The Ex Factor - Erin McCarthy Page 0,49

her daddy found out she’d spent some of the grocery money. But even that hide tanning hadn’t soured her on makeup.

There were only a few occasions, usually before eight in the morning, where she fervently wished she didn’t have to put on her face. But for the most part, she appreciated the transformation. It took her ordinary looks and made her feel glamorous, grown up.

Still, since Chance was waiting, she skipped the false eyelashes, sticking with a smoky eye and a neutral lip.

“I’m ready,” she said a mere seventeen minutes later.

Chance was on the couch pretending to be asleep. He was even fake snoring.

She laughed. “I thought you said you weren’t seven. Could have fooled me.”

His eyes twitched but he didn’t break his breathing.

So she jumped on him, butt on gut. His eyes flew open and he started laughing, grabbing her before she could leap back off of him.

“No tickling!” She was scrambling away, but he had her around the waist.

“No jumping on me.”

By the time she escaped his grip she was breathless, her hair in her eyes. “Do you want to drive?”

He stopped grappling at her. “For real?”

“Yes, for real. I don’t feel like driving.” Besides, she knew how much he hated being driven around and she didn’t want to create stress. She was worried about their lack of creativity. She didn’t need to spark any tension between them.

“Awesome, thanks.” He stood up and hummed a melody. “She’s got a big ‘ole truck,” he sang. “Where she likes to-

Jolene cut him off with a hand out and some raised eyebrows. “The songwriting dry spell clearly continues.” She shook her head. “I hope that fresh air cuts through the cobwebs or we are as done as dinner, mister.”

Chance gave her a panty-melting grin. “At least it was a good meal.”

Eleven

Chance was in a great mood, and he wanted everyone to know it. After getting himself some fried pickles at the diner, he impulsively swung into a parking spot down the road from the Blue Bird. He turned to Jolene. “Let’s go in and have a beer.”

She gave him a curious look. “I thought you hated being seen together in public.”

She made his feelings sound so… bad. “That isn’t true. I just don’t enjoy being harassed when we do something as simple as going to the coffee shop. That’s all. I like being with you.”

Jolene was relaxed, but she didn’t exactly seem eager. He would have thought she’d jump at the chance to make them look like a couple, though he knew better to say that out loud.

“How worried should we be that we’ve got nada written for this album?” she asked.

“Let’s worry tomorrow.” He reached over and tweaked her nose. “We wrote yesterday. Today is just our off day.”

She looked unconvinced but she didn’t push it. Instead she glanced into the back seat. “We already left Dolly in the car while you ate. I don’t know if we should leave her again.”

For once, he appreciated some of the perks that came along with being famous. “If we walk into the Blue Bird, do you think anyone is going to give a crap we have a dog with us?”

“There are health codes and what not.”

“Whatever.” Chance turned the truck off and opened his door. In fifteen seconds he was around the passenger side and opening her door, holding out his hand. He studied her, wanting her to understand that he wanted to put the past behind them. Move forward. “Let’s give them a show, JoJo. That’s what you want, right? For them to see us as a team.”

She pursed her lips. “Why do I feel like I’m being set up?”

He grinned. “I’m not throwing you a surprise party, and I didn’t tip off the media that we’d be here. I’m just being impulsive.”

“You are good at that.” She took his hand and slid out of the truck. “I’m only doing this because I don’t want to fight with you. And because I could use a beer.”

He laughed. “Fair enough.” He reached into the back seat for Dolly, who was already eagerly scrambling over the seat and out of the cab. “Hey, girl, let’s go listen to some music.” He grabbed Dolly’s leash and gave Jolene a wink. “Both my favorite girls.”

“You’re trying too hard. Just stop.”

But she was pleased, he could tell. He enjoyed making her smile. “Hell, maybe this will inspire us.”

“Or terrify us. We could be walking in on the duo that is going to replace us at the