Can't Slow Down - Lizzie Hart Stevens Page 0,15
with a tattooed freak like me, right?” He runs a hand through his hair.
God, I love it when he does that with his hair, but it hurts me to hear him being put down by his aunt that way.
“Her name is Lexi.”
Oh no, here it comes.
“Yeah, fine. I’ll see if she’s busy.”
Oh shit. I’m really not sure I want to meet this woman.
Coen mouths to me that he’s sorry.
“It’s okay,” I whisper.
I glance around the restaurant, waiting patiently for him to finish his conversation, and see Derek coming in the door. I smile and wave him over to our table. Coen looks up at me confused until he catches Derek out of the corner of his eye and nods.
“Look, Aunt Sarah, I have to go. We’ll try to stop in later in the week.”
He hangs up the phone and closes his eyes and shakes his head.
“Hey guys, I’m surprised to see you out and about. I figured you’d chill in bed and rest,” Derek says, sliding into the seat next to Coen. “Who was on the phone, man?”
Coen gives Derek a sideways glare. “The fucking queen of interrupting. Perfect timing as always,” he says sarcastically.
“Man, I don’t know why you don’t just change your number and not tell her what it is. I know she’s your aunt and all, but damn man. All she ever does is talk down to you like you’re a piece of shit or make you do stupid chores around her house.”
“Yeah, well. Now she knows I have a girlfriend and she wants to meet Lex.”
I’ve been sitting here quietly, observing their conversation. It’s obvious the two of them are great friends.
“Hey,” I say, and they both look at me. “Yeah, hi, the girlfriend is still here.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and raise an eyebrow. I’m not really annoyed. I just figured I should remind them I’m still sitting here because they seem completely oblivious right now.
“Shit, sorry, that was rude of me.” Derek leans over to kiss me on the cheek and Coen gives him an “oh really” look. “Hi, Lex. How are you feeling?”
Coen places his hand on Derek’s shoulder, giving the impression that he’s pushing him back into his seat.
“Lips off my girl, man.”
They both laugh and Derek lightly slugs Coen’s arm with the back of his hand.
“Seriously, Lexi, are you doing okay?”
“I’m physically okay, yes.” I smile. “And Coen has done an amazing job of keeping my mind off of things today so far.” I look at Coen and blush as I remember our heated moment in the parking lot at the race track this morning.
He must know what I’m referring to because under the table I feel his foot rub purposely against my leg as he smirks.
“Amazing, huh?” He wets his lips.
“Right . . .” Derek says. “Well, I just stopped in to grab a pizza to go. I have to get back home and finish detailing my truck. I took my three-year-old niece out for lunch last week and there are fries in places I can’t even reach.” His eyes widen in disgust. “I’m glad you’re okay, Lex.” He gets up and kisses the top of my head on his way over to grab his pizza.
Coen quickly stands up and acts like he’s trying to scare Derek away for kissing the top of my head. Derek just laughs.
“Catch you guys, later,” he shouts from across the restaurant.
Coen smiles and shakes his head as he sits back down.
“Fuckin’ guy.”
“You two are pretty close, huh?” I ask before finishing the rest of my drink.
“Yeah, he’s really the only person I’ve had since my parents passed that’s always had my back,” he says, motioning for the waitress to bring us our bill. “I guess I kind of adopted him as my brother in a way.”
The mention of family reminds me that he just got off the phone with his aunt. And she wants to meet me. I don’t have a good feeling about meeting her at all. The waitress drops off our bill and continues bussing her other tables. Coen pulls out his wallet and sticks some cash in the little black bill holder book and places it back on the table for the waitress to grab.
“Ready to go, Sweet Cheeks?” He stands up and holds his hand out, waiting for mine. “I have one more place I want to take you, if you’re feeling up to it,” he says with a questioning look. “Don’t worry, it won’t