Page 5 of Exposed

The hair on the back of my neck rises. The YMCA is closed now, so there’s no reason anyone should be in the lot.

The driver’s window rolls down, and I aim my pepper spray at the driver. Then, I recognize Matt’s blond hair.

“Easy, Pepper. It’s me, Matt.” He lifts two fingers in a wave like we’re old friends.

“Pepper?”I question.

“Yeah. You and that spray can are joined at the hip,” he chuckles.

“Youobviouslydon’t know what it’s like to be a young woman on a dark night then,” I snap.

“I’ve never used pepper spray, no, but it’s not safe for you to walk at night. That’s why I offered to give you a ride, obviously,” he throws the word back at me with a smirk.

Hmm. Good point. Matt doesn’t seem like he wants to hurt me. Maybe I should’ve taken him up on his offer. But what if he wants to hurt me? Ugh. I hate being in a position where I need help and have to trust someone other than myself.

“What are you doing here?” I question.

He parks his fancy Camaro in the empty lot and gets out.

“You’re not in the lines of a parking spot,” I point out.

“I don’t have to be. The Y is closed, Pepper,” he raps his knuckles on the hood of his car.

My eyes go to my beat up Mazda, the cheapest vehicle I could find in the classifieds section of the newspaper. My maroon hunk of metal is parked perfectly in the lines. I used to never break rules, but now, I can’t afford to follow many of them.

“Wanted to make sure you got home safely. Why are you parked in a YMCA lot?” He presses.

Bathed in the light of the nearby street lamp, his blond hair gives him an angelic aura, as if he's here to save me. He’s a chivalrous guy, but if he finds out what’s going on in my life, I don’t think he’d want to help me.

I look down at my black work shoes and roll my lips between my teeth.

“Saves me gas money if I keep my car in one place,” I mumble, fixing my gaze on the hood of myveryused car.

Also, I use the YMCA showers. Being homeless is a humbling situation. Two months ago, I would’ve never guessed I’d be here. Eight weeks later, and this is all I have.

“You have to keep your car in one place,” he slowly repeats. “Why not keep it at your house?” He counters, and I look back up at him.

“I’m crashing here for now,” I mutter.

He looks around the empty parking lot in disbelief. “You live in yourcar?” He asks, his eyes wide, then he shakes his head. “Nope. Not happening. Come home with me.”

I think back to the way he ordered around the drunk guy harassing me.

“You like bossing people around, huh?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Only when I’m right.” He gives me a flirty smirk.

“You’re so sure of yourself.”

“I’m confident,” he pushes back.

He’s different than other arrogant guys I’ve known. Matt actually protected me tonight.

“I won’t even get in your car. What makes you think I’ll go home with you?” I ask.

“My small town charm,” he says with a grin.

“You’re from a small town?” I ask.

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