Page 25 of Big Dix

“I agree,” he whispers as his eyes lock on my lips, and he slowly, so slowly, leans in like he’s going to kiss me.

Holy shit, he’s going to kiss me!

I’m nervous, horny, excited, horny. Yeah, I know I said horny twice, but damn, I am. Atticus’s tongue darts out, licking his lower lip, and his left hand moves upward to cup my face.

This is it! I am about to play tonsil hockey with Atticus freaking Dixon! I didn’t totally ruin my shot!

All the pretty lights inside the truck allow me to watch his eyes close and his beautiful full lips inches away, beginning to descend on mine. After everything that’s gone wrong, finally, the moment has come. I should probably shut my eye because if he opens his and sees me staring at him, like a one-eyed cyclops, how awkward would that be? There’s been enough strangeness between us already to last a lifetime. But this, this isn’t weird at all.

Could this be any more perfect?

“Mija?Mija, is that you?”

The taps on the window and my father yelling at me make me jerk and end up head-butting Atticus.

“Ouch! Sweet baby Jeebus. Lord have mercy! My head!” I rub at the offensive spot just above my right eye. How many more embarrassing injuries will I receive tonight while trying to make out with this man?

“Shit.” A small smile tugs at Atticus’s lips while he rubs his twin injury. “Woman, I’m beginning to think I need a liability policy to date you.”

Date me? We’re dating? I don’t have long to dwell on the meaning of his words. Another rap on the window reminds me that my father just cock blocked me. How embarrassing.

Turning in my seat, I find not only Poppa but Mama and Abuela, all staring at me through the tinted window.The gang’s all here.

I roll the window down. “Poppa? What on earth are you all doing outside at this time of night?”

“Neighborhood watch, Mija. What happened to your eye? Who is this you’re with?”

Poppa looks past me with a skeptical eye on the very large, very handsome quarterback taking up the entirety of the cab of the truck. The last thing I want to do is lie to my family, but the truth is not an option here.

I pat Poppa’s hand that rests on the door. “Poppa, I had a little accident and scratched my eye. Mr. Dixon was nice enough to take me to the hospital and give me a ride home. My eye is okay. I’ll be good as new in a few days.”

There. That’s not a lie.Please don’t ask me any more questions.I don’t want to lie.

“How did this happen?”

Crap. I knew he’d ask.

“Um, ummmm.”

Mayday. Mayday. I’m going down in flames.

I’ve got nothing. Literally nothing. I can’t use the bakery. I left before my family did.

“Um, you see, Poppa, what had happened was—”

“It was my fault, sir.”

I jerk my head toward Atticus.Say what now?

He pats my hand resting on the console between us. His rough, calloused grip squeezes gently in assurance.

I can’t wait to see what he comes up with. Let’s hope it’s not the truth or any form of it. Poppa may be getting older, but he is still very much capable of handling his own. That’s all I need… Poppa trying to fight the star quarterback of the Mountaineers.

“I invited Evelyn over for dinner, and well, sir, I’m not exactly gifted in the kitchen. Evelyn kindly came in to help me out, and in the heat of the moment…”

No, he isn’t going where I think he is.

He smiles at me and squeezes my hand. “As I was pulling out…”

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