Read Online Burnout (Jack 'Em Up Book 0) by Shauna Allen - Free Book Online Page A

leaping in relief. Her dark Beamer slid into the spot next to mine and she quickly hopped out, her white jeans and baby blue sweatshirt a blur of light in the pitch black. She yanked open the passenger door and suddenly her unique scent was all around me.
    “Hi.” She smiled and reached over to grip my hand. Her fingers were warm and welcoming. Like home.
    “Hey.”
    Sighing, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “It’s been a shitty night.”
    “What happened?”
    She lifted her head and I felt her stare through the darkness. “My parents. My dad, really. I hate how everything is about his stupid campaign now, and how he and Mom try to control us. It’s like they expect us to be little mindless robots.”
    I tried to imagine my dad giving a shit about anything I did. I stretched across the distance and stroked her face. “I’m sorry, baby.”
    She turned her face until her lips found my palm. “It’s okay. I’m here now.”
    No, it really wasn’t okay. I hated that she felt so kowtowed by her parents. That there was nothing I could do. That we had to keep our relationship a secret so her dad wouldn’t find out. But, we both knew, there was nothing good that could come of that. Especially since he’d been out to my house when my dad got drunk and violent again, shattering our front window and trading punches with the guy two doors down. I’d stared at Sheriff Jackson’s name badge and willed myself to say something. Anything. But the words wouldn’t come. All I could think was how Dee had his eyes.
    And I hadn’t told her.
    She knew about my dad in theory. The reality was so much uglier and I wanted to protect her from that somehow. And I was ashamed.
    “So,” she said, pulling me back to her. “What did you do today?”
    I grinned. “I went shopping.”
    “Shopping?”
    “Yeah.” I shifted over to reach into the backseat and grabbed the gift-wrapped package. I handed it to her.
    “What’s this?” Her eyes glittered in the darkness as she lifted them to me.
    “A present. Open it.”
    “But . . .” She fingered the little gold locket I’d already given her for Christmas. “Why’d you get me a present?”
    Because I love you. I violently yanked those words back before I spouted them out like a dumbass. “Just because. You’re my girl. Can’t I buy you presents?”
    A brilliant smile lit her face. “I guess so.”
    I nodded down at the big box in her lap, indicating for her to open it.
    She shook it and made a face at the loud, metallic clanking. “It’s heavy.”
    “Yeah. I know.” I laughed. She was adorable.
    Finally, she ripped the paper with abandon like an excited kid on Christmas morning. No dainty, folding back of wrapping to save it for later for her. It reminded me of the first several Christmases of my life, when Mom had taken such care to wrap my and my brother’s presents so we wouldn’t guess what they were. I suddenly wished I’d thought to do that.
    Her surprise ricocheted through the car as she unveiled the small, beginner toolbox full of tools.
    Her silence had me second-guessing myself. “If you don’t like it—”
    “No. I love it.” She leaned over the console and kissed me. “Thank you.”
    “It’s so you’ll have your own . . . when we’re working on the car. Or whatever.” We both knew the work on the Camaro was basically done. I just needed to put the repainted panel on when I got it back from the shop. But, still, I felt like a stuttering boy. Something about her made me want to please her. Love her.
    She placed the box at her feet and stretched over to me again. This time, her kiss was slow, thorough, and anything but a thank you. “You’re the best. I’ll cherish it forever.”
    The laugh bubbled up in my throat and I cupped her neck, bringing her lips to mine again. I swept my tongue along her sweet mouth, suckled and licked the corner of her lips. She moaned and clutched at my neck. “It’s just . . . a . . . toolbox,” I