Page 124 of Jake Forever
Chapter 43
Parked in the employee lot, I'd just cut the engine and was preparing to go into work when a familiar male figure appeared just outside my driver's side window.
Startled, I gave a little jump and felt my heart practically leap from my chest.
It was Rango, the ex-boyfriend from hell. I glanced around, wondering where on Earth he'd come from. Around me, I saw plenty of vehicles, but none that could belong to him.
Those other cars were all too old, too dirty, or too modest. When it came to Rango's taste in anything, only the best would do.
But then again, who was I to talk? I was driving one of Jake's cars. It wasn't exactly an old rust-bucket.
Reluctantly, I returned my attention to Rango. His dark spiky hair was styled in its usual disarray, and he wore the same kind of designer clothes that he always wore. Through the glass, he flashed me the same boyish smile that he'd used on me the first time we'd met.
Back then, I'd been utterly charmed. Now, I wanted to whack him in the face.
With what, I didn't know, but I was willing to get creative. I looked to my right. Surely, there was something in the glove compartment.
The sounds of tapping on glass made me turn to look.
Rango called through the driver's side window. "Hey, open up."
Sure, likethatwas a good idea. Instead, I demanded, "What are you doing here?"
He made a circular motion with his hand. "Roll down the window, and I'll tell you."
I stared at him. "No way."
"Why not?" His lips thinned. "I'm not gonna hurt you, if that's what you think."
Honestly, I didn't know what to think. But I wasn't going to take any chances. "Then whatdoyou want?"
"Like I said, I just wanna talk."
"Yeah? Well maybe you should've called first." As soon as the words were out, I realized how incredibly stupid they were. One – I didn't want him calling me. And two – even I did, I no longer had a phone.
It was still missing, probably forever.
Outside my car, Rango said, "Very funny."
Confused, I squinted through the glass. Why was that funny?
Before I could even think to ask, he said, "You've made your point, so lay off, alright? That's why I'm here. To ask you nicely." He hesitated. "As a friend."
Okay, now I was really confused. For one thing, Rango was no friend of mine. And for another, what so-called point had I made?
I had to ask. "What are you talking about?"
"The phones," he said. "They're not mine. So stop calling, alright?" With an obvious effort, he summoned up a stiff smile. "Truce?"
I still had no idea what he meant. I studied his face, wondering what I was missing.
He gave me a pleading look. "Will you please roll down your window? It's really hard to talk like this."
He was right. It was hard. But after everything he'd done to me, I couldn't bring myself to care. "So what?" I said. "I don't want to talk to you at all."
He paused, as if thinking. "Okay. I can deal with that." He gave me a hopeful smile. "Then you're gonna stop calling me?"
"No. Because I haven'tstartedcalling you. There's nothing to stop. See how that works? And besides, you're a fine one to talk. You called me like a hundred times yesterday."
