Hot Laps by Shey Stahl Read Free Book Online Page B

hands. I came
     to that conclusion right then in front of him and his grandmother.
    Oh God, gain some fucking control over yourself.
    Please tell me he couldn’t hear my thoughts.
    Just then, Casten’s brow came together, briefly, before he grinned and relaxed his
     expression.
    Okay, maybe he heard. Damn it.
    Up close, laid back and wearing shorts and flip flops, he was even more gorgeous if
     that was possible. I couldn’t understand how one family could have so many pretty
     people in it.
    I couldn’t meet his eyes for some strange reason. They scared me right then. As did
     my own thoughts.
    Or maybe it was the woman next to him who scared me. I didn’t want to say anything
     stupid in fear that that was his grandma. I wasn’t exactly sure it was his grandmother
     but I assumed it had to be.
    He had this strange intense look on his face like he wanted to say something while
     his grandmother beamed at me.
    He went to say something and then his cheeks flushed. Was the engine builder blushing?
    “This pretty girl here is Grandma, Nancy.” He ruffled her hair playfully. “Grammy,
     this is Hayden. She’s Tate’s niece.”
    “Nice to me you, Hayden.”
    Despite my nerves, I shook her hand and then had this rush to just get the fuck out
     of there in fear I would say something dirty to him in front of his grandmother. I
     couldn’t have that. No way.
    I suddenly felt stupid because I couldn’t form a response to save my ass nor could
     I break away from his eyes.
    With my eyes on my feet, I mumbled, “Okay, see you.” And walked out before I could
     say anything else.
    Only problem was I fell flat on my face.
    Immediately I jumped up, trying to save myself the humiliation. Casten was there right
     away helping me up. “Are you okay?”
    I started laughing, like hysterical giggles that this would happen to me right then.
    “I’m good.” I said, picking up my bag of food that thankfully didn’t get squished
     and ran to my car.
    Of all the days to trip!

    Scraped knees and a raw toe later, I was back inside my apartment eating my food and
     reflecting on the last hour where I made a complete fool of myself.
    “You should probably quit,” I told myself after my fourth chicken tender smothered
     in garlic sauce.
    “Nah, because then how else will I afford this luxury lifestyle.” Again, I said this
     to myself.
    I moved out four months ago when my parents told me I needed to grow up. Maybe growing
     up, or being responsible, didn’t include searching Craigslist for a roommate but in
     my opinion, I liked to think it was resourceful. It probably wasn’t responsible that
     I lived off my college savings from my grandparents either.
    Mine and Adam’s apartment was in a part of town where bars on your windows and doors
     should have been required. It had a security system but a lot of good that did since
     it was broken.
    When you walked inside, dingy white walls reminded you of the heavy smokers who once
     lived there before us.
    When you walked in, an old burnt orange couch Adam’s mom gave us sat pushed against
     the wall. It was our only seating.
    Straight ahead was the kitchen where neither of us cooked unless it came from a box
     or could be made in the microwave. Off the kitchen was a balcony that I jumped off
     two weeks ago and sprained my ankle trying to avoid the landlord looking for rent
     money.
    Down the hall was two bedrooms and one bathroom that you literally had to turn sideways
     in to close the door. Then when you did, your knees slammed against the door.
    It wasn’t a great place, but I was on my own and that felt good.
    Now, if I could keep from embarrassing myself at work, or getting fired, I would be
     okay.
    I didn’t quit my job. Instead, I went back on Wednesday, believe it or not. And I
     hadn’t been fired yet. Part of me thought after last night Casten might have told
     his dad he needed to get rid of the harebrained lunatic who keeps staring at him.
    Apparently he hadn’t