Page 12 (1/2)

CHAPTER ONE- TOMMI

The little thingy on the end of the jack slips off the lug nut and I sain I resist the urge to stick er intointhese days I act just right, dress just right, talk just right I’m all about appearances I have to be Lance demands it And I need Lance, so I play ball

I wipe the back of ain Just one h in relief when I put all one hundred and twenty eight pounds of ives I unscrew it and pull off the flat tire, rolling it over to lean up against the back fender ofoff my hands, I check my nails to make sure none are broken –God forbid I show up for drinks with a gnarly manicure– as I walk to the trunk to remove my full-sized spare

After I manhandle it out of its little cubby beneath a false panel in the back ofI’ll roll it into position And that would’ve worked just fine if my spare weren’t flat, too

“Noooo!” I cry aloud

Oh for the love of god! Are you kidding me?

I start to get frantic as I glance at e and then make it to the hotel on time But if I show up dressed like this, I’ll never hear the end of it I know better than to wear things like these shorts and this tank top, but so just a tiny bit like me Theelse

“Why didn’t you accept help when it was offered, Tommi?” I mutter, eyes closed, face turned up toward the sky

Being a blonde fe Thankfully, it usually draws a lot ofto be the hero and save the poor damsel in distress This time was no different, only I politely turned each of them away I mean, most of them were creepy and I a So now, here I am Stuck Hero-less, helpless, and frustrated

“It’s not too late, ya know,” an incredibly pleasant, amused voice says from behind me

Startled, I yelp and whirl around There’s a darkly handso behind me He’s so close and so tall that I take a step back, tripping overoes right out the proverbialas I flail to regain my balance “Holy assmunch shitface!” I squeal in surprise

Two big, strong hands reach for ht and saveblunder The electricity in his touch coh causes chills to break out downmy nerve ends like tremors of an earthquake “Part beautiful woirl”

Oh God, I think, eood look at my rescuer

I’uy I think I’ve ever seen–soft brown eyes that glisten in the dying sun like two chocolate dia black lashes that frame them like feathers, and a smile that threatens to melt me where I stand Holy lord And I have to look way up to see hiirl

“Pardon the expression Y-you scared ers around muscular forearertips as he holdseach other for several heated seconds I know I should back up, protest, feign outrage, do so, but I can’t As unwise as it is, I don’t want to do anything because I don’t want hio