Page 92 of The Wrong Quarterback

“Doing what?” I asked with a grin, because I was pretty sure I knew what she was going to say.

“You’re talking crazy,” she said, hovering by my lips, so I had no choice but to kiss her until she couldn’t breathe.

I love youwas trying to burst out of my chest, but I held it in.

I’d said it to her when we had sex, but something told me saying it again right then…it would probably drive her over the edge.

Soon, I told myself. Soon I’d be able to say it whenever I wanted.

And she would believe me.

The night was still, the parking lot empty and quiet under the glow of the streetlights as I walked up to her car. Her car was what you called…a piece of shit. It already sputtered when she started it, and every time she hit a bump, it rattled like it was going to fall apart. It was barely hanging on, which tonight was very helpful. Casey got into this car every time and expected it wouldn’t start.

Tomorrow, her expectations would be met.

I popped the hood, glancing around to make sure no one was around to get curious. I’d spent enough hours working in a mechanic’s shop back in high school to know my way around an engine, even if my boss had been a dick. Loosening the negative cable on the battery terminal was easy—just a quick twist, and it wobbled enough to disconnect. It would look solid from above, like nothing was off. I grinned, then reached for the ignition fuse and pulled it out for good measure, pocketing it. That’d buy me enough time to make sure she wasn’t heading to the cemetery alone again.

It wasn’t healthy for her to go there alone. She was used to handling everything by herself, but that didn’t mean I had to let her take off whenever she felt like burying herself in that place. Not without me there, to ground her, to keep her steady.

As soon as she trusted me, I’d get her a new car. One that didn’t look like it was one pothole away from falling apart. My baby deserved better than this shitty safety hazard.

For now, though, I needed her safe, and I wasn’t above a little sabotage if that’s what it took.

I closed the hood with a firm click, straightening up as I looked up at the night sky, a grin spreading over my face.

CASEY

I slid into the driver’s seat, turning the key and…nothing. The engine didn’t even try to turn over. Groaning, I smacked the steering wheel and leaned my forehead against it, trying to think.

I didn’t have the money to fix this junker right now, and calling Mama for help wasn’t going to get me anywhere—even if she actually answered. I sat there for a moment, tapping my fingers on the wheel, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten.

Finally I got out, accepting that snack shopping was not going to happen. Right as I’d slammed my door shut, I heard the rumble of an engine, and Parker’s truck pulled up next to me. He rolled down his window, eyebrow raised, that infuriatingly adorable smirk tugging at his lips.

“What’s up, baby?” he called, his voice all teasing, but there was concern in his eyes.

I sighed, leaning back against my car. “It won’t start,” I groaned.

Parker hopped out of his truck and strode over, glancing under the hood with that casual confidence that always seemed to cling to him. “Let’s try a jump,” he said, already grabbing the cables from his truck.

I popped the hood, watching him work, his movements smooth and familiar as he connected the cables. He slid into my car, turning the key a few times. But the engine didn’t so much as sputter. He turned to me, shrugging, that grin of his back in place. “Well, I gave it my best shot, but looks like your girl here is just not having it.”

I sighed, frustration building up. It wasn’t the biggest deal not to have a car, but it was definitely going to be annoying asking for rides. Parker nudged me gently with his shoulder. “Hey, don’t stress. I’ll drive you. Consider me your personal chauffeur.”

He flashed me that sexy smile, the one that somehow melted all my worries, every time. The words hovered on my tongue, the words I knew he wanted to hear, but I kissed him instead.

“You’re way too sweet, you know that?” I murmured against his lips.

He just shrugged, a mischievous spark lighting up his blue eyes as he opened the truck door for me. “You keep telling me that, baby, and it might go to my head.”

I got in, and he drove me to dinner, and I didn’t think about my car…even once.

CHAPTER 23

PARKER

The phone vibrated in my pocket, its sharp buzz breaking through the quiet peace I was sharing with Casey as we lay in bed. I sat up so abruptly that Casey startled.

My phone buzzed again, and my heart rate spiked.

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