposite reaction. Lina is a proud woman. It could go either way.

But first, I need to deal with my brother. I’ve put it off for too long, and I need to clear the air between us before my anger becomes a permanent fixture in my mind.

The garage is bustling with noise and excitement when I enter the back door, but I ignore all of that and head straight for the office.

“Liam,” I call out. “We need to talk.”

I find him standing next to his desk with his phone in his hand. He looks up at me and gives me a huge grin. Shit, he’s in a good mood. Too bad I’m about to ruin that.

“Hey,” he says. “I was just about to text you.”

“Why the hell did you take Lina’s money?” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him, ignoring the happy vibes filling up the garage. I need him to know how pissed that makes me.

He sighs. “I wondered when or if she’d tell you about that.”

“You should have told me. What the hell, man? Did I not make myself clear when I said under no circumstances were you to take money from her?”

“You were, but …” He runs his hands through his hair. “She’s very convincing. And kinda scary.”

I scoff and shake my head. He’s not wrong about the scary part. When Lina sets her mind to something, it’s best to just get out of her way and let her do what she wants. Otherwise, she’ll take you down as she plows over you.

I study my brother for a moment. He looks so out of place in the garage, dressed in clean khakis and a pale blue button-down shirt. He rolled his sleeves up, revealing his tattoos on his arms. If not for those tattoos, he’d look like a preppy boy.

“That’s beside the point,” I say. “You should have refused her and told her to talk to me. I would’ve calmed her down.”

“How was I supposed to know that? I assumed your relationship wasn’t that serious. Lina doesn’t do serious.”

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