Page 7 of Rio's Release

I give her a half smile. “That’s nice.”

She snorts. “He added two scoops of grape Kool-Aid to the pool. Our golden retriever is now purple.”

Her story works, and I can’t help grinning.

“Mom says he’s grounded for the entire summer.”

“She doesn’t mean that,” I say, knowing her mother well.

“Oh, I think she does this time. The dog ran into the house and jumped on the couch. Now it’s purple, too. My brother might never see daylight again.”

I snort. “Gee, you’re really talking me into coming over tonight.”

She giggles and turns into the lot of Blitzy’s. It’s one of those places where you can park and order at the little speaker nextto your car, or you can get out and sit at the tables under a low hanging roof at the front.

Jenny and I always order at the walk-up window and sit at the tables. It’s easier to watch the cars drive past that way. This place has always been a hangout for the kids in our high school. Now that she and I have graduated, it seems like none of our group comes here anymore.

She parks, and we climb out.

It’s dusk now, and I haven’t eaten dinner, but all I can think about is that ice cream. When we get to the window, Jenny looks over at me.

“Do you want a burger or something? I didn’t even think about the fact that you just got off work. I bet you didn’t even eat, did you?”

“No, but all I want is the ice cream.”

“Well, I’m getting cheesy fries, too.” She turns and smiles at the waitress.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, my friend wants a peanut butter cup blaster, and I’ll have a chocolate shake and an order of chili fries.” Jenny scopes out the menu over the waitress’s head. “Are you sure you don’t want anything else? It’s your birthday week. You should totally pig out.”

I feel a presence over my shoulder and turn my head, catching a glimpse of a tall man out of the corner of my eye. I can’t help twisting to catch a better look. He’s taller than me, and I’m not short. My eyes connect with a black t-shirt stretched tightly across his chest and muscled arms before climbing his tanned throat to his face. He’s gorgeous, with a dark beard,chiseled cheekbones, and light green eyes with crinkles around the corners.

He’s smiling at me. Then he speaks, and his voice is the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.

“Happy birthday, pretty girl.”

I flush pink and give a half smile. “Thank you.”

His eyes drop to my cheek, and his smile disappears. I guess my makeup didn’t cover the bruising. That or the cold compress didn’t help the swelling. I duct my head and face forward. Maybe we should have ordered at the speaker. But at the same time a nervous thrill shoots through me that he spoke to me.

Jenny leans on the counter, but at his words, she twists her head and takes him in, then faces forward and gives me a big-eyedoh-my-Godlook and a sly grin, bumping my elbow with hers.

The sound of tires squealing draws all our attention, and a vehicle barrels into the lot. I recognize my father’s pickup truck immediately, and my eyes shut in mortification. He’s about to make a scene.

“I can’t believe he went out looking for us.”

“I can,” Jenny replies.

There are several customers over at the outdoor tables, and they’re all watching him as he stalks toward me.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Shelby?” He jerks his head in Jenny’s direction. “And you. I saw you flipping me off, you little bitch. I guess since your father ran off, your mother just lets you run wild, huh?”

“Leave Jenny out of this. It’s me you’re mad at,” I say in a whisper. “We’re just getting ice cream.”

He points toward his pickup. “Get in the truck.”

The hot guy who was waiting behind us steps between me and my father.

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