Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
It’s not a question, but I nod anyway.
“Then Jerry called the next day about the car,” he continues. “Molly took off…It was a mess. I thought after I talked to you, you’d come home—at least for a few days, to clear things up—”
“I couldn’t!”
He holds up one hand to stop my protests. “I think I understand that a little better now. For what it’s worth, I did tell Molly that you denied it and I didn’t think you’d do that to her. But when you didn’t come home or call again…”
I should’ve tried harder.
“I talked to Vapor and Juliet,” I answer miserably.
“I know.” He nods. “Juliet kept me up to date on your calls.”
“I couldn’t tell her much.” I shrug and groan at the pain in my shoulder. “I guess I thought, you guys know me. You know I’d never do that. I wanted to get through the filming and the fights, then come home and make things right.”
“It’s not only the cheating thing. You saw the way the show talked about Molly.” He sighs. “Although Ella said after that episode they never mentioned her again.”
“I told them they had to knock it off or I’d walk home.”
Remy lifts an eyebrow. “You did?”
“Fuck yeah, I did. They threatened to sue me into oblivion. Leaving with no money and having to defend myself in a lawsuit against people with deep pockets…seemed like a bad choice.”
“Jesus Christ.” He blows out breath. “Even if they didn’t win, they’d drain you dry with legal fees. And if they got a judgment against you, you could say goodbye to ever buying Jerry’s Garage—if you still even want to do that.”
“Yeah, exactly.” Finally, he seems to understand. “I bluffed my way through it, but they had me by the nuts.”
He nods slowly. “That’s what happens when you swim with sharks.”
I should’ve known Remy’s understanding had limits. “No kidding. I thought I was going to be in Rocky and instead I ended up in Saw.”
He doesn’t laugh like I expected. “I know it wasn’t you.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder toward the television.
It’s not an apology, but I’ll take it for now.
There’s only one more person I care about convincing.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Griff
This morning, I feel almost human. I still look like I got run over by a garbage truck but I’m desperate to get out of my apartment and into the fresh air.
I have a particular destination in mind.
First, I stop by the garage. Jerry takes one look at my face and tells me to take a few more days off. Should I be grateful or worried he’s planning to fire me?
I can’t stress about it today.
My engine thrums beneath me on the highway. Aches and pains still rule my body, but for the first time in months, my mind feels more centered and grounded. Thank fuck I’m home in time to enjoy at least a few weeks of perfect riding weather before I’ll have to park my Harley for the winter. The sharp scent of motor oil mingles with the earthier aroma of damp, fallen leaves—my favorite scents of fall.
I tighten my grip on the handlebars and twist the throttle. My shoulder protests the movement and I relax my grip. An urgent need to see Molly pulls me along. Even if I don’t talk to her or reveal myself to her, I have to know she’s okay.
It’s loud, but my bike will still blend in better than my vintage muscle car with the identifiable red and purple pinstripes. Not many cars with that color scheme around. I love my Harley but damn, that Ninja I was able to take for a joyride would be a lot more fun for this trip.
I’d peeked at the copy of her schedule Remy had stuck to the refrigerator, then looked up the college online and tried to figure out the best place to catch a glimpse of Molly. I have an idea of where she’ll be on the small campus and when. If I know my girl, she’ll probably stop for coffee and a muffin after class. I’ll try the coffee shop that’s near her English 101 class first, and go from there.
The ride only takes an hour. I can easily see myself making this trip to visit Molly whenever she wants me to.
If she wants me here at all.
I slow for the exit, guiding the bike into the small college town. Large trees line the streets, their branches meeting overhead, creating an almost tunnel-like feeling as I guide my bike into the visitor parking lot and tuck it into a spot in the back, hidden by a big monster truck and a prickly green bush.
I take off my helmet and slip an old green ball cap over my head—careful to avoid my stitches. My hair’s a bit longer—I really need to get it cut—so it sticks out from under the cap, tickling my ears. I zip my hooded sweatshirt. Pulling the hood up will probably draw more attention to me. My disguise isn’t great, but it should be enough. Molly isn’t expecting to see me here. Hell, I might be overestimating my detective skills and not even be able to find her today. What if she decided to skip class? No, I can’t see Molly doing that. She didn’t work hard and spend a fortune on school just to blow off classes.