Page 94 of Space Junk: Houston, We Have a Hottie
“Plus Flynn took the time to punch out a famous baseball-playing asshat who happened to try and manhandle his lady love.”
“Rose, sweetie. You can’t make fun of Jackie and me for our romance novels anymore if you’re going to use phrases like ‘lady love.’”
“Please. I bet it’s because we just read all those romances that I’m talking like an eighteenth century lord.”
“Wait, hold up,” I say. “Flynn punched Brian?”
Rose rocks back on her heels. “Yeppers.”
“When? Why?”
“I think it was the day after he tried pushing you around in that restaurant.” She gives me a look. “And I think you know why.”
“But… he said…” I trail off, lost in my thoughts, and my reflection in the high gloss paint.
“Well, whatever my stupid-ass brother said, he did manage to drop Brian with one punch,” Rose says with disgust. “You’d think a professional athlete would be tougher than that.”
Trish walks up to me and places her hand on my arm, giving me a gentle squeeze. “Maybe you should go talk to him, sugar.”
I blink and look away from the car. “I’m an astronaut. He said—”
“Okay.” Rose butts in, hands out. “I think we can all agree that my brother has said a lot of stupid shit. But hedidstart working on this car before making his stupid line in the sand, and he did keep working on it after.” She shrugs. “So actions speak louder than words and all that, right?”
“Wait. Youknewabout this?” I ask, pointing to the car, my voice high-pitched and squeaky.
Trish stomps her foot. “And you didn’t tellme?”
“Shit.” Rose shoots a pleading look to both of us. “I, ah, well it was supposed to be a surprise.” She steps back toward the truck.
Trish follows after her, mumbling, “Ididn’t need to be surprised.”
“Okay, I’ll make it up to you, Trish-the-Dish.” Rose hops into the truck, smiling at Trish’s scowl. “Come on, let’s go to Cavender’s and I’ll get you some new boots.”
“Hold on. Now we’re going to Cavender’s?” I ask.
Rose shakes her head, blond hair bouncing. “Not you, honey. You have to stay here and figure out what to do about my idiot brother. Lord knows I don’t need to be around if you guys start going at it.” She mimes gagging. “And if you knee him in the nuts, I don’t want to feel obligated to step between you guys to keep the peace.” She nods to herself. “Yep, you two are on your own.” She leans out the window and thumbs over in Trish’s direction. “But apparently I owe this girl a new pair of boots. Buy back her friendship and all that.”
Trish scoffs and opens the driver side door. “You don’tbuy backfriendship, Rose. And you don’t have to buy me boots.”
“Oh yeah? So you haven’t been drooling over those ridiculous red-fringed boots? Or was that some other Southern midget?”
“Ooo, you mean the Liberty Black ones—” Trish cuts herself off. “Hey, wait a minute. I am not a midget!”
“Well you aren’t—”
“Where’s Flynn?” I yell, bringing their attention back to me.
Rose smiles one of her devious grins and I have a feeling my life is going to be a lot of fun with her in it. Exhausting, but fun.
“He’s having a big old manly cry fest at the ranch.”
“Ranch?”
“Yep. Holt texted me last night.” She gestures for Trish to get in.
With a smile Trish hops in the truck, turns over the engine and turns around in the small lot. Before she takes off, she rolls down her window and Rose leans across her lap.
“The West Ranch is on the northwest side of town.” She rattles off the address, then blows me a kiss.
