Nets and Lies(44)

I gingerly took it in mine. Instantly, electricity pulsed through me. Oh shit, not again. Do not even think about it! I tried not focusing on how his hands were surprisingly soft for such a rough looking guy. Finally, I found my voice. “I’m Jordan Solano.”

He nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

We stood there staring at each other before I finally cleared my throat. “Yeah, well, I better go. Manny will be on my ass for being late.”

“Okay.”

Nick leaned over and picked up my bag. “I’m really sorry about your shirt. I wish you’d let me pay you.”

“No, no, it’s okay. My mom bought a ton of them on Monday for my new school.”

He handed it to me, and I quickly tossed it in the bag. “Well, thanks again,” he said, before I walked outside.

We were actually fairly busy that night, and I didn’t get a break until almost eight. “Hey Jordan, take out the trash before you take your fifteen minutes,” Manny instructed.

“Thanks a lot,” I grumbled as I swept up the overflowing black bag of trash. The moment I opened the back door, a cloud of smoke blew into my face. Nick sat on the edge of the cement steps, a cigarette in hand.

He whirled around. “Hey, Jordan.”

“Hey yourself.”

“Taking a break?”

I nodded as I tossed the trash into the dumpster before walking over to him.

“Wanna sit down?” he asked.

My mind screamed, No, I shouldn’t. I should right back around and get my ass inside—where I’d be safe…away from you! But I smiled and eased down beside him. When I did, a black case fell at his feet, causing my heart to sink.

He met my eyes, and I shook my head. “Listen, dude, that’s not cool.”

“Look, I can explain—”

I held up my hand. “No, there’s no explaining. You’re obviously out here shooting up or something with that drug case.”

Suddenly, he was laughing really hysterically at my side.

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, being high is so funny. Your shit could lose Manny his license or something.”

“Jordan,” he began, still unable to contain his laughter, “this isn’t a drug case.”

I arched my eyebrows. “It isn’t?”

He shook his head. Without taking his eyes off of mine, he leaned forward and picked it up. He handed it to me.

“See for yourself.”

I gingerly took it in my hands. My fingers found the zipper on the side, and I slid it open. When I saw what it was, I stared up at him in surprise. “This is a Bible.”

“Yep, it sure is.”

“But…” I stared dumbly at the black Bible with the gold embossed lettering.

“Hmm, I think I get what you’re implying. What’s a guy like me doing out here with the good book?”

I blushed, maybe for the first time in my entire life. “I’m sorry.”

Nick grinned. “It’s okay. I’d probably think the same thing.” He stubbed his cigarette out on the concrete and looked back up at me. “Want me to tell you why?”

In the true smartass fashion of the Old Jordan, I said, “Not if you’re gonna preach to me or try to save my soul or something!”

“No, I’m not going to preach to you,” he assured. His grin spread across his face, causing those beautiful baby blues to twinkle.

“All right then.”

Drawing in a ragged breath, he said, “I’ve led a pretty messed up life the past couple of years.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

Nick shrugged. “It’s okay.” He glanced over at me with a serious expression. “This time last year you would’ve found me with a drug case. I was a junkie living on the streets. But one day, I decided I wanted to get clean. I wanted to make something of myself. So, I got help, and I’ve been clean ever since.”

“And the Bible?” I asked.

He tapped the casing with his fingers. “It’s all part of me rebuilding my life. You know, part of the Twelve Steps of AA—alcohol was just another one of my vices.”

I stared in amazement at him. No one had ever been that open and vulnerable with me—especially someone I barely knew. “Why did you just tell me that?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“Because I saw something in you—something that made me realize I could trust you.”

I smirked at him. “I suppose seeing my boobs had nothing to do with it?”

Nick laughed. I liked how it sounded—it warmed me from my head to my toes. “No, Jordan, seeing your rack had nothing to do with it, I promise. I’m so much deeper than that.”

We sat in silence. Nick lit another cigarette. I leaned over and snatched it from his fingers. I brought it to my lips and took a long drag. I handed it back to him. “Interesting,” he said. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a smoker.”

“We all have our dirty little habits.”

Nick chuckled. “Yeah, I guess we do. I gave up two nasty habits only to embrace another.”

Manny interrupted us by poking his head out the door. “You two have had a long enough break.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, rising to my feet. I turned back to Nick. “Thanks for the smoke.”