Bucked by Cat Johnson Read Free Book Online Page A

better explain or risk a good ribbing from Slade after all the torture he’d inflicted on his friend. Though in Mustang’s defense, Slade’s cell phone usage had become extreme the moment he and Jenna had become a long-distance couple.
    “It was under protest. Your girlfriend made me get one of those pay-as-you-go phones because she’s convinced I’m going to die along the highway somewhere between New Jersey and Texas.”
    She planted her hands on her hips. “That’s like a thousand miles. You could break down and need help or something. In this day and age it is simply archaic to not have a cell phone for emergencies. I can’t believe you lived this long without one.”
    At this point, agreeing with her seemed like the way to go. “I know. You’re right. Thank you for being concerned.”
    Jenna looked the happiest he’d seen her since his injury. That had been simple. He should give in and humor her more often, just like Slade usually did. Slade was no dummy after all.
    While she was happy and leaving him alone, Mustang figured he better get while the getting was good. “I guess I should be heading out now. Long drive ahead.”
    “Did you take your pain pill?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I did.”
    Jenna nodded, satisfied. “Good, and I checked. It’s fine for you to drive while you’re taking them.”
    Mustang shot a sidelong glance at the behemoth vehicle parked nearby. The one he’d be driving one-handed halfway across the country. “Good to know.”
    “I put a bottle of water in the console next to you in case you get thirsty or need to take another pill,” Jenna threw in quickly as Mustang was about to turn toward the trailer.
    Slade hooked an arm around her neck, probably to keep her from running over and showing Mustang exactly where in the console that water was. “Jenna. He lives in the trailer. He’s got everything he needs inside.”
    “I know, but when he’s driving he might not want to stop or there might not be anyplace to pull over.”
    “If that’s the case he shouldn’t be drinking ’cause eventually the man is gonna have to stop and take a piss from all that water.”
    Slade kissed the top of her head as a scowl twisted her lips.
    Shaking his head, Mustang opened the driver’s side door but couldn’t resist turning back for one last hug from Jenna. “You drive yourself safely back to New York. Okay, darlin’?”
    “I will.” Her eyes looked a little misty so Mustang moved on before he got choked up himself.
    This was starting to feel too much like goodbye. Three or four months wasn’t forever, but it sure felt like a damn long time right now.
    He moved on to Slade, slapping him on the back. “You be careful in that bad-ass muscle car of yours. Don’t speed too fast on the way to Baltimore because I won’t be there to bail you out of jail if you get caught.”
    “He won’t.” Jenna answered with a warning glance at her boyfriend.
    Slade smiled. “Don’t worry about me, man. You just take care of yourself and let that arm heal.”
    “I will.” What choice did he have?
    “Call when you get home.” Jenna jumped in. “Or even before you get there from the road. Okay? You have five-hundred minutes loaded on your phone to start and remember you can add more when you need to.”
    After he found a job, made the trailer payments and had money left over, he’d do just that, but he sure as hell wasn’t borrowing money from his parents. Over his dead body.
    Mustang nodded. “I remember. Thank you.”
    Seeing that Jenna may have possibly run out of instructions for the moment, he took the opportunity to climb into the cab of the trailer.
    He slammed the door and rolled down the window. As he fired up the diesel engine, he shouted out one last goodbye. Mustang made sure he looked extra confident driving one-handed until he was out of sight of Jenna and Slade. Then he breathed a sigh.
    He’d held on to the happy face for their benefit but it was going to be a long, lonely drive.