Page 122 of Ice Mechanic

“I should go. I was just finishing up here,” she grumbles.

“April, wait…”

The phone clicks.

She’s gone.

I drill my thumb into my forehead hard enough to bore a hole in my skull.

The internet is an evil, swirling vortex of gossip, sensationalism and fake news, and none of it ever mattered tome.

Until now.

Because that evil, swirling vortex of gossip matters… to April.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-FOUR

APRIL

Sweat dripsdown my nose and plops against the open collar of my jumper. I mindlessly brush my knuckles against my forehead and keep inspecting the spark plug for a solution.

I could coat the tips with engine oil or…

Hey, Tink.You really shouldn’t be working so hard.

I push Chance’s imaginary voice out of my head.

I could replace one of the tips with a new plug that Iknowis working…

Have you taken a break yet, Tink?

Ergh! I toss the wrench back in the toolbox and it lands against my treasured scanner with aclang!Grabbing a dirty rag, I wipe off each of my fingers, scrubbing them as if I’m scrubbing Chance out of my brain.

Sadly, I’m unsuccessful at both forgetting Chance and getting the stains off my nails.

Ever since I read about him and Fina, I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s like my brain is stuck on a bad song. Like I’m running as fast as I can, but I’ve landed in quicksand.

I don’t know why I’m like this. Chance’s latest scandal is proof that holding him at arm’s length is the right decision. Women will always flock to him. He’stheChance McLanely—a Beast and a Beauty on the ice. With his Prince Eric hair, his eyes the color of a midnight ocean, his warm, inviting personality…

Gosh! Why is it so hot?

I undo the top of my mechanic jumper and shimmy out of the sleeves. As the jumper peels away, the sleeves land against the bumper of the car. I stare at the sleeves, recalling the last time my jumper was trapped in the hood.

Take it off.Chance had said, his eyes a deep, dark blue.

Prickles run up my skin.

My heart pounds.

I slam my fist against my chest. “Behave.”

Chance-related adrenaline spikes are not allowed.

Thinking of him is not allowed either.

I keep working until the engine in front of me starts to blur. Setting aside the wrench, I straighten, plant my hands on my hips and stretch my back. Spine-cracking sounds fill the garage.

---