Pieces of Summer (A stand-alone novel)(19)

Bad, bad thought process.

By the time I get home, I’m covered in sweat and rain, my heartbeat is in my ears, and I stare at the ceiling above me like it’s going to give me a hug and make everything better.

Somehow I went and made the worst mistake of my life because I couldn’t let go of the past. Well, congratu-f*cking-lations, Mika. Now you get to face your past every single painful day. Great decision. Just great.

“Damn, girl.” Hunter’s voice startles me, and I open my eyes to see him looking me over in a bit of shock. “You look like you need a drink.”

“Or something stronger,” I mutter, wishing we had some pot on hand. Well, I’d wish for it if I was allowed to smoke it.





Chapter 12


MIKA



“Thanks for the ride, sweetheart,” Hunter says as we pull up at the auto repair garage.

“This is the second rental car you’ve torn up since you’ve been here,” I tell him, trying to keep amusement in my tone since Hunter has been watching me closely.

Aidan has been staying busy by photographing some of the local landscape. He’s surprised me by not bringing up the Italian restaurant debacle.

I’ve not been back to the bowling alley in the three days since. I’ve used writing as an excuse to escape, staying holed up in my room or office. Hunter, however, has been overly annoying today and has forced me to get out.

“Damn rental cars are pieces of shit,” he grumbles as I get out.

I walk in with him, soaking in the unusual mild summer day. It’s not sticky hot, and the sun isn’t blaring down on us with a relentless mission.

When we walk in, my eyes collide with a pair of steely blue ones that seem oddly familiar. It’s then I realize it’s the same guy who dropped off Hunter on the first day, but he looks familiar for a different reason.

“Where the hell do I know you from?” the guy asks me, causing my lips to twitch.

He’s tall, nice looking, and has blonde hair. A few tattoos are on his arms, which isn’t surprising since there’s a tattoo shop directly next door.

“I don’t know, but you seem familiar too,” I tell him, stepping closer. “I thought the same thing when you dropped off Hunter.”

Hunter looks between us and rolls his eyes. “Worst pickup line in history and you just fell for it,” he groans.

The guy behind the counter chuckles while handing Hunter a set of keys. “Try to stop grinding the gears or rent an automatic. Not sure how many more rentals they’ll let you go through.” He winks, acting a little cheeky, and Hunter flips him off.

“I drive stick just fine.”

“If you say so,” the guy chirps. My eyes drop to the name that is stitched on his button-down shirt. Blake.

Nope. Doesn’t ring a bell.

“How long you in town?” Blake asks me, swinging his eyes back my way.

“I’m living here indefinitely. At least until I realize it was a big enough mistake to cut my losses and return home.”

He snorts, laughing under his breath. “Hayden is always a mistake unless you’re just staying for the hot, muggy, bug-overloaded summer. You doing anything this weekend? The carnival is having a special light show. It’s sort of a big deal in town.”

“Hello. I could be her boyfriend,” Hunter interjects. “Pretty f*cking rude.”

“You were f*cking Beth, the receptionist next door, just two days ago. Heard all about it,” Blake says without looking away from me.

“Small towns. Forgot why I hated them so much,” Hunter states flatly.

“So this weekend?” Blake prompts.

Dating isn’t allowed, but I could use a friend. Since he doesn’t appeal to me on a romantic level, it would be safe.

Hunter will be gone by the end of summer for a while. Aidan will be gone in large intervals for work. Chuck is married with four kids, so he’s only my friend at work, even though his wife would love to have me over for dinner every night. Whit was really my go-to option for friends after my brother and Hunter left, and she’s currently in bed with the man who ripped my heart out and set it on fire.

Having a friend in town is too appealing to pass up, even if I have to be careful with friendships too.

All the others who work at the bowling alley may eventually be my friends—even though they’ll never be true friends. If I ever go back to the bowling alley, that is. It’s not like I have to be there for it to run. I did what I had to. I fixed it up. I gave myself closure.

So why doesn’t it feel over?

“I think that sounds like a plan. As long as you tell me how to get there,” I say to Jake, ignoring my messy thoughts that are all bumping into each other.

“I’ll pick you up.”

“Hell nah,” Hunter pipes in, shaking his head. “First dates get a meet-in-public arrangement. Not a pick-up-from-home arrangement. Not unless you’re very acquainted with each other. Which you’re not.”

I fight hard not to laugh. Hunter is like a second brother, but he looks utterly ridiculous when he’s wearing pants so tight he’d bust them wide open if he bent over. He loses major intimidation points just because of his wardrobe choices.

Blake just grins, still looking at me. “Fine. Give me your number and I’ll text you the info…” He lets the words trail off, waiting for me to insert my name.