Still The One - Carrie Elks Page 0,13

the drive-in, he’d arrive every evening when her shift ended and insisted on making sure she got home safely.

But that was then. When they were kids. Best friends.

More.

Something they hadn’t been for the longest of times.

They reached the edge of her mom’s front yard, and the messy, overgrown lawn made her feel exposed. Another thing to add to her list of things to do. Did her mom even have a lawn mower that worked?

She noticed he was staring, too. Heat stung at her cheeks.

“I’m going to cut it later,” she told him. “Craig’s left and Mom’s not well.”

He frowned. “You need any help?”

“We’re good. She’ll be okay. Zoe and I have it covered.” She inclined her head at the tiny house. “I should go inside.”

“Sure. But if you need anything, I’m around.” The ghost of a smile passed over his lips. “Same place as always.”

“Okay then…” she trailed off, knowing she wouldn’t take him up on his offer. “I guess I’ll see you sometime.”

“I guess you will.” He sounded certain of it. And damn if that deep, warm voice didn’t send a shot of pleasure right through her. Stupid, betraying body. It was so easily pleased.

She walked along the cracked path to the dirty front steps of her house, ignoring the way her heart was clamoring against her ribcage. It was the exercise, that was all. A simple physiological reaction to a five mile run.

Nothing to do with the six-foot-three muscled guy who was watching her from the end of her front yard.

What the hell was he still doing there anyway?

“So, bye,” she said, lifting her hand up. She crouched down to find the key she’d stashed back in the dry plant pot, then stood and slid it into the lock.

When the door creaked open, she allowed herself one last glance over her shoulder.

Luckily for her heart, he’d gone.

Chapter Six

“These are all overdue,” Van said, passing the stack of bills to her mom. “They need paying or everything gets shut off.”

“They won’t shut us off,” Kim said, sounding certain of herself. “I’ll call and tell them Craig’s left. That should give us some time.”

Van blew out a mouthful of air, trying hard not to get frustrated. Her mom still didn’t have a clue how the real world worked. She never had. As long as Van could remember, she pushed responsibility onto other people.

Van. Craig. Maybe Zoe one day.

“Have you paid the rent this month at least?” Van asked, trying to keep her voice even.

Kim shrugged. “No. But it doesn’t matter. They don’t mind when I don’t pay.”

“Mr. Klein doesn’t mind?” Van still had the vivid memories of hiding behind the sofa with her mom when he’d come over and hammer on the door, demanding payment. Her mom would hold her palm over Van’s mouth as he walked around the house, peering through windows to see if they were there.

She could remember the times he’d come at night, too. Those were when her mom would let him in wearing only a shiny silk wrap and and shoo Van to her room, telling her to go to bed and not come out.

The memory sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine.

“Mr. Klein sold this place years ago. No idea who the landlord is now. I pay through Fairfax Realty.” She screwed her face up, and no wonder. Before Van was born, her mom worked for Johnny Fairfax as his assistant. According to the town gossip, she was fired under a black cloud, accused of stealing a large amount of money. Whether that was true or not, Van had no idea. Her mom refused to talk about it, and Van really didn’t want to know.

Didn’t stop Johnny and his wife, Nora from looking down on her when she was growing up, though. Or their daughter, Chrissie, treating Van like trash at school.

“They don’t mind when you pay the rent late?” Van asked, frowning.

“They don’t have a choice. I’ll pay when I can.” She shrugged and walked to the refrigerator, scowling when she pulled it open. “Ugh, Zoe must have finished the juice.”

“I’m going grocery shopping later. You’ll have to drink water until then.” Van took the bills and piled them up. The need to get out of this house pulled at her. “I think I’ll head into town for a while. Do some work at the diner.” She gave her mom a pointed look. “Tomorrow we need to make a budget. And talk about you getting a job.”

“Do we have to?” her mom’s voice