Page 115 of Blindly Yours

“That’s me,” Nate repeats his earlier line, but this time with even more sarcasm as he heads back toward the tire with the jack.

“Nate, please…” I try to follow him, but he pushes his hand out abruptly to stop me.

“Stay away from the road,” he growls as a car speeds past much too closely.

My stomach leaps and I step back quickly. I glance down the road and catch sight of his truck parked behind us. I don’t know how I didn’t see him pull up. I can just barely make out the top of Kara’s head in the backseat.

“Please, let me explain,” I try again, wiping damp strands of hair from my forehead and stepping forward to the back corner of the bumper as more cars fly past.

“Seriously.” Nate raises his voice and points toward the empty field. “Get back.Please.” The last word comes out hoarse, and I comply, retreating away from the road.

I stop in the grass just before the field and watch cars and trucks shoot past, going at least fifty, much too close to Nate, who’s crouched down and out of sight on the other side of Malcolm’s BMW.

As the rain slows to a faint drizzle, I run my hand through my hair again and glance at the truck. Kara has spotted me and is waving frantically out the window. He probably told her to stay put, but she’s trying desperately to catch my attention, so I muster up a smile and give her a small wave.

Malcolm comes to stand next to me and crosses his arms as we both watch the road. “You’re dating the handyman?”

I close my eyes and shake my head. “He’s the building manager.”

“And your parents are ok with this?” he asks.

“Please, justshut up, Malcolm,” I plead. “You’ve done enough today. Please just stop talking.”

“What? Because I gave you a ride home, he’s gonna get all jealous? That’s his problem.”

“You had your hand on my thigh!” I hiss at him. “I’ve told you a thousand times now,we’re done. Yet you keep pushing.” I pause and eye him sharply. “It’s getting creepy. So, knock it off.”

He looks slightly taken aback for a moment like he didn’t realize he’d gone too far, but he quickly plasters annoyance on his face. “Fine, whatever, Rose. I’m done trying. But don’t come crawling back when the novelty wears off and the handyman doesn’t do it for you anymore.”

“Great, now leave me alone.” I take a step away from him.

We both stand in silence for a few more minutes before Nate rises and loads the flat tire into the trunk.

Malcolm moves toward him and pulls out his wallet. “What do I owe you?” he grumbles.

Nate waves him off. “No idea. I’m just doing a favor for Craig. Check with him.” He glances at me with tired eyes. “You two should be good to go now.”

Oh, he’s delusional if he thinks I’m riding home with Malcolm after this.

“Can you take me home?” I ask carefully.

His jaw tightens. “You already have a ride, and I need to get Kara home .”

I hold his gaze. “I’m not going with him. Can we please talk about this?”

Malcolm, who is apparently too bored to hear any more, grabs my bag from the passenger seat, sets it on the wet ground, and then climbs into the driver’s side. He starts the engine and pulls away without a word.

Nate sighs and turns to his truck. “Get in.”

TWENTY-SIX

Nate

Rose grabs her wet bag from the grass and climbs in next to me as I wipe the dirt from my hands on a spare rag I keep in the center console. I’m completely soaked through from the rain now, and this was not how I planned my afternoon.

“Rose!” Kara squeals from the backseat. “Dad, did you know it was gonna be Rose?”

“No.” I start the engine and check my mirrors as I pull back onto the road and point us toward the city—the opposite direction from home.

---