Page 11 of Stealing the Biker

“Just trying to help.”

“Fine.” I turn sharply, changing my direction.

“I’m parked that way.” Jimmy catches my wrist. His touch is rough and warm.

“I hate you,” I growl at him as he keeps pace with me.

“Hey,” he says softly after a moment of silence. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Do us both a favor and stop talking.”

I do my best not to speak to look at jimmy, the jerk. I can’t believe he did that.

Face pressed to the passenger side window, I need as far away from him as possible. I’m afraid I’ll strangle him if he even breathes near me right now.

“Are you still mad?”

I glare at him.

“Come on. Make the guy sweat a little bit. I guarantee he’ll track down your phone number and be calling tonight.”

“Whatever.”

“Trust me. Everything has a way of working out.”

He fiddles with the stereo, turning on some alternative rock. I glance at him from the corner of my eye as he taps his fingers against the steering wheel, humming and smiling to himself.

What’s he so happy about? Maybe it’s that he’s about to be off duty. I can’t fault him. I wouldn’t want to be stuck going to school if I had already graduated. I’m sure he’s not being compensated for his time.

I should probably be nicer, but I’m pissed that he ruined my chances with Jonesy. What if he already asked someone else, and I missed my one shot? I can’t even ask Sam to be my date to the dance. They’re going to visit their dad. I’m going to be going alone as usual. Story of my life.

Jimmy parks in front of my house and I jump out, noticing he’s getting out of his truck to follow me. Ugh.

I stomp through the back door, dropping my backpack on the floor as I kick my shoes off. “Dude. I’m home. You see my mom. You can leave.” I wave an arm toward my mother, who isstanding in front of the stove looking as if her day has been as craptastic as mine has.

“I’ve got my orders.”

“He’s got his orders,” I mock. “Why do I need some biker following me around school like a bodyguard stalker? Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was to explain to my friends? And then Jonesy Ripley came up to me at my locker and I thought he was going to ask me to homecoming. Then this jerk struts up behind me, leans in and grabs my books to carry them, so Jonesy walked off without asking. He thinks I have a boyfriend now. My social life is over. Ruined. I might as well join a convent and become a nun.”

“I was told to pretend I was her boyfriend and blend in. My girlfriend won’t be happy about it either,” Jimmy explains, like it changes anything.

“Great. Not only do I have to lose out on the hottest guy in school. I mean, he has these abs that I just want to lick. Now I’ve gotta worry about biker boy’s girl trying to kill me for fake stealing her man.”

“Kiesha,” my mom scolds. “The last thing a mother wants to hear is her teenage daughter drooling about licking some douche football player’s abs.”

“He’s not a douche.”

“I shouldn’t be sharing this, and you best not repeat it, but he has a baby. You know how I know? Because his son is in my daycare while his teen mom works at a fast-food joint. And Jonesy, with the lickable abs, doesn’t lift a finger. Because he’s going to college on a football scholarship, and he doesn’t have time for a job or a kid.”

My mouth drops open as heat fans across the back of my neck. “Is that true?” I gape at my mother, avoiding Jimmy’s stare. I’m sure he’s gloating on the inside.

Mom takes a hearty sip of her wine. “Yeah, honey it is.”

“That jerk.”

“Told you.”

“Ugh. This is why women become lesbians,” I grumble under my breath. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving and can Sam come over to do my hair?”

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