Read Online On the Outside Looking In (Wrong Reasons) by JL Paul - Free Book Online Page B

under the water, testing the temperature.
    I watched, more out of boredom than curiosity, and sure enough, the water ran down the drain without a pause.
    “Excellent,” he grinned as he lifted the bucket and slowly poured the water into the sink.  “Problem solved.”
    “Great.  Can we go now?”
    “Yep.   Just let me put this stuff away,” he said as he gathered the bottle and the bucket, pausing to put on his coat.  I followed him out of the apartment, to a closet on the ground floor where he stored his equipment before locking the door.  “Let’s go.”
    Nodding, I pushed through the door as he removed a cellphone from his pocket.  I caught snippets of his conversation as he got into the car.
    “Yep, it’s done,” he said, fastening his seat belt.  “I’m on my way home so I can get ready for work at Rusty’s.”
    Starting the engine, I waited for him to end his call.  There were several garages in town and I hadn’t a clue which one he worked at and lived above.
    “Okay, let’s go,” he said, tucking his phone into his pocket. 
    “Where?”
    “Home,” he said, fiddling with the radio.
    “I don’t know where your home is located.”
    “Mel’s Garage on Eighth Street.”
    I left the parking lot and entered traffic.  Evan toyed with the radio, pushing the preset buttons and snorting at my choices.  Ignoring him, I hurried through town, desperate to get rid of him so I could get home.
    “Turn left here,” he said.
    I did as he asked even though Eighth Street was still a few blocks away.  “Please tell me that we’re not running another errand.  I’d like to get home.”
    “No more errands.  I have to get to work, you know,” he said, hiding a grin.  “This is a shortcut. Turn down this alley.”
    Driving slowly through the alley, I waited for him to tell me when to stop.  I’d pretty much lost track of where I was.
    “See that blue building on the right?” he asked.  “Pull up behind it.”
    I did and put the car in Park.
    He pointed at a staircase leading to a door in the back of the blue building.  “That’s where I live.  Cool, huh?”
    “Sure,” I said.
    Laughing, he leaned over the console to peck my cheek.  “Thanks for the help.  Maybe I’ll see you at Rusty’s tonight.”
    “I doubt it.  It’s Wednesday and I have class tomorrow.”
    “It’s Ladies’ Night,” he protested.  “We run specials for the ladies.”
    Rolling my eyes, I glanced out the windshield.  “I’m sure you do.”
    “No, it’s cool, really.  Ladies get one free drink and eat off the menu at half-price.”
    “It’s not my thing,” I said.
    The lopsided grin fell off of his face as he withdrew.  “All right.  I’ll see you around.”
    Slipping out of the car, I watched as he jogged up the staircase and unlocked the door.
    “Damn him,” I groaned as I pulled away from the building and headed home.
    But I couldn’t relax.  I sat in my favorite chair with my laptop, the volume on the television low, but couldn’t concentrate on a single thing.  All that floated in my mind was the smile slipping off of Evan’s face.
    Groaning, I shut my laptop and set it on the low coffee table.  Trying not to think about what I was preparing to do, I hurried to my bedroom and changed my sweatshirt for a deep blue sweater.  Running a brush through my hair, I put on my coat and boots, grabbed my purse and phone, and headed out the door.
    I’d never been to Rusty’s for Ladies’ Night and wasn’t sure what to expect.  It was still fairly early – only a little after seven – so I didn’t think it would be too crowded.  From my experience, most coeds in the area didn’t hit the bars or clubs until around nine.  How they managed to go out so late and get to class in the morning was beyond me.
    I parked in the lot, relieved to see it mostly empty, and rushed through the bitter wind to the door.  The bar was about as empty as the lot – only a few older students sitting at