The Biker and the Loner (Oil and Water #3)- S. Ann Cole Page 0,15
I picked up, sometimes I didn’t. He would force me to talk about myself—my family, my studies, my aspirations, my father, what book I was reading... I indulged him because I figured he was lonely or even terrified over there and conversations with me were probably his way of getting his mind off of it. Though I would often wonder why he chose to call me instead of Kendra or Grunt.
Scratch and I had never been friends. For me, he’d been my biggest crush, and for him, I’d been a “crazy bitch.” On random occasions, we were forced to spend time together if I was too drunk to drive and Grunt couldn’t take me home himself and asked Scratch to do it.
Beyond that, all we’d had was one night of deflowering and revealed secrets. So I couldn’t understand why he wanted so much from me all of a sudden.
Still, I’d allowed him to reel me in bit by bit, phone call after phone call. Soon, I started to care too much. The infatuation I harbored before quadrupled, and I began to miss something we never even had. I found myself looking forward to his calls, and when they didn’t come for long stretches, I’d suffer crazy anxiety until he rang.
It became too much for me. I cared too much. Fretted too much.
Worried that he would die, worried that he would survive. Sleepless nights. Depression and apprehension between the weeks and weeks before his next call. I had to cut it off. No more calls. No more.
I simply couldn’t handle playing the army girlfriend. I’d gotten too close and needed to undo that so I could live my days without fretting about him.
Now he’s back and he’s making sure I know that and see it.
I jerk my eyes away from his soul-stripping stare only because my phone buzzes on the table, snagging my attention. Feeling released—because damn if that stare didn’t hold me hostage just now—I snatch it up and check the screen.
Kendra: Hey boo! How’s Zac’s debut going?
Me: They. Are. Killing it.
Kendra: Woot woot! So wish I was there
Me: I recorded some of it for you. We miss you. When are you coming home?
Kendra: In a few weeks. We’ve got a couple more appearances. This game launch is a pain in my ass
Me: The payout is worth the pain *money bag emoji*. You’re getting like zillions of dollars to just show up. Like, literally that’s all you do. Show up.
Kendra: Don’t forget answering questions. Tons. I HATE answering questions
Me: But… *money bag emoji*
Kendra: LOL
Kendra: So, which of Zac’s pussy pets are you babysitting this time?
Me: Some chica named Mindy. I had to lie and say I’m his cousin. Long story. I’ll tell you over Skype tomorrow.
Kendra: He’s such a slut. I still think he’ll settle down for you though
Me: Not happening.
Kendra: Dream killa! *sad face emoji*
Kendra: If you date him we could be like in-law sisters. Or something
Me: I’m three years older than him!
Kendra: And?
Before I can tap out a reply, my phone is snatched out of my hand.
“What the—” I twist around in my chair and look up. Scratch is there, his face lit with the glow from my phone screen as he reads my texts.
Shooting to my feet, I try to grab my phone from him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”
He’s so much taller than me that all he has to do is raise the phone out of reach and I’m a mere yapping pup on the ground.
He begins typing.
“Give me back my phone!” I hiss, not wanting to create a scene and ruin Isaac’s big night.
My demand is ignored as he types, wait, reads…types, wait, reads...types, waits, reads…
What on earth could he be telling her???
After a few short minutes of texting, reading, and replying, he shoves the phone back to me and plops down in the chair next to mine at the table, scaring the crap out of Mindy.
Getting a proper hold of my phone, I quickly check the screen.
Me: AND…
Me: SHE ALREADY GOT A MAN
Kendra: Huh?
Me: STOP TRYNA HOOK HER UP OR YOU AND ME WILL HAVE WORDS
Kendra: Wait, is this Scratch?
Me: YUP
Kendra: Of course. Always with those freaking all caps. So annoying
Kendra: Why do you have Ley’s phone?
Me: BECAUSE SHE’S MINE. STOP TRYNA HOOK HER UP.
Me: WHO’S ZAC? TELL ME SO I CAN PUNCH HIS FACE IN.
Kendra: You will not! And what do you mean Ley’s yours? You’ve only been back for three days