Page 37 of Forever & Always You
“Maybe you’re all I need,” I say, smiling sweetly at him.
“Cute,” Austin says, but it’s not enough to distract him from his psychoanalysis of me, because he immediately adds, “Don’t ignore everything I just said. What’s up, loser? What’s the deal?”
“There is no deal,” I say with a shrug.
“From one former loser to another,” Austin says, “it’s not fun.”
We pull up on the roadside next to the auto repair shop, and I wait patiently in the car as Austin heads inside to hunt down one of mechanics. I’m useless at these things. My father took care ofeverything, for all of us, all of the time. When it came to signing the lease for my apartment, Zach had to walk me through every step of the process, and he only knew because Dad had walkedhimthrough every step once. Dad took a lot of pride in taking care of his family. Mom never stressed over a single thing, and any issues Zach and I had growing up were resolved quietly andquickly.
I’m getting better at doing things for myself, though. I changed my flat tire on my own. I’m dealing with my property manager on my own. Fixing my mistakes on my own.
Austin returns, throwing open the passenger door and pressing his hands to the roof of the car as he bends down to look at me. “They’re going to check it out, but we need to leave it here for a bit. You up for a walk?”
I stare up at him from the safety of my passenger seat, legs crossed lazily. “A walk?”
“That thing you do with your legs when you cover ground.”
“When did you become such a smart-ass?”
“I’m only a smart-ass to you, loser,” he says, then extends his hand to me. “We can’t wait around for hours. My parents live not too far from here, and I haven’t seen them in a couple of weeks, so I was thinking .?.?.”
“You want to take me to meet your parents? So soon?” I bat my eyelashes at him.
“You’ve already met them,” Austin says, forcing his hand into mine and yanking me out of the car. He’s so strong, it only takes one swift pull to have me on my feet in front of him. “Granted, it’s been a while.”
I tilt my chin up to look at him, so close to one another our chests almost touch. “You think they’ll remember me?”
Austin’s gaze dips to my lips. “You’re pretty unforgettable, Gabby.”
I have to look away, because I’m blushingagain. He’s right, I do enjoy when he’s mean to me, but I think I love when he’s sweet even more. And thanks to his conflicting feelings about me, I get both.
“How far is their house from here?”
“Fifteen minutes, maybe, but with your short legs to contend with .?.?. make it twenty.”
“Ugh,” I whine, stepping around him. It’s hot as hell today, and this humidity is going to send my curls haywire. “When I show up at your parents’ house looking like a sweaty rat with hair that’s doubled in volume, it’s on you.”
Austin slams my car door shut and says, “But I like helping you work up a sweat.”
I glower at him, but I’m smiling at the exact same time. Actually, I love it when he flirts even more than when he’s mean and when he’s sweet. Maybe I just love everything about him. “How about you don’t turn me on when we’re en route to your parents’? That’d be really great, thanks. Which way?”
“This way,” Austin says, heading left down the street as I fall into step by his side. “And I think .?.?. Nope. Can’t follow that instruction. By the time we get home later, I want you begging for me.”
I immediately stop walking. “Oh my God. Whoareyou?”
Austin also stops, turning around to look back at me with an incredibly sexy smirk. “I’m very clear with my words these days. If I want something, I’ll make that known. Even plead for it.” He cocks his head to one side in amusement at the flash of heat I’m suffering through. “Aw. Are you shy, Gabby?”
“No, I’m just .?.?.” I splutter, but I don’t even knowwhatI am right now. Turned on, for starters, but nowhere near confident enough to flirt back. I flirt via suggestive innuendos. Austin flirts very literally.
“Just what?” he presses.
“Just getting used tothis,” I say, gesturing between us. I can’t believe this is my Austin saying these things to me. We used to hunt out lizards together as kids, for God’s sake.
“And are you complaining?”
“Definitely not complaining.”
He grins. “Then shut the fuck up and come here.”
