My mom taught me to run. To hide. To never stay put. To always be aware.
Time didn't feel finite until I lost her.
I'm alone in the world.
If I run now, I'll be running forever. It's time to stop. Turn around. Take a stand.
Stick to one goal. Seems simple. I didn't bargain on a mellow grease monkey being such a distraction.
Giving in was supposed to be a one-night affair. Yet, somehow, he becomes my roommate, my friend with benefits... my rock.
He offers stability. Security. With him, I don't feel alone anymore.
As I follow the complex mystery across the country and back, the pieces still don't fit the puzzle. Steamy nights and days on the road take me closer to the truth. Except...
Danny doesn't know my secrets. Not all of them. I should confess, but don't know how.
How do I tell him that his life is in danger?
He'll ask why? And the answer...?
Because I'm too selfish to let him go.
Warning: Contains explicit language and imagery. Suitable only for ages 18 and over.
Excerpt from chapter three...
Tess rubbed her temple. "What is wrong with you?"
"Geez, lady, loosen up," he said like she was killing his buzz. "Who fucking died?"
Well, if that wasn't just the absolute wrong thing to say.
Slamming a hand on the counter, Tess lunged toward him. "Funny you should ask, my mom did. I am trying to find the vehicle she died in. Cops said it was here."
He took the news in his stride, without any sign of contrition or humility. "Makes you Little Red," he said, boosting his shoulder off the wall.
"What?"
"Corvette."
"Oh," she said, realizing he was paying attention. "Yeah. It's a Corvette."
Slapping a heavy hand onto the book that lay by the register, he dragged it along the counter toward himself. "Obviously not a music fan."
"I know Little Red Corvette, thank you very much."
Opening the book, he licked his dirty fingers to leaf through the smudged pages. Mechanics dealt with a lot of grime, grease, and oil. Filth, she supposed, was part of the job.
"Offend you?" he asked, glancing up.
"If you're calling me easy, yes."
Though, in truth, all of her sexual encounters were of the brief and easy variety. Necessity kept them that way. Tess and her mom adopted a "don't-ask, don't-tell" policy on that score.
"Free spirited," he said, trying to show her a smile.
