Page 39 of Escaping Our Reality

That’s what Ineedto do.

So, what do I do?

I make a s’more for My Lulu. Because we all know I do what I shouldn’t.

Chapter 17

ELLA

“I still don’t understand why you drove out here if we are just gonna drive back into town so you can show me where you live.” Ry lifts the ballcap from his head, scratches above his ear, and tugs it back down, bending the bill around his eyes.

Today’s another mild day. And more importantly, another Saturday that I’m getting to spend with Ry—it’s been a month of Saturdays from when we first met. They say a cold front is coming through tonight, but the Alabama sun is blazing down on us right now. He’s wearing a pale-yellow, long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves pushed up his forearms. I love it when he shows his forearms. It is most definitely the sexiest part of him.

After his ass. And his eyes. And his hands. And his broad shoulders. And the firm sides of his ribcage that I rub when we kiss. I haven’t seen him without his shirt, but I bet he looks mouth-watering.

I need cold water. Now. On my crotch.

“Lulu, are you listening to me?”

“Of course, I’m listening. First of all, I knew we would be coming back to this side of town afterward. You may wanna see my place, but I can’t imagine you wanting to hang out there. When Janine left, Mom hired a decorator from one of those TV shows on HGTV. So, everything looks a little too fake ‘comfy and homey’,” I say with air quotes. “Plus, you said you were working on your truck this morning. I didn’t know if you wanted to give the truck a siesta for the rest of the day.” I run my hands acrossthe hood of his well-used, well-loved truck, and dangle my car keys in front of him.

His eyes light up like a Christmas tree. “No shit? You’d let me drive your car?”

I snort. “Why wouldn’t I let you drive my car? And before you go getting paranoid thinking I don’t wanna be seen in your truck in my neighborhood, you should know that I would drive down the middle of the richest street in the world with you and that truck. But I saw the way you looked at those stupid controls and gadgets last night when you walked me to the car and buckled me in. I just thought it would be a nice gesture.”

He leans over and plants a soft kiss on my lips. I immediately shift closer, trying to wrap my arms around his shoulders. He nimbly escapes my grasp, plucking the car keys from my fingers.

He jogs across the parking lot, unlocking my SUV and hollering at me before climbing in. “Come on, Lulu. What are you waiting for?”

Harlan’s laughing so hard he can barely stand.

I love to hear him laugh. “Well, Harlan, I guess that means it’s time to leave. I’m sorry your grandson couldn’t come see you today. You said he has the flu?”

“Yeah, whole family has a touch of it. I talked to my son last night. He and my granddaughter are doing better. But the boy and his momma still have a fever.”

“Well, I hope they get better real soon. Do you need anything from town?”

“I’m good, sweetie. You kids go have fun.”

There was a large wrecker dropping off a car for service when I got here this morning. It was blocking the area I normally park in so I had to park in the middle of the lot, closest to the gas station.

The damn gas station of my nightmares.

I’m still thinking of a safe way to find out more about the drug business and what that may have to do with my sister. Of course, I haven’t discussed any of this with Ry; he’s made his viewpoint pretty freakin’ clear.

I’m nearly to my vehicle when a guy rounds the other side of the dumpster, stepping in my way. It startles me and takes me a few seconds to register that Trash is standing in front of me. “Trash.”

“Well, look who it is. Sweet little Ella.”

I’m five-foot-ten, shithead. There’s nothing little about me.

“I thought that was your car. I’ve seen it here a couple of times, but you haven’t come inside. Why are you watching the station?”

He takes a step closer to me. His eyes appear more bloodshot than normal, and he reeks of stale booze and cigarette smoke. With a small hint of body odor. Despite wanting to put distance between the two of us, I don’t take a step back. That’s not what I do.

“She’s not watching the gas station. She’s here to see me.” Ry’s voice catches me off guard as he climbs out of the driver’s side of my SUV and slams the door. Loudly.

Walking over, he stands next to me, folding his arms across his broad, muscular chest. Trash can’t hide his surprise. He doubles over in laughter, grabbing his stomach. Ry takes a small step forward, angling himself in front of me.

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