over at her. “Really? What happened?”
Law scoffs at her and makes an oof noise when she elbows him in the gut. “He stood me up. I think I’m turning into a fucking leper. No one wants to be within a fucking mile of me and it’s making me fucking cranky. Maybe I’ll move to the Bay with my sister. She has better luck with guys over there.”
Law winces and I give him a look. So he’s in on this little secret of Rue’s. I wonder if the biker is the real reason guys give Poe a wide berth. I don’t blame them, he’s kind of… terrifying.
That shit runs in the family.
“Anyway, I called Law to come get me because Rue yelled at me for going in the first place and Trink is still… pissed off or whatever. Then I sweet talked him into bringing me here to see you! I feel like you’re a fucking ghost half the time. Impossible to fucking find unless you’re working.”
I shrug. “Sorry, I’ve been busy. My car’s still fucking up so I took it to the garage in town and now I’m freaking the hell out about paying for the fucking thing.”
Poe frowns at me like she’s wounded. “How much did he quote you?”
After checking my watch, I sigh and bend down to do up the straps on my heels. I’ve gotta get back out there soon. “Nine grand. I can pay it but taking that money out of my savings is going to hurt.”
She scoffs and holds out her hand. “Gimme your keys. I’ve never met a car I can’t fix and I’ll only charge you for parts.”
I straighten up, chewing on my lip a little as I figure out what the hell to say to her. She takes my indecision the wrong way.
“What, you think because I’m a girl I can’t do it? I’ve grown up in a garage, I could fix the Chevy in my fucking sleep. Law, tell her I can fucking do it.”
“Posey Graves has never met a car she couldn’t fix, and that’s a fact. She’s fixing shit that no man could, I’m telling you,” Law says, his eyes firmly on the ground now I’m up and getting dressed. It’s very nice and respectful, not what I’m expecting out of a seventeen-year-old guy.
“I’m not doubting you at all, Poe, it’s just… I feel bad for not paying you for your time! Well, that and the fact that my car is all I’ve got left from my dad so it’s kinda like my security blanket. I can’t stand the thought of not having it.”
The fierce look on her face eases off. “Yeah, it’s a beauty. Honestly, I’m excited about getting under the hood. I haven’t seen a ’69 in such good condition before. Besides, you’re my friend. You don’t have to hang out with me and yet here you are, talking to me while the other girls are hating on me.”
I huff out a laugh as I strip my shirt off, shoving it into my bag and grabbing her my keys. “They hate me too. Guess they don’t like girls who are on the Unseen’s radar, good or bad.”
Law gets up and walks away, muttering under his breath about how much he enjoys breathing, which doesn’t make sense.
Poe ignores him as she giggles at me, all sunshine and joy, and my heart clenches at the sight of it. She’s a stunning girl, one that must get a whole lot of attention, but it’s her attitude that knocks the breath right out of you. Standing here in the tiny dark back room of a strip club with a half-naked woman, she looks like she’s totally at peace with her life.
I’m only writhing with jealousy on the inside.
I start fixing up my makeup, fussing just to make sure it’s perfect.
“Thanks. I really appreciate you taking a look, let me know if there’s anything I can do for you in return.”
Poe shrugs and turns as if she’s going to leave but she only makes it a half step before she turns back. “Are any of the girls here sleeping with Rue? You see him here often?”
Oh God.
“Tonight’s the first night in a long time. I know Mel is obsessed with him but I’ve never seen or heard anything. Are you dating him?”
She grins at me and twirls the keys. “I’m seventeen and this fucking close to being allowed to date. This close. Thanks, Angel.”
I smile and get back to my makeup, rushing