Page 3 of Revved up & Ready

“And lost all our rent money?” I glance around the alley, making sure no one's watching.

A stern, dad-like tone creeps into his voice. “Excuse me?”

“I didnotlose our rent money.” I lift my hands to emphasize my point, realizing too late that now I’m just flashing Luke in a dark alley.

He makes a noise between a groan and a gag. “Dude, what the fuck?”

I cover up with my palms again. “Now we have rent handled through June because Iwon. Thanks for congratulating me, by the way.”

He throws his jeans at me with more force than necessary, and they hit me in the chest with a thud. “I could kill you,” he mutters.

The pants are a few inches too short and loose in the waist, but they beat riding the rest of the way home commando.

“We look like a couple of perverts,” Luke says, now wearing a leather jacket, boxer-briefs, and motorcycle boots.

I fire up my bike. “At leastIhave pants on,” I say, then take off before he can kick my ass.

Sadie

Nine and a half years ago, a frat party– Corvallis, Oregon

“Did that guy just flash me?” I ask, swinging a hand to my chest in offense—completely forgetting I’m holding plastic cups in both hands and splashingMalibuandCokeall over my pinkShow Me Your Williet-shirt.

“He did,” Devon says, recoiling. “Third one tonight.”

“Did not think this Halloween costume through,” I mutter, scanning the area for somewhere to put down my drinks.

“You really didn’t,” Devon agrees, eyeing me with a look that says,I told you so. Hercostumecould best be described ashot girl in a black dress who thinks she’s too good for this party, but showed up anyway.

A cute guy, a few inches taller than me but still shorter than Devon, steps in front of us. He’s wearing a pair of smiley-face boxers, fake tattoos, boots, and a helmet.

“Here,” he says, taking one of my drinks so I have a free hand to deal with my spill.

“Got any napkins tucked in there?” I ask, nodding toward his boxers.

“None in here, sweetie,” he laughs, “but I’m sure we can find something somewhere.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder and looks to Devon. “Can I steal her away?”

Devon manages to sip her drink and glare down her nose at him simultaneously, then looks to me. “Do youwantto be stolen away?”

“Sure, why not?” I giggle, leaning into his arm.

Devon nods, making ashould’ve-asked-herface. “And what’s your name?”

“I’m Jared—” he answers, pulling me in tighter. “Your friend’s new boyfriend.”

Devon scoffs, “You don’t even know her name.”

But I swoon a little inside.

Cam

Nine-and-a-half years ago, a dive bar– Ventura, California

“You think any of these assholes realize they’re dressed up as you?” Luke asks, finishing something behind the bar andnodding toward three guys wearing motorcycle helmets and some form of smiley-face underwear.

“Dressedupisn’t the right term—at least, it shouldn’t be,” I laugh. “No one has committed to the look the way I did.”

“They’re probably not trying to catch the indecent exposure charge you barely avoided,” Luke says, passing me a pint while wiping down the bar.

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