Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Madeline here is asking about the hiring sign.” I bite back a laugh because his father makes the same expression Joey did when I said it.
“For the office?” he asks.
“I’m best at the office, but I know the basics if you need someone in a pinch to change filters or do a quick oil change.”
“That so?” Joe Sr. smiles at me. I nod back and smile too. “All right, what’s the difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid?
“In short form both are compatible. The DOT 4 offers better performance under heavy braking, but it does have to be replaced sooner.” His smile grows at my response.
“Okay, if you were to do an oil change, what should you look for when checking used car oil for signs of engine issues?”
“Taking it easy on me?” I give a playful laugh. “You look for the light amber color and a smooth consistency. Red flags are pretty much anything else, like if it’s black and gritty or that milky brown. Also, if you see metallic shavings in it. That’s a bigger problem and you can always trust—” I tap my nose. “She’s a rather helpful tool.”
They both stare at me before Joey shrugs at his father. “All right, you’re hired,” he says.
Wow, that was easy. I bet classes tomorrow won’t be the same.
Chapter Six
LUKE
“Fuck, Luke!” Tanner grunts when he flies back, hitting the boards. There is nothing better than waking up to a morning on the ice to work out your aggression. I might be the only person on the team that doesn’t mind morning practice. I love pushing myself. The way the adrenaline courses through me the moment my skates hit the ice. The burn of my thighs as I push them to give me more. “I’m on your side,” he shouts up at me from the ground. I offer him my hand, but he doesn’t take it. “You didn’t knock the sense out of me.” He gets to his feet on his own.
“Next time maybe you’ll watch where I’m going,” I tell him before skating off and finishing the rest of practice. I’m the first one back to the locker room, showering and changing quickly for classes.
“You’re ready.” Grant appears surprised by this. Not sure why he’s paying attention either way. “You’re always late, so I figured you would be for classes.” He’s not wrong. I operate at my own speed. If someone doesn’t like it, I really don’t give a fuck. Honestly, I’ve never had a reason to be any other way.
“I hope you’re getting paid to stalk me.”
“That would be nice.” I don’t know if he’s being serious or not. I wouldn’t put it past Coach to really hire me a babysitter. I was thinking of it as a joke, but I might not have been far off the mark. “I’ll leave the stalking to you.”
“What?” Now that gives me pause. Does he know what I did last night? Am I completely aware of what I did last night? It could have been a fever dream. If it was, why do I still have all the information I lifted off my brother’s computer? Maybe I even used his login for the school and possibly changed a few things.
“I’m only messing with you,” Grant chuckles before it quickly evaporates. “You’re not stalking anyone, right?”
“Is that against the babysitting rules?” Grant’s eyes search my face. If he thinks he’ll get an answer there, he’ll be waiting for the rest of his fucking life, which might be short at this rate.
“I don’t know if you’re teasing me or being serious.” He runs his fingers through his still wet hair. “You’re not the teasing type, but I don’t see you stalking anyone either. That means you’d give a shit about something.”
He’s got a point there. I used to care, but I found caring doesn’t do you any favors. You might as well do what you want. You get screwed either way.
“I’ve got class,” I tell him, closing my gym locker.
He follows after me. I shoot him a glare that doesn’t do shit. I am really losing my touch, and I’m pretty sure it started with a gorgeous girl with dark shiny hair. She couldn’t care less if I stare or not, and I cannot stop staring no matter how hard I try.
That’s why I did the things I did last night. The logic made sense to me. If I know where she is and what she is doing, I can avoid her. That was my thought process. Then I would forget about her and the shit she does to my head. It’s better for both her and me.
At least that was very much my plan. It was a solid one. Until it was no longer my plan, and I suddenly have a few classes with her now. It’s time to keep an even better eye on her. I’m sure if I spend a fraction of time with her, she’ll annoy me like all the rest. Then I won’t think about her, and I can go back to my normal life that didn’t have any distractions.