Damn, I’m screwed.

IT’S UNUSUAL SHARING a bathroom with your date for the night. Although, after Paige showered, she’s been locked up in her room. After she snuck out, I went downstairs to find Chrissy propped up on the couch with a book between her legs. Dex was nowhere around, which hasn’t been out of the realm lately. He mentioned the other day about having to start sending resumes out and making sure after he graduates he’s set to take care of him and Chrissy. Which only makes my own mind linger about my future and what I want.

The garage is nice, but I don’t want to work on cars the rest of my life. As it is, it’s not as exciting working on my own now after working on other people’s all day. That excited flutter doesn’t fester in my stomach when I clock in anymore. Going to the auto part store is more of a task than a fun trip. Back in the day, I would stroll down each aisle, talk to the other guys about new gadgets or add-ons. Now I go in, grab my shit and leave.

Even though my dad ruined fixing cars up for me by sleeping with my Godmother, that love is still rooted inside of me and I want to carry that on someday if I’m ever blessed with a kid. Just because my dad destroyed the memories he made with me all those years growing up by refuting the man I thought he was, doesn’t mean I’ll do the same.

“What’s up?” I sink down in the chair opposite her and she glances my way.

“Hey.” She highlights a line and concentrates on her book.

“Listen.” I prop my feet on the coffee table and cross my ankles. “We have a good friendship, right?”

She inspects me from the corner of her eyes and then back down to her book.

“Yeah.”

“You would never murder me, right?” She gives me that glance from the corner of her eye again.

“No.”

“Ever?”

“No. What’s this about?” The highlighter rolls into the bind of her book and she shuts it, giving me her full attention.

“Can you leave at seven? Go over to Sadie’s.”

I’ve seen Chrissy mad, I’ve seen Chrissy sad, but I’ve never seen this side of Chrissy. Her jaw cocks to the side, her teeth grinding against each other.

“Why?” The word comes out slow.

“No murder, right?” I clarify again, but no laugh escapes her mouth.

“Rob.” She’s losing patience with me.

“I may have a date.”

“With?” She knows the answer before I expose the name. Chrissy and I have a friendship and I don’t want to ruin it by keeping Paige a secret.

“A girl.” I chuckle, she doesn’t.

“Does the girl live here?” Her eyes bore far into me; I fear lasers are about to zero in on me and fire.

“Yes.” Simple and it’s out there. Done.

“Rob, is this your sly way of asking me out?” She brings humor in, but then her face straightens. “I asked you not to touch her.”

“Chrissy.” I break the distance, moving over to the couch. I pick up the book and place it on the coffee table so I can be closer. “It’s a date, not a suck me off in my room.”

I’m honest with her because last year we bonded over her own troubles. I know she’s someone I can trust.

“You actually like her?” She’s not as angry as I feared she might be.

“Yeah.” The word is straight and low, but hopefully it reveals the conviction.

“Where are you taking her?” I want to jump up, yank her up to her feet, and wrap her in a big bear hug for not being bitchy about this.

“To Cleveland. Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Museum.” A slow smile creeps up Chrissy’s lips.

“A date. That’s perfect.”

“Really? We have to jet up there though. It’s only open until nine.”

“You figure it’s a half hour away, you’ll have an hour and a half. That’s plenty.”

“So, you aren’t mad at me?” I ask her.

She pokes her finger into my chest. “I should be. You know that, right?”

“Yeah,” I sigh.

“But you need to find love.” Her arms move to wrap around my shoulders and she kisses my cheek. “I like you like this.”

“Is this what happens when I’m gone?” Dex trudges in, eyeing me on his way to Chrissy. “Find your own girl,” he jokes and Chrissy releases me, rising to her feet up to Dex.

“Don’t worry baby, he found her.” She giggles and I get up, shaking my head.

“What? Who?” Dex holds Chrissy tight in his arms, kissing her neck.

“Paige,” Chrissy whispers loud enough for me to overhear.

“Nice, Chris.” I begin to leave the room, but I should have been prepared for a call out from Dex.

“Who would have ever guessed? Rob Winters falling for a girl? Thought I’d die before that happened.” I flip him off, not gracing him with my pissed off face.

I leave the room, not wanting to hear the bullshit from their mouths. When I run up the stairs, I hear a blow-dryer going in Paige’s room. Sneaking into the bathroom, it’s time I prepare to look mouthwateringly delicious for our date.

A HALF HOUR later, I’m spraying some cologne on when the back door shuts. My phone chimes a minute later.

Chrissy: We’re gone.

Me: Thanks. I owe you one.

Chrissy: More than one, but who’s counting.

Me: You I guess.

Not wanting to wait, I step out into the hallway and falter back when Paige emerges from her bedroom. Tight ass jeans, a too loose of a shirt for my liking, but her fuck me heels make up for no cleavage. All my restraint is tested to not say screw the museum, let me explore you.

“You ready?” I ask, breaking the distance between us.

She shifts her stance and fiddles with her purse swung over her shoulder.

“Yeah.” I love when her voice shifts to shy and timid. Even though, I know without a doubt Paige is comfortable in her own skin, I affect her and something about that thrills me.

Unable to keep my hands off her, my hand cups her cheek and she lays into it like she always does. “Sometimes I struggle looking at you.” Her lips falter and I realize my mouth slipped before my head filtered it. “You’re so beautiful . . . gorgeous . . . sexy.” Her lips flip back up and I inhale a relieved breath.

“Keep going.” The smile on her face signals she’s joking.

“You’re like the sun, so bright and warm, it’s hard to stare right at you.”

She laughs. “Let’s stop with the lines. Beautiful is sufficient.”

She breezes by me and then stops when I don’t follow.

“Sorry, poetry and romantic shit isn’t my forte.” I focus on the carpeted floor beneath my chucks.

Her footsteps rush back to me like I knew they would. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

I peek my eyes up to her with a Cheshire grin splashed across my face.

“You asshole.” She swats at my chest and I grab her wrist before she can escape.

I spin her fast, slamming her body against the wall. With my one hand pinning her wrist to the wall, I lean in. My lips don’t wait for permission. My tongue snakes out and licks to part her lips. It dives into her mouth and her tongue meets mine with the same intensity. Melding my body flush against hers, she wiggles under me just like hours ago. The way her body responds is so fucking hot, I can’t get enough.

Tearing away, I back up, entwine our hands and lead her down the hall. She wobbles behind me and then catches her footing.

“Um . . . I’m going to need you to refrain from making my panties wet before the date.”

I stop us at the landing, awaiting the date I planned for her. To show her she isn’t the fuck buddy I originally pegged her as. That she’s more. That she’s mine. My eyes rake over her body and my heart picks up a faster beat.

“What?” she asks, crossing her legs and I hope it’s from the heat from my eyes surging her to the core.

“You’re too tempting, baby. Let’s go.”

Before I have a chance to second guess my decision to leave the house, I usher her forward to descend the stairs. The creaks from the old staircase echoes on the walls, it’s eerily quiet and makes me want to scream just to fill the air.