then I forgot about him when Angel teased me about taking Spanish.
“If you ever need help, I’m your man.” He laughed. “Consider it payback for all those times you helped me get through math,
chica
.”
IX
55 %
M y house was empty when Angel dropped me off. It was lunchtime, and my mom wouldn’t be home until after I left for work.
I took advantage of the time to do a little homework and catch up on some housework. It didn’t take long to do either. I dumped a load of bath towels into the washing machine then sat down at the kitchen table. I only had a few questions to answer for Spanish. The house wasn’t very dusty from the last time I’d wiped things down. I unloaded the dishwasher and filled it with the dirty dishes from the sink.
I flipped on the Weather Channel. A new episode of
Storm Chasers
was coming on tonight. I quickly programmed the DVR before I forgot.
When the buzzer went off on the washer, I threw the towels into the dryer then curled up on my bed and read until I dozed off. I must have been tired, because when I woke up, I had to rush to get ready for work.
Fifteen short minutes later, I was ready. Just in time too—I heard a horn. I wondered why Bri hadn’t given me her usual warning text.
I grabbed my phone, took one last look in the mirror, and headed for the door. It had clouded up and was unusually dark. The headlights were blinding me as I approached.
When I got a little closer, I realized it wasn’t a Chevelle but a Challenger. The door swung open.
“What are you waiting for?” Trent asked.
“I’m just a little surprised. I was expecting Bri.”
“She didn’t tell you?”
“No, we haven’t spoken since school let out.” A tiny smile touched the corner of my mouth when I thought about Angel.
“I guess you were
busy
,” he said with an insinuating tone and a playful grin.
“So why exactly are you here?”
“It’s not obvious?”
I gave him a puzzled look.
“I’m taking you to work. Get in.”
“You’re so cute when you’re assertive.”
Trent smiled. I got in and shut the door, and we headed to the theater. It felt so good to be sitting next to him in his car once again. I wanted this to be
my
seat. It felt so natural, so right—like I
belonged
here.
Butterflies tickled my stomach when I became aware that he was spending more time watching me than the road.
“You look nice,” he said.
I tried to think of a funny way to put myself down but said, “Thanks” instead.
The ride was far too short. “What time should I pick you up…ten?”
“Who says I don’t already have a ride?” I asked him.
“Man, you’re feisty. It makes you—what’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Irresistible?”
“Irritating.”
“You know, Angel is applying to work at the theater this evening. My boss, Mack, most likely will start him tonight.”
“Your point?”
“I may catch a ride home with him. He’s my
friend
too, ya know.”
“I’ll be here at ten.”
I smiled and shut the door. Trent watched to make sure I made it inside. Just before I got to the door, Angel walked up.
“Hey. Ash. Wait up!” he called. “I’ll walk in with you.”
He held the door open for me and put his hand on my back as he guided me through the door. Before it closed, I thought I heard a Challenger rev its engine in the distance.
I stopped Mack as he was walking by with a clipboard filled with a thick, messy stack of paper. “Mack, I’d like you to meet Angel Martinez.”
Mack was almost completely bald. The few remaining hairs on top of his round head stood on end and always made him look exasperated. He had apencil behind one ear and a pen behind the other. He wore glasses and had a big belly that hung over his belt.
He turned in our direction and looked Angel up and down. “You’re hired. Have Ashley introduce you to Conner. He’ll show you the ropes for ticket sales and the concession counter. You can fill out your paperwork later with the others.” He
“If you ever need help, I’m your man.” He laughed. “Consider it payback for all those times you helped me get through math,
chica
.”
IX
55 %
M y house was empty when Angel dropped me off. It was lunchtime, and my mom wouldn’t be home until after I left for work.
I took advantage of the time to do a little homework and catch up on some housework. It didn’t take long to do either. I dumped a load of bath towels into the washing machine then sat down at the kitchen table. I only had a few questions to answer for Spanish. The house wasn’t very dusty from the last time I’d wiped things down. I unloaded the dishwasher and filled it with the dirty dishes from the sink.
I flipped on the Weather Channel. A new episode of
Storm Chasers
was coming on tonight. I quickly programmed the DVR before I forgot.
When the buzzer went off on the washer, I threw the towels into the dryer then curled up on my bed and read until I dozed off. I must have been tired, because when I woke up, I had to rush to get ready for work.
Fifteen short minutes later, I was ready. Just in time too—I heard a horn. I wondered why Bri hadn’t given me her usual warning text.
I grabbed my phone, took one last look in the mirror, and headed for the door. It had clouded up and was unusually dark. The headlights were blinding me as I approached.
When I got a little closer, I realized it wasn’t a Chevelle but a Challenger. The door swung open.
“What are you waiting for?” Trent asked.
“I’m just a little surprised. I was expecting Bri.”
“She didn’t tell you?”
“No, we haven’t spoken since school let out.” A tiny smile touched the corner of my mouth when I thought about Angel.
“I guess you were
busy
,” he said with an insinuating tone and a playful grin.
“So why exactly are you here?”
“It’s not obvious?”
I gave him a puzzled look.
“I’m taking you to work. Get in.”
“You’re so cute when you’re assertive.”
Trent smiled. I got in and shut the door, and we headed to the theater. It felt so good to be sitting next to him in his car once again. I wanted this to be
my
seat. It felt so natural, so right—like I
belonged
here.
Butterflies tickled my stomach when I became aware that he was spending more time watching me than the road.
“You look nice,” he said.
I tried to think of a funny way to put myself down but said, “Thanks” instead.
The ride was far too short. “What time should I pick you up…ten?”
“Who says I don’t already have a ride?” I asked him.
“Man, you’re feisty. It makes you—what’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Irresistible?”
“Irritating.”
“You know, Angel is applying to work at the theater this evening. My boss, Mack, most likely will start him tonight.”
“Your point?”
“I may catch a ride home with him. He’s my
friend
too, ya know.”
“I’ll be here at ten.”
I smiled and shut the door. Trent watched to make sure I made it inside. Just before I got to the door, Angel walked up.
“Hey. Ash. Wait up!” he called. “I’ll walk in with you.”
He held the door open for me and put his hand on my back as he guided me through the door. Before it closed, I thought I heard a Challenger rev its engine in the distance.
I stopped Mack as he was walking by with a clipboard filled with a thick, messy stack of paper. “Mack, I’d like you to meet Angel Martinez.”
Mack was almost completely bald. The few remaining hairs on top of his round head stood on end and always made him look exasperated. He had apencil behind one ear and a pen behind the other. He wore glasses and had a big belly that hung over his belt.
He turned in our direction and looked Angel up and down. “You’re hired. Have Ashley introduce you to Conner. He’ll show you the ropes for ticket sales and the concession counter. You can fill out your paperwork later with the others.” He
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