Page 50 of Blue Collar Hotties

This is what I had. What I brought to the table. She could borrow some of my boldness; I could take her out and show her the world while she still felt safe. If she’s doing that stuff on her own now… why would she keep me around? I’m nothing like the sort of man a girl like Jenny would want.

And I’ve all but finished the city project. Haven’t told Jenny that yet. Because once she knows my work here is done, she’ll expect me to pack up and go, to find someone else to rent the room, and I’m not ready for that yet. Can’t stomach the thought of walking away.

“Lincoln?”

Her soft voice cuts through my maudlin thoughts, and I jolt against the sofa. My laptop’s abandoned on the coffee table, the screen gone black, and next to it, my mug of coffee is cold. The living room curtains are open, and though it was bright when I sat down, the night sky is dark now through the window.

“Uh.” I clear my throat, scrubbing a hand down my face. How long have I been sitting here like a grumpy statue? “Hey, sweetheart.”

Jenny perches on the arm of the sofa, watching me. She bites her lip; she wriggles her ass, getting comfy. All signs that she’s building up to something.

I wait, hungry for the sight of her tight gray yoga pants and black sweater. She’s been wearing black more often lately—says it’s all part of her Lincoln persona. Dunno what to do with that information except for tuck it away somewhere deep in my chest. Besides, it makes her blonde hair glint gold.

“I, um. I’ve been going out a lot this week. Pushing myself to be braver, you know?”

Does she think I haven’t noticed? She’sallI pay attention to. “I know.”

“And it’s been good,” Jenny says in a rush, cheeks turning pink, “reallygood, so I want to, um. I want to take things to the next level.”

“…Okay.”

I mean, the racing track was pretty intense. Kind of figured that would tide her over for a while, because that wild crowd and those dangerous races, that was a lot to take in. Non-stop adrenaline.

“Where do you wanna go next, sweetheart?”

Jenny knits her fingers together and stares at the floor, but her voice is strong. She’s pushing herself even now, daring herself to be brave.

“It’s not somewhere I want to go. It’s something I want to do.”

Sure. “And what’s that?”

“Kissing,” Jenny says, the word a whisper. Her confidence bleeds away, her shoulders caving in, and the look she darts at me is terrified.

I stare back, dumbstruck. She wants to kiss someone?

Like… just anyone?

Or does she want to kissme?

Lurching to my feet, the floorboards groan as I start to pace. No, that can’t be right. She’s never even hinted that she wants me. Our living room is tiny, with barely enough space to stretch out both arms, and the air shudders out of Jenny as I prowl up and down, a private storm cloud gathering in our apartment.

“Forget it,” she mumbles. “It’s stupid. Lincoln, forget it.”

The laugh that bursts out of me is harsh. Jenny flinches.

And no, she hasn’t been scared of me for so long, and wecan’tgo back to that now. Not because I’m being such a fucking ogre. I turn and face her, arms folded over my chest, and though I know I should be gentler with my shy roommate, I can’t help the hard edge to my voice.

“You want to kiss someone? A random man?”

I sound like a jealous prick. Iama jealous prick.

Jenny shakes her head, her messy bun wobbling from side to side, and I pinch the bridge of my nose. Draw in a harsh breath. My head is pounding something fierce. “Is there someone particular, then? Someone you like?”

Lord help me, if Jenny asks for my help in landing her crush, I will fucking die inside. I may not be the one for her, may just be a random guy passing through as far as she’s concerned, but that doesn’t mean I’m made of stone.

“…No,” she whispers. Why don’t I believe her?

But then, why does it matter? I’ve got no goddamn claim on her. I either agree to help, or I don’t.

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