Then I’m alone again. It’s all good until I spot Cassidy’s sidekick, Lauren, making her way toward me. “Just so you know, Garver is trouble. You should stay away from him.”

  “Did your friend send you back here?”

  “Cassidy can’t stand Garver, but no, I’m trying to be nice. He’s using you.”

  “Why should I listen to you?”

  She tosses up her hands. “Believe what you want. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

  “Wait!”

  She stops and turns in my direction. “You picked the wrong person to be friends with. Do you think we like riding the bus to and from school? Ask Garver why we got our parking permits revoked. Ask him why he’s an outcast.”

  “Why won’t anyone tell me?”

  “Look, you’re new here and we got off on the wrong foot. Cassidy wants to see you fail, so she’s not going to say anything, but I can’t sit back and let him pretend to be someone he’s not. Just ask him. It’s not a secret. Everyone in town knows Garver.” She leaves me to simmer on her words. It’s almost threatening. My stomach twists when I imagine being used, but I’m not a fragile little flower. I can say no. I can also handle myself in a bad situation. I’m smart enough to know when to back away. So far Garver has only been nice to me. He said basically the same thing about these girls. The bad blood between he and Cassidy is obvious, but at this point it’s none of my business. I’m avoiding drama, not getting involved in it.

  Dad isn’t home when the bus drops me off. There’s a note on the kitchen table that says he’s meeting with the job foreman about starting next week. I sink down in a chair feeling relieved. We may need to eat peanut butter and jelly for the next week, but then we’ll have money coming in.

  Since he is finally making an effort, I decide to still take Garver up on the bowling alley job. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden a bike, and from all the walking yesterday my legs feel like they’re going to fall off. I’ll be huffing and puffing while peddling it toward town. All I can think about is what Lauren said. Was Garver completely leading me on? If so, why would he tell me about the job? Why feed me and go out of his way to make me feel welcome? He’s been honest about wanting to get with me, but never made me feel like I should be afraid of him. However, it seems that every single person has the same opinion of him and I need to know why.

  Riding the bike was a good idea before I remembered the tires were flat and it was covered in spider webs. There are no such things as cabs or Ubers in this town, so my only option is to skip going, or walk again. After raiding the cabinets for a pack of ramen noodles and a glass of water, I’m determined to get that job, so I bite the bullet and prepare for the hike I’m about to endure.

  The thunder roars in the distance. It starts raining almost as soon as my feet hit the pavement. I’m not going to melt, so I continue. Unsure they’ll hire a drowned rat; I pray it lets off so I have time to dry. My hair is dripping when I see Dad’s truck coming toward me. My arms begin flailing above my head in hopes he’ll see me and stop. A gust of wind sprinkles the rain painfully against my face as I turn to see him come to a full stop. The truck begins to reverse and soon stops beside me. “What are you doing? Get in.”

  I don’t speak to my father until I’m safely inside the dry vehicle. He pulls off his flannel shirt, leaving the Henley underneath and passes it to me. “You’re going to catch a cold, Soph.”

  “I was trying to get to town. Someone told me the bowling alley has a job opening. I tried to ride the bike, but the tires are flat,” I explain while cuddling the oversized button up around me.

  Dad doesn’t take me to town. He heads home instead. “You can’t go looking like you played in a puddle. Get your clothes changed and I’ll run you back and wait for you. I don’t want you walking, Soph. I know you think you’re an adult, but you’re still my daughter and I’m responsible for you. You’re all I got, kid.” He rubs the top of my head as he says it, and for the first time in forever it feels like he’s comforting me.

  “You’re in a good mood.” I can’t help noticing the change in him. “Did the big job start up?”

  “We start in two days. It’s going to be a lot of long hours, but the pay is excellent. We get a substantial bonus if we finish ahead of schedule. It’s going to be good for us, Soph. We’ll get back on our feet again, I promise. I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. I know you hate me right now and I’m going to change that.”

  Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, I smile and pray this will stick. “I really hope you mean it.” I’m all about positivity, but Dad has let me down time and time again. As much as I want to think he can wake up one day changed, I know it takes a lot more than a good paying job to fix the damage he’s done to his life.

  Since realizing I’m going to have to spend more time alone in our creepy ass house, I’m determined to snag that job. Heading inside to change my clothes, I spend a little extra time drying my hair and applying fresh makeup. Expecting Dad to be downstairs with his head in a bottle, I mentally prepare to remain positive no matter the outcome. At this point I’ll work anywhere, even on a chicken farm scooping shit. Dad may be motivated, but I’m determined just the same. Hell or high water, I’m getting away from this place. I’m going to college, even if I have to take one class at a time and pay for it out of my own pocket. I don’t want to let my mom down. I can’t. She lived for me, so I need to respect that and make her proud.

  Dad is still outside when I go looking for him. He’s found a pump and has inflated the bike’s tires. With the kickstand in place, it sits on the front porch. He’s leaning on the railing when our eyes meet. “In case you get the job.”

  It’s not a car, but it’s something. He’s trying, and deserves credit where it’s due. I need this man. I need him to be okay. For me. For us. “I don’t hate you, Dad.”

  He doesn’t reply, but instead smirks and walks back to the truck. Maybe it’s all he needed to hear. Maybe it needed to be said. Either way, it’s out there. He’s not alone. He hasn’t ever been. I know I’m a reminder, but I’m also his daughter. I need him to be my father again.

  Chapter 7

  My first impression of the bowling alley is that the building is close to being condemned. Without the small lettering on the front door, there isn’t a visible sign displayed showing it’s a business. From the outside, the old cinder block building has been painted several shades of gray. I can tell from the peeling and lack of upkeep. As expected, inside smells like cigarettes and grease from the mechanical parts, however it does seem a bit larger inside than it does outside. Not even six steps inside and I’m coming up to the front counter where lanes are paid for and shoes are rented. In the background are the lanes, only one in use by a family of four. Two young children are in their group and they’re bowling between their legs. It’s cute, yet a reminder of the few times I bowled with my own parents. For several seconds I allow myself to reminisce, and then the thoughts fade away, just like my hope that I’ll ever be happy again.

  Leaning against the counter, so that his shirt lifts and his hip bones are exposed, Garver reaches to attach a wire to the back of a monitor. While taking in the shape of his masculine silhouette, I find myself mesmerized at the fantasy of allowing him to have his way. It’s wrong, but I’m deprived and a girl can daydream.

  My eyelids blink several instances before pushing away the lusty haze of my dirty thoughts. Garver notices me, finally, and a sly smirk covers his face, as if he somehow knows I was eating him up in my mind. Warmth strikes my cheeks as we stare at each other for a moment, my feet somehow cemented to the floor where I stand. There are so many things that need to be addressed between us, yet his presence cripples my ability to approach.

  Garver stops what he’s doing and ambles in my direction. His smile is contagious, and soon I feel the touch of his hand on my arm, slowly guiding me toward the counter. “I thought you weren’t going to show. Some lady called and said she was going to come in tomorrow for an interview, so we need to get you one first. The boss is in the back room.” He pauses and scans me from head to toe. “That’s not what you had on earlier.”

  “I wanted to make a good impression.”

  He leans close to me, doing that thing where he knows his breath is going to tickle the inside of my ear. “You look hot, but you smell even better. Hopefully you’ll get the job so I can take you in the back room and show you what you’ve been missing.”

  Suddenly, like a flash of reality has struck me from an electric shock, I’m aware of the inconsistencies regarding Garver and our classmates. People are keeping truths from me, not just with him, but even the house. As much as I want out of this town, I also don’t feel like being in the dark the whole time I’m here. “Before you get too ahead of yourself, how about you point me in the direction of the boss, then afterwards, we’re going to have a little talk.” I bite down on my lip and want to pinch myself for doing it. It’s like being around him makes me trip on my words. My actions are halted by his charming whit. He gets under my skin and I love and hate it at the same time. What new girl wouldn’t want the hot guy hitting on her and giving her attention? I’m not being ridiculous. He wants me, and that’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in months.

  Garver is calm when he replies, “Okay. Let’s get this show on the road.”

  He leads me toward the far end of the right side of the building. Knocking on a large metal door, he cracks it open to address his interruption. “That girl I was telling you about is here for an interview. Can she come in?”

  I hear the sound of an office chair creaking as the man stands and proceeds to head in our direction. The door opens the rest of the way revealing a half bald man with a large belly. He’s wearing a yellow button-down shirt with a pair of khaki slacks. His moustache is a bit thick for his small framed face, almost as if it’s from another era of style. “Thanks, son, I’ll take it from here.”

  The word SON leads me to believe this is his father. It makes sense he would work for family and have the pull to snag me a job so easily. I’m not saying I’ve gotten it, but Garver leads me to believe I might. Wait! Didn’t he say his dad died?

  The guy’s name is Frank. His office is cluttered and there isn’t a single photograph on any wall. Instead, they are covered in shelves full of bowling trophies. His desk is piled high with paperwork and brochures as I take a seat across from him.

  Frank asks me basic questions. My experience. My age. Hours I can work. However, he doesn’t inquire about anything personal. Before I can offer any more information, he tells me the position has a high turn around, mostly because the bowlers can sometimes have too much to drink and offend the female employees. All I needed to say to snag the job was that I was used to being around drunks and that was it. I’d start on Friday after school. I didn’t care how hard I’d have to work, or who I’d have to deal with. It was a paying job.

  While I expect Garver to be on the other side of the door waiting for me, I find him returned to the counter, leaning back like all is cool with the world. He spots me and heads in my direction, only stopping when he catches up to me. “When do you start?”

  “I didn’t get the job,” I lie. “He said I wasn’t what he’s looking for. I guess your dad didn’t like me.”

  “My dad?” He pauses. “Whatever, he likes everyone.”

  “I’m kidding,” I say with a giggle. “Just wanted to see your face express disappointment since you seem to get everything you want.”

  “Not everything,” he adds. “You only live once and if you want something you have to go get it. It won’t just happen because you want it to.”

  “Wise words.” I’m hesitant to confront him about the conversation I had with our classmate Lauren.

  With my father waiting outside, I knew I couldn’t stay much longer, so it was important to get a quick tour and get out before Garver could sway me into sticking around. This was the perfect time to corner him for some answers without it being discernible. Getting him to open up would be better if I acted as if I hadn’t talked to Lauren. I was hoping he’d be willing to tell me what was up without a big push.

  Garver showed me around the food station and in the back where the refrigerators and supplies were kept. He provided me with a list of cleaning duties that I’d be responsible for each night, then briefly explained little details that may help me manage my area by myself. With only six lanes, I knew it wouldn’t be that busy anyway.

  It wasn’t until he showed me the back mechanical area that he cornered me for other reasons. The loud slams of balls hitting pins keeps others from hearing us speak. As his eyes narrowed in on me standing alone in the semi-dark room, I could feel the tension growing between us. Being drawn to him physically was such a distraction for me, but one I knew I could use to my advantage. Garver approached, breaking the already small distance between us. His palms rested on the wall behind my head, and with little effort he’d pushed me back against it with his own body. Garver lowers one hand and strokes it over my cheek. His eyes are fixed on mine, almost as if trying to read what I’m thinking. “Now you really owe me. Your debt keeps adding up.”

  Damn if I didn’t drag my teeth over my bottom lip as he said it. I suck at this. “I thought that’s what friends do. No strings.”

  He contemplates my words and clenches his jaw, the small space between us never changing. His thumb drags softly against my lips and I begin to shiver and heat up at the same time. I’ve never been this attracted to someone before. Normally shy, I’d be okay if he leaned in and kissed me, but he doesn’t. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect immediate payment.”

  Time to change the subject.

  “Have you always been so confident?”

  He shrugs. “Maybe.”

  “Does it usually work? I mean, you’re quite sure I’m going to let you into my pants.”

  He scratches his temple and shakes his head with a chuckle. “You’re the one who offered yesterday.”

  Finally it hits me that I’m not this easy. He needs to know it, before this goes from innocent flirting to seriously scary. “I was kidding. I’m not sure what the girls are like here, but I don’t just take off my pants and give it to anyone who asks.”

  Garver finally pushes off the wall. He steps backward but takes my hand and pulls me along as if our little moment is over. “Fine. Challenge accepted.”

  “Now I’m a challenge?” I inquire with a snicker. “Wow. You don’t let up.”

  “What else is there to do?”

  “Have you ever wanted to get to know someone first?”

  “Why should I want that? You said it yourself, you’re leaving this town as soon as possible.”

  I can’t believe I’m about to egg him on, but I’m getting somewhere, slowly but surely. “So you’d rather hit it and forget it?”

  We stop before exiting the back area. Out of the corner of my eye I spot a halfway cracked door. Inside, I can make out a small bed and nightstand. “Do you live here?”

  “Does it matter where I live? I thought we covered getting to know me was a waste of your time.”

  “You’re not earning points with me by being cryptic.”

  “Fine.” He seems more annoyed than a normal person would be. I wasn’t even prying yet. “Ask away.”

  “What’s your beef with Cassidy?”

  “Pass!” He doesn’t explain, but dismisses the question as fast as humanly possible.

  “What the hell? That bad?”

  “Cassidy is a lying bitch and I don’t like her.”

  “Elaborate, please?”

  He’s fighting his mind for a logical answer to appease me. It’s written all over his face. “Look, Soph, I’m interested in you, but I’m not dragging that shit up again.”

  “I was warned to stay away from you. Word is you got people in trouble.”

  “They deserved what they got. Cassidy is a nasty ho. Believe what you want. Look, I’m trying to be a nice guy. Maybe I like you because you don’t judge me. That’s the benefit of not being from around here. You’re not the only one who wants out.”

  Garver opens the door that leads to the front of the bowling alley. He talks with his back turned to me. “Maybe they’re the ones you shouldn’t trust. Ever think of that? Maybe they’re just jealous you’re getting all the attention for once.”

  It’s obvious he’s bitter. The instant chemistry between us has vanished. I feel uncomfortable. “I’m sorry for asking.”

  He sighs and looks directly at me. “I hate them, Soph.”

  “You keep calling me that. My dad calls me Soph.”

  “Is it a problem?”

  Shrugging, I offer a smile. “My friends call me Soph.”

  “All fun aside, I’d like to be your friend. It’s your call, but I am the one who has been nothing but nice to you, unlike everyone else.”

  My lips press together. I’m torn between a friendship I’m desperate for, and what my gut keeps telling me to avoid. “Okay.”

  “The thing with Cassidy is complicated. We dated on and off in middle school and then last year again. When I was with her people were cool with me. They didn’t dare start shit, because she’d defend me. Cassidy was obsessed with me. She’d talk about our wedding and shit. When I’d finally had enough, and the sex got boring, I broke up with her. She went freaking psycho. First, she told everyone I stole from her family. Then she accused me of beating her. The last straw was when she came to me and told me she’d been pregnant and had to get an abortion because I said I’d never love her.”

  “She was pregnant?” Honestly, the idea of them sleeping together makes me sick.

  “Nope. I found out later it was a lie, and that’s why I went ballistic. The reason they can’t drive to school anymore is because of me, it’s true. All of her friends turned on me, and it was the only way I could pay them back for abandoning me.”

  “What did you do?”