LITMIR.BIZ

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      It didn’t help that I’d been telling myself the same thing. “Maybe he should stay out of mine,” I shoot back. “Yesterday you said he was harmless.”

      “I lied. Sue me. I was trying to make you feel better.”

      Holly clears her throat. “All right, children, play nice.

      “Tyler, you need to get to class. I’ll take care of Piper.”

      He snorts. “Oh yeah, the five-foot blonde, taking care of the five-foot-eight blonde. Don’t worry, Mr. Smith likes me.” He refers to his history teacher.

      “Why are you doing this?” Heat rushes up my chest and pools in my face and neck. I’ve let my voice slip again.

      Her expression curious, Holly glances from one to the other of us before she slides through the door to study hall. At least, my voice doesn’t seem to have an effect on her.

      “Damned if I know, but I think it’s got a lot to do with the voice. I can’t help wondering if beneath the camo, the package matches those golden tones.” He studies me as if trying to pierce my disguise.

      “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I respond in hoarse tones before I turn my back on him and hurry into the room. I glance back. He’s watching me with an intent expression. When he catches my glance, he winks and saunters off.

      Holly motions me toward an empty seat beside her. I sigh and slide in. Life is getting complicated. Other than sea turtles and dolphins, I’ve never had a friend before. I’m not sure how to act.

      I glance at the hall monitor. He’s talking to a student at his desk. I lean over and whisper to Holly. “Is your brother always like this?”

      “I told you, once he helps someone he feels responsible. Although, he does seem to have taken it to a whole new level with you. If you were more his type I’d say he was interested.” She gives me a speculative look. “But you most definitely are not.”

      I wince.

      “Are you?”

      She takes me off guard.

      “Say what?”

      “Underneath those frumpy clothes and ghastly glasses are you Tyler’s type?”

      “How in hell would I know?” I snap.

      “Would you like to go shopping?” She leans forward eagerly. “We could have a girls’ night. I could fix your hair and show you how to use make up. It would be fun.”

      Her whole face lights up. I hate to rain on her parade, but this idea has to be nipped in the bud.

      “No way. Take me as I am or don’t.” That’s as clear as I can make it.

      “Fine.” She thrusts out her lip.

      Oh great.

      “Ladies, quiet.” The hall monitor has finished his conversation and is determined to end ours. Works for me.

      Holly ignores me and pulls out her notebook. She begins to write industriously. I glance at her paper that’s angled in my direction. This isn’t the end of it.

      I sigh. I knew this friendship thing was a mistake. I’m not sure which twin is more stubborn. The genes fall pretty evenly between them.

      Flipping open my lit book, I ignore Holly and get down to work. I actually have most of my homework done when the bell rings.

      The rest of my classes pass faster than I expect. When the bell rings for the last class, I race for my truck. I breathe a sigh of relief when I make it out of the building with no sign of Fahrenbacher.

      When I get to my truck, I see why. My tire is slashed.

      Chapter 5

      “Dammit.” Heat courses through me. I could swear my blood is boiling.

      “At least he didn’t slice all four.” Tyler stands behind me, hands on hips, studying my flat tire.

      I whip around. “And I should be grateful?” Fuming, I yank open the door of the truck, lean in, and pull the jack out from under the seat.

      Tyler moves me out of the way, engages the emergency brake, then takes the jack out of my hands.

      “What are you doing?” My jaws are locked so tight I have to push the words out.

      “I’m going to change your tire.” He squats down, pries off the wheel cover, and unscrews the lug nuts.

      “I know how to change a tire.”

      “No doubt.” A nut bounces out of the wheel cover and lands on the ground. I pick it up and toss it back. It clinks, spins, and then settles. I start to get the tire from underneath the truck bed but again am interrupted. Tyler nudges me aside with his hip.

      Part of me appreciates the blatant male attitude. I quickly squelch it. “While I appreciate your help, it’s completely unnecessary. I can do that.” I reach for the tire.

      “My father would turn over in his grave if I let a girl change a tire when I’m around.” He holds it easily away from me and squats down to slide it onto the axle.

      I roll my eyes. “Your father’s alive.”

      “Yeah, so it’s important we keep him that way.”

      I bend down so we’re on the same level. “Why are you doing this?”

      “I just told you.”

      “That’s not what I mean and you know it.”

      “Afraid I don’t.” He turns his attention back to the tire. A motor coughs behind us. White smoke spits from a clunker leaving the lot, followed by a new but dirty compact, a winking girl decal on the bumper sticker.

      “Why are you having anything to do with me?” I can’t figure it out. “There’s not a girl in school who isn’t falling all over you.” As if to emphasize my point, two sophomores walk by giggling and poking each other, as they stare at Tyler’s hindquarters encased in tight soft denim.

      “Except for you.” He spins on a lug nut. The traffic leaving the parking lot picks up.

      “Is that what it’s about? The one you can’t have?”

      “Can’t I?”

      His voice lowers to a velvet swirl of sound.

      “Look at me.” I flip my hands from my shoulders to my thighs. “I’ve seen the girls that chase after you. You don’t have to settle.”

      He sighs. “Haven’t we had this conversation before? Besides, you’re making too much out of me changing a tire.” He turns back to the lug nuts.

      Heat floods my face. “Sorry.” I stand and slap dust off my pants.

      “I’m still planning on taking the boat out Saturday. Have you thought about going with me?” He twirls the last nut on and pushes to his feet.

      “No.” I fight back regret. “And you shouldn’t go either. A storm’s coming in.”

      “The weatherman disagrees. It’s supposed to be sunny with a light breeze.” He puts the jack away and dusts his hands.

      I open my mouth to argue when a shadow falls across my feet. Fahrenbacher stands leering at me. “Keep that heap away from my car. You even smudge it you’ll be sorry.”

      All the bewildered feelings that Tyler’s presence brings to the surface coalesce into one hot ball of anger. “You jerk.” I ball my fists and lunge.

      Tyler grabs my shoulders, pulls me back, and steps in front of me. “You wouldn’t know anything about this would you, Edgar?”

      “This has nothing to do with you, Carlisle.”

      “Piper’s

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