How (Not) to Fall in Love(17)

I hoped that if I wished hard enough, my wish would come true.





Chapter Eight


September 30


The Grim Reaper, as I’d decided to call the truck, was a champ. We made it down the mountain with no problems. The only thing wrong with it was the sound system. My parents had actually driven that thing around listening only to AM radio? How had they survived? I mean, I wasn’t expecting an MP3 jack but at least FM?

After listening to some political blathering on talk radio for a few minutes, I turned it off and looked at Toby. “Guess we’ll just have to sing to ourselves, Toblerone.”

And so we did. I sang most of the Wicked soundtrack, which I’d memorized during the hours spent listening to Sal rehearsing it. Toby chimed in with a howl every once in a while.

My dad had been so mad when I taught Toby to sing. “Don’t encourage that god-awful howling,” he’d growled at my nine-year-old self.

“It’s not howling, it’s singing,” I’d protested.

At the time, Toby and I were singing along to pop music Dad hated. Looking back, I think that was the problem. If we’d been singing to music Dad approved of, like the Rolling Stones, he might’ve cheered us on.

We must have been a funny sight driving down the highway, Toby and me singing in an old truck that belched an occasional blue puff of smoke with a BMPRCRP license plate. Dad said it meant “Bumper Crop” for Harvest, but in my mind it was always “Bumper Crap.”

Once we hit civilization again, Mom and I pulled into a 7-Eleven to gas up our vehicles.

“I’m going into Pam’s office for the afternoon,” Mom said. “But you don’t have to go back to school. Enjoy your mental health day.”

“Thanks.” I grinned at her. It felt good to play hooky on a school day, since I never did.



Back in town, Toby and I stopped at the Chewybacca Boutique. My former allowance of one hundred bucks a week had dwindled to an occasional twenty from Mom. I’d saved enough to buy a bag of the good stuff for Toby. Next, I ran into the grocery store to grab some Doritos and fruit. Mom had said to buy healthy food, thus the fruit. Now I’d used up most of my cash. God, I needed money.

Charlie had texted me over the weekend, checking in on us. His warmth and concern drew me like a magnet to his corner of town, plus I had more questions about my dad. And there was always the possibility of eye candy, if Lucas was working.

I drove to his shop, then parked a block away and sat debating with myself, suddenly overcome by shyness, remembering how I’d practically run out of the store last time.

“This is stupid,” I muttered aloud. “Stop being such a coward.”

Visor mirror inspection for food in teeth. Check. Cell phone ready in case anything weird happened and I needed to fake getting an emergency text. Check. God, I was so not my dad’s Tri!Umphant! daughter. He’d walk into this store like he owned the place and sell a full set of his life-changing DVDs to anyone within shouting distance.

As I approached the store, Lucas nodded at me from the sidewalk where he leaned against the wall, smoking a cigarette. Too bad he smoked; that was the only problem with his otherwise perfect look. I tripped on the curb while fumbling with Toby’s leash. Oh yeah, I was gonna rock this.

Toby dragged me toward Lucas, who flicked his cigarette butt into a trash can. “Nasty habit. One of these days I’ll kick it.” He bent down to rub Toby’s ears. “So you got some new wheels?” He stood up, tilting his head toward the truck.

“More like old wheels. It’s my dad’s truck.” I ducked my head, embarrassed. “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I lived on a farm.” I glanced up to find him watching me curiously.

“I like trucks. Not just any girl can pull off driving one.”

What the heck did that mean? I was too flustered to ask.

He held the door open for me, bowing and flashing a grin. “Come on in, niece of Charlie.”

Toby dragged me into the store, his nose seeking out the donuts. My uncle was nowhere in sight. “Where is he?” I asked.

Lucas put a hand in his front pocket and he pulled out his cell. My gaze followed his movement, straight to his crotch. I blushed and looked desperately around the store for something else to stare at.

“Hang on a sec.” Lucas’s fingers tapped on his cell. I assumed he was texting Charlie to announce my arrival.

My body felt turned inside out, all of my nerves skittering along the surface of my skin instead of staying inside where they belonged. What was wrong with me? Woodbridge was filled with hot guys but I never reacted like this. Not even around Ryan.

Lucas sauntered to the other side of the counter with Toby close at his heels.

“Toby!” Embarrassed, I snapped my fingers at my dog. “Get over here.” Toby ignored me, watching Lucas with adoration.

Lucas laughed. “Looks like Toby’s still in love with me.”

“Apparently so.” I returned Lucas’s smile, forcing myself to maintain eye contact.

Get a grip Darcy. You’re here to see your uncle. Your life is falling apart. This is no time for a hormonal meltdown.

“Water?” Lucas asked. “Coffee?” He grinned. “Just black coffee here; no hazelnut.”

“Water please.” I feigned interest in a stack of old magazines on the counter. Maybe if I didn’t look at him, he’d go away.