Page 13 of Don't Make Me Beg
“Unless she was painting or drawing,” Hazel adds. “I still have some of your old artwork hanging on the bulletin board for people to enjoy while they wait for their coffees.”
“I always thought you’d grow up to be an artist. You were always so quirky and free-spirited. A weird bird who danced to the beat of her own drum,” Lucy says, then quickly adds, “But I’m just an old woman whose greatest skill in life is baking cookies—certainly no psychic.”
Old Man Melvin lets out a loud snore, then Colleen shakes him with the arm she’s using to hold him up with. “Melvin. Wake up. You’re still standing up for heaven’s sake. Can you at least try to wait until we get home?”
She starts to leave, pulling Melvin along with her, and I realize I still haven’t asked what I came over here to talk to her about. “Wait. Colleen. Before you go… I was wondering if you have anywhere for me to stay tonight. I know you’re technically closed for renovations, but I didn’t know if maybe you could make an exception…just for the night?”
She’s quiet for a moment, twisting her lips as she thinks, and I feel all their pitying eyes fall on me. I have no idea how much they know, but I don’t want to add any more fuel to the rumor mill than I already have by showing up here with my suitcase.
Leaning in, I whisper, “I don’t have any money to pay you right now. But I’m sure I’ll be able to get it…or I can work itoff if you need help. Really, anything you can offer. I’d really appreciate it…”
“Oh, honey. Of course. It’s not much, but if you’re that desperate, you’re more than welcome to sleep on the sofa in mine and Melvin’s room. It’s the only habitable room right now since we’ve just demo’ed the back external walls and had the roof removed to add more floors.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, not wanting to appear rude but really wishing there was another option…likeanyother option…
A throat clears, and then I hear, “Why don’t you stay with me? I know you’re broke and clearly have nowhere else you can go.” I blink in confusion when my eyes land on the source of that voice. Luka stands just a few feet away, looking casual and nonchalant, like he hasn’t been sending me death threats with his eyes for the last thirty minutes.
He gestures to my suitcase that I’m clinging to and adds, “I’ve got plenty of room. Besides, what are friends for?”
My jaw falls open, and I don’t know if I’m more shocked that he witnessed my pathetic begging or that he offered me a place to stay. Either way, I find myself running after him as his long strides carry him back outside.
“Thank you for the offer, Colleen,” I call behind me, not wanting to appear rude for refusing her offer. Though it wasn’t ideal, I do appreciate her willingness to put me up for the night. I’ll have to stop by tomorrow and see if she needs any help.
Bursting through the doors, I find Luka standing beside a motorcycle as he slides on his helmet.
I stop dead in my tracks, causing someone to run into me from behind.
“You ready to go?” A cocky smile spreads over his face as he holds out a white helmet to me.
I fold my arms over my chest and take a step back as I look around, hoping someone will appear and give me a thirdsaferoption. “What are you… Luka, what is that?”
He looks down at himself, then back up at me. “Uh…my motorcycle?”
“Do you really expect me…to get onthat…withyou?”
“That is normally the way it goes when someone offers you a ride,” he says with a shrug.
I shake my head, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not riding on that thing. How do I know you won’t hit a bump just to make me fly off and fall down the edge of a cliff or something?”
He quirks a brow. “Do you really think so little of me? Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know…but judging by the way my day’s gone, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibilities. Don’t you have another vehicle around here somewhere? Something with doors and a roof?”
He ignores that question, throwing a leg over the motorcycle, then makes a show of looking around. “Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you needed somewhere to stay…but if you’re too good to accept my help, then I guess I’ll be on my way…” He starts to roll the bike backward from the parking spot, and I leap forward to stop him.
“Wait. I’m sorry. I just… I…” I bite my lip as I look at the tiny seat behind him. How the heck am I supposed to fit back there? And how on earth is this considered a legal form of transportation?
The opening of his face guard’s flipped up, and his eyes crinkle at the corners, telling me he’s wearing a smile beneath. And when he revs the engine and winks at me, I feel a shockwave of electricity ripping straight through me. “Come on. It’s perfectly safe. Unless you’d rather spend the night with Colleenand Melvin. You know he’s a sleepwalker, and I hear, during the summer, he gets so hot he’s resorted to sleeping in the nude.”
“Why are you offering to help me? I thought you hated me?” I finally ask, needing to know what his angle is here.
His eyes narrow, then he lets go of the handles and sits up. “Oh, don’t worry, Scout. I do hate you. But that doesn’t mean I want you sleeping in the park. You are my oldest friend after all. Consider this a favor that I will undoubtedly cash in at my earliest convenience.”
I don’t like the thought of Luka having something else to hang over my head, but am I really in a position to be picky right now? He may be angry with me—justifiably so, but I know Luka, and he would never hurt me.
“What about my suitcase?” I nod to the small rectangular ball and chain I’ve been dragging around with me all day.
“I can make it work.” He climbs off the bike, takes my suitcase, and attaches it to a small rack with a couple of rubber straps. He pulls the straps tight and jiggles the suitcase, adjusting it until he appears to be satisfied. “It’s not ideal, but it’ll hold for the ride home.” He, once again, offers me the white helmet. “Now put this on. I’ve had a hell of a day and I’m ready to get home.”
