Second Chance Boyfriend (Drew + Fable #2)(22)

That’s it? That’s all I get? No oh my God, you’re my hero, Fable or profusions of undying love? Not that I expected the last one but holy hell, we go from not talking or seeing each other for over two months, to all sorts of interaction with each other in the span of a few hours.

I don’t know if I can take this, especially when he’s acting like our reunion is no big deal.

“Need directions to my place?” he asks when I pull out of the parking lot.

“Um, I thought I could go straight to my house.” I don’t want to take him to his place. Then how would I get home?

“I can’t drive. I’m all sorts of f**ked up.”

In more ways than one, I want to tell him but keep my lips shut. “So what? If I take you home, who’s going to take me home?”

“Call your boyfriend.” He shrugs, but the venom in his words is clear.

“My boyfriend?” I stop at a red light and turn to look at him. His eyes are open and he’s watching me, his expression wary. “Who are you talking about?”

“The guy who interrupted us earlier. Your f**king boss, Fable. Or should I say the boss you’re f**king?”

Oh. My. God. Where the hell did he get that idea? “I should pull over right now and dump you on the side of the road.”

“Go for it. I’ll call the cops and say you stole my truck.”

Who is this guy? I give him my best, meanest stare, the one that scares the crap out of Owen every time I use it on him. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He glares at me right back. “Try me.”

The light turns green and I gun the engine, my foot pressing the gas pedal so hard we both lurch forward in our seat. The truck takes off quickly, the tires squealing against the asphalt, making me wince. Drew’s muttering curses under his breath but I don’t care. I ignore him, let the power of the truck’s engine propel me down the road, erasing my thoughts until all I feel is the speed.

But I can’t control my mind, no matter how much I want to. It’s awhirl with questions. Why did he think Colin and I were together? Why would Drew text me to come get him if he thought that was the case? Why was he at the strip club? Did he have his hands all over a stripper? I swear I can smell cheap perfume lingering on his clothes. The idea that he was with another girl, had his hands on some stupid stripper, even momentarily, fills me with so much rage, my foot presses on the gas pedal even harder.

“Are you trying to get us into a wreck?”

His quiet voice pierces my thoughts, reminding me I’m driving like a reckless jackass, and I ease up on the gas, evening out to a more moderate speed. “Sorry,” I murmur, embarrassed that I’m acting the fool.

My usual mode of operation when I’m in Drew’s presence.

We’re silent the rest of the drive, with the exception of Drew telling me where to turn to get to his apartment. The neighborhoods gets nicer and nicer the farther and farther I drive. I’m filled with jealousy as I take in the trees that line the street, the perfectly manicured lawns with bright bursts of colorful flowers, even in the middle of winter. Landscapers maintain all of the lawns on this side of town and they are utter perfection.

Unlike the grass and yards in my neighborhood, which are uneven and brown in spots. No pretty flowers in sight where I live. We mostly have overgrown shrubs at my apartment complex. They hide all the flaws well.

“Nice place,” I say once I pull into the parking spot he directs me to. It’s covered, of course. And the complex is gated, keeping the riffraff out. Like me. I’m considered riffraff, I’m sure.

“Do you need to call your boyfriend to pick you up?” he asks, his voice low. Downright menacing.

I shut off the engine and turn to him, hoping my expression is as incredulous as I feel. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

He raises his brows. “So the guy who basically told me to take a hike isn’t your boyfriend.”

“He’s not. He’s my boss. That’s it.” I slowly shake my head, pissed that I even have to explain myself.

“Why would he say he was with you last night, then?”

I’m gaping. I can’t believe what Drew just said. “What?”

“That’s what he told me. He asked who I was and I told him I was your…boyfriend. Then he laughed and said something like, where the hell was I since he was with you last night.” Drew’s mouth tightened into a flat, thin line. “Were you with him?”

God, I was. It sounds so bad, too. I don’t want to admit the truth but I can’t lie to Drew. There shouldn’t be any more lies between us. Honesty needs to be our only policy. “Yes,” I admit, my voice small. I don’t want to tell him Colin took me to a salon and paid for my makeover, a makeover Drew doesn’t even seem to notice.

He looks away from me, blowing out a harsh breath. His jaw is tight, I see a slight tic in it and I know he’s beyond pissed. “Just admit it, Fable. You’ve moved on. I can’t blame you. I f**ked this all up by not responding to you. I asked for this.”

“Asked for what? I’m not with my boss, not in the way you think. We’re definitely not together.”

He looks at me again. “You’re not?”

“No,” I say, slowly shaking my head. “We’re not. He’s my boss. I wouldn’t screw around with my boss.”