Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 48632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Not a problem. We’ll get her car fixed in no time.” We hang up the phone as I wait at the light to turn into the parking lot. I’m already looking for Letty, keeping my eyes peeled, and when I spot her, I’m not really happy with what I see. The door to her car is open, she’s sitting inside, and while I’d rather she were locked inside with the air conditioning running, I can’t say I’m surprised. Letty has mentioned money a few times, inadvertently, and only to change the subject right away. I’m sure there’s a reason, and said reason is to save money.
When the light turns green, I move with the pace of other cars, and while I’d love nothing fucking more than to ram my vehicle into theirs in order to get them to move faster, I bide my time. My patience pays off because as I’m entering the parking lot, a car is backing out right next to Letty’s. I’m in the spot before she realizes who’s beside her, it isn’t until I open the door and step out that her eyes lift to mine.
“Matthew.” My name comes out with emotion. I can see she’s barely holding it together. I do the one thing I can: wrap her in my arms and pull her into my chest.
“Letty,” I reply, kissing the crown of her head. I feel her take a deep breath as a shudder leaves her body, and while I don’t know every nuance of the woman in my arms, this, letting me hold her, being the person she needs, well, I’ll take the present with every gratitude a man can give.
“I’m okay, promise.” She pulls back. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and I can tell she’s trying not to cry.
“Fuck yeah, you are, and if you’re not, I’ve got you. You know that, right?” I dip my knees, allowing her to see the truth behind my words.
“I know, and I’m sorry I had to call you, more than likely ruining your Sunday, begging for a ride. And you, being the man you are, going all in with me and my problems. I still feel terrible about it.”
“Then you get this is where I want to be. Now, I’ll grab your bags while you load up in my vehicle, and I’ll send a text. I’ve already got a tow truck coming to pick up your car. My friend Colt happened to already be at his garage. Even if we couldn’t get it fixed today, I’d let you take my car. My place is a ten-minute walk from my office, if that.” I see her balk at the idea, exactly like I expected.
“Oh my god, no way. I would never take your vehicle. Are you crazy?”
“Kitten, it’s just a car. Your job is important to you. I don’t have to drive around town, go from place to place.” I’m hoping to finally get through to her, but she shakes her head.
“Nope, I’d ask for a ride to Ophelia’s and borrow one of the vans before I’d ever take your car. Chemicals inside the pristine SUV that doesn’t have so much as a speck of dirt on the outside? Absolutely not. Anyway, this is probably a moot point. Hopefully, Colt can get my car back on the road, and this will be a distant memory.” I can tell she’s thinking of other things, too, probably the same thing I am. Why her car has so many fucking flat tires. I’ll bite my tongue, let Colt do some investigating, and go from there.
“You’re right. What year is your Honda? Colt needs to know for tires.” I haven’t taken my hands away from her hips, liking the way she feels in my grip. Letty tells me what I need, hops into my SUV that I’ve kept running, and I send out a quick text to Colt.
Me: 2020 Honda Accord. Three tires are sitting on rim. May as well do all four.
Colt: What did she do, drive through a bed of nails? Locke said to leave the keys in the rear wheel well. He’s on the way already.
Me: Beats the fuck out of me. I’ll let you figure it out all the same. Thanks, man.
Colt: No problem. I’ll give you a call when the car makes it here.
I exit out of my phone, grab her grocery bags, and place the keys where they need to be before joining Letty in my car. One day, she’ll open up to me about her past, or I’m going to have to let Jude do the digging he’s been dying to do all along. Whatever it is, if it leads to any kind of trouble, I already know I’ll do whatever I can to protect her.
11
LETTY
The whole way to my apartment, Matthew’s hand has been holding mine. The one time I needed both hands to respond to a text message, he slid his palm to my thigh, his long and thick fingers wrapping around the inside, holding a piece of me.