Page 23 of Destined To Fall

I shrug.“The ego’s a work requirement, I guess. I stopped registering compliments years ago. I’m a little numb to them now.” But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it when Jeremy called me beautiful. It felt more real.

“I guess you can get sick of hearing it all the time.”

“You have no idea. It becomes so monotonous.” I shoot him a wry grin, sarcasm practically dripping from my tone.

“I’ll have to change it up, then.” He gives me a lopsided smile.“I never know when you’re being serious, but I’m starting to.”

“I’m always serious.”

“You’re so full of it.”

“See? You’re learning already. Life is too boring and too much work to be serious all the time.” I smile.“They’re just words, you know? It’s all only skin-deep—beauty, that is. Besides, it’s a mask, a costume, part of a uniform. You can do wonders with war paint.”

“War paint?”

“Makeup.” He looks at me, dubious.“Never mind.” I wave him off. Explaining the art of contouring to a man would be like trying to teach a fish how to fly.“On a serious note, I think I’m kind of nervous.”

“Nervous? Why?”

“First, I don’t want to break my bank account, and he’s stupidly talented. Normally, I’m the most talented one in the room.” I wink, making Jeremy snort.

“Luke is prettylaid back. He’s just a guy who’s crazy gifted with his hands.”

“Is that right? Well, in that case…”

“Hey, hey. You’re my ride, no switching teams.”

I titter.“That would require having a team in the first place,” I retort.

“Mmhmm. Well, it’s just on the corner up ahead, so I guess we’ll see.” His tone is still playful, but there’s an undercurrent I can’t decipher.

Is this…jealousy? Is that why he’s been a little weird?

I pull up against the curb two buildings down and put the beautiful beast to sleep, but I’m reluctant to make a move.

“You ready?” Jeremy asks, having exited the car. He leans back in through his open door. I didn’t even notice he’d gotten out.

“Yes. Let’s go and bankrupt me.”

He’s still chuckling when he comes around to my side of the car, opening the door wider as I step out.

“If I promise not to let you spend all your money—you know, just some of it—will you let me drive this glorious bastard back?”

I grin at that.

“Unless, you know, you pick the wrong team,” he says with a grin of his own, but I’m not buying it.

“Jeremy, I don’t pick teams. Think of me as…the referee.” The goalposts might be a more appropriate portrayal.“I’m impartial.”

“They all like to think they are, but everyone has a team, Viv. Some just hide it better than others.” There’s more meaning behind his tone, but I’m stuck on something else he said.

“Viv? That’s a new one. My bestie was the first person to bestow a nickname on me. But she calls me Vee.” As in V for virginity, or lack thereof,in my case.

“Sorry. I’ll—”

“No, it’s fine. I kinda like it.”

“All right, then.” He beams, cocking his elbow out, offering it to me.

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