Page 46 of Bullet
“Right now? I’m a puppet. My father decided to run for mayor, so I’m stuck here while he campaigns.”
I swallow hard. I could prod her. Find out information, but how? How do I not blow the cover I didn’t know I had?
“You don’t sound so happy about it.”
She laughs. “I mean, I don’t know him well. I knew I had a father, and I knew he was alive. He sent money every month for me and my mom, but I never met him until he showed up needing a ready-made family. My mom slipped into the spot at his side while I get to play dutiful daughter. It gets exhausting. Politics is not something I recommend.”
I nod. “I’ll mark that off the agenda. I was really looking forward to being the president of the book club too. Damn.”
She laughs. “The responsibility isn’t worth it. Trust me.”
“Good to know. Well, did you maybe want to buddy read a book? How far are you into the MC one? I could pick up a copy,” I find myself offering.
I hate that I actually like this chick. She is funny and kind. She is the type of person I would want to be friends with.
“Only three chapters in, but I can wait for you. Want to exchange numbers?”
“Sure. Hand me your phone. Mine is in the back.”
She does, so I start entering my number. I see a text come through.
Jake: We should go out sometime.
My heart is in my throat as I finish putting my number in and hand her back the phone.
Jake can’t be my Jacob. Bullet can’t be texting her.
Of course he is, though. Why wouldn’t he?
Forcing a smile, I lean past her and grab the book she is reading.
“I’ll get up to chapter three tonight, and then we can read together. I really should be getting back to work.”
“Of course. Thank you. I’ll go buy these and get out of your hair. I’ll text you later.”
I nod, heading back to the back of the store. “She needs to check out,” I tell Tara.
“Are you okay?”
I give her a sad smile. “I will be.”
I don’t know how, but I will make sure I am okay.
With or without Bullet.
Something is up with Harlee. She has barely looked my way since I got here. She is pretending to be engrossed in the books she is organizing, but her mind is elsewhere.
I wish I could figure her out.
Instead, I wait for her shift to end before I try to talk to her.
“You want to go get something to eat?” I ask her.
She shrugs, putting her helmet on. I help her onto the bike before I drive us to the diner down the road. It’s within walking distance, but I drive anyway.
When we get there, I escort her inside and slide opposite her in the booth.
“What’s wrong, Angel? I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me what it is,” I tell her.
