Page 37 of Ruthless Rose

They nod, and the four of them depart, leaving me here with my nasty car.

I whip out my phone and take a photo, texting it to Max and Scarlett along with a WTF?

I wait for them to respond, my frustration rising with each second I stand here. I close my eyes and shake my head, willing this to just be a bad dream. I mean, come on. I didn’t do anything to deserve this, except be noticed by the wrong guy. And, okay, I’ve lashed back some in defense of the things Alora has said. I won’t stand there and take it just because she thinks she’s better than I am, as if her Rose shit doesn’t stink.

Gritting my teeth, I glance down at my phone.

Max: WTF is right.

Scarlett: Who did that?

Me: I’ll give you one guess.

With a sigh, I shove my phone back into my pocket, assessing the car situation one more time. I guess Griffin is right. The only thing to do is drive with it like this so I can at least see through the holes in the Ds, and then wash it when I get home. Feeling like a complete loser, I open the driver’s side door, climb in, and sling my book bag onto the passenger seat. I shift in my seat until I can see through the windshield.

Wait.Micah is probably already on his way to meet me at the coffee shop. Shit. I pull my phone back out and shoot him a quick text.

Me:Long story. Can you meet me at my house?

Me:Someone—um, my car is a mess. I don’t want to drive with it like this after dark.

Daph’s Dream Dick:Seriously?

Jeez, every time Daph’s Dream Dick shows up on my phone, I have a weird little surge of pleasure streak through me. But also, I don’t know how to take his text. Is it “Seriously?” as in, he’s put-out that I’m asking him to meet me somewhere different? Or maybe it’s more like “Seriously?” as in, he can’t believe something happened. Ugh. I am so bad at interpreting text speak.

Me:You’ll see when you get there. I live at 121 Clover Lane.

Daph’s Dream Dick:I’ll be there in 15-20 minutes.

Me:TY

Me:I’ll try to be there before you, but I have to drive slowly.

Daph’s Dream Dick:WTF?

I don’t even bother to answer. It’ll be easier to show him. Shoving my key into the ignition, I start my car, then cautiously make my way out of the parking lot and down the school’s drive until I get to the main road.

Every time I pass another car, or someone out on the street, I cringe. Everyone is staring. Shoot me now.

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