“What?”
“Indiana Bones,” I repeat, pressing on the dent. It flexes and bounces, and I’m hopeful enough to think this just might work. “Go get him.”
“Garrett. You cannot be serious right now.”
“Oh, but I am.”
“Garrett!”
“Jennie. Go. Get. Him.”
With a face-scrunching glare and her fists balled at her sides, she stomps off toward the elevator.
She returns a few minutes later, hugging her backpack to her chest, eyes bouncing wildly around the garage. “Got him,” she whispers. “Are we…um…” She thumbs at my car. “In there?”
My grin spreads slowly, and when it’s at megawatt levels, I fail at containing my laughter. Jennie frowns, and I tear her backpack away, dipping my hand inside, finding the girthy fucker.
Man, this thing is fucking massive. Thick. Veiny. Firm, but with just the right amount of flop. This thing could do some damage. I give it a jiggle right here in the parking garage, and Jennie gasps, darting forward, smashing it between us when she wraps her arms around me and slams her chest against mine.
She growls at my snickering. “Stop laughing.”
“I just realized how lucky I am to still have both eyes.”
“Oh my God. I hate you.” Indiana Bones starts buzzing, vibrating between us, and Jennie’s lids flutter closed as she breathes deeply through her nose.
“Were you about to let me fuck you with this in the backseat of my car?”
“What?” She shoves away from me, nabs her monster dildo, turns off the power, and slaps him against my shoulder. “Of course not.”
“Uh-huh.”
She winds her braid around her fist. “So what are you…” Her mouth pops open when I sink to the ground, and when I slap the suction cup base to the dented steel, she gasps. “Garrett!”
I chuckle at the way the rubber cock hangs there, bobbing, and I flick the head. The suction on this thing is mighty as fuck, which makes sense given the size and weight of it. I wrap my fingers around it and place my foot against the bumper, gaze locking with Jennie. With a smile, I give Indiana Bones a swift tug.
I topple backward, and the dick comes with me, smacking me in the chin. Jennie’s squeals echo off the walls, and a moment later she’s on top of me.
“You did it,” she wails, peppering my face in kisses. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you, Garrett!” She rolls off me, fingers fluttering over the bumper before she flings herself at the car, hugging the hood.
I’m kinda stuck on those three words she just said, paired with my name, but instead of circling back around to them, I stand and tuck her dildo in her backpack. “There are some chips in the paint, but I have a guy who can fix that for you. I’ll call him tomorrow.”
Jennie sits in silence, staring at her brother’s car. Finally, her eyes lift to mine, and the sight of them makes my heart heavy. They’re foggy blue swimming pools, brimming with tears, and when she blinks, they slide down her rosy cheeks. “Thank you for helping me, Garrett.”
Taking her hands in mine, I pull her to her feet, then into my arms. She buries her face in my chest and my fingers sink into her hair, tangling in her braid.
“What happened, Jennie?”
“I told you. The car—”
“Not the car.” I inch back, hooking a finger beneath her chin. “What happened at school today? What made you so upset?”
Her eyes cloud over, riddled with confusion, anger, heartbreak. All I want her to do is tell me how I can fix it.
“Do you think I’m good enough to teach at The National Ballet? Or do you think I got offered the job because of Carter? Because my brother’s famous? Do you think…am I boring? Am I too vanilla? I—”
“Hey.” I cup her face, keeping her gaze steady on mine. “Stop spiraling. Carter has nothing to do with your job offer. I know fuck all about dance, but I know you rocked that stage on Christmas Eve. My dad gave you a standing ovation in our living room, and now all three of my sisters want to be dancers. And fucking vanilla, Jennie? Jesus Christ, you’re red fucking velvet.”
Her bottom lip wobbles, and her next whisper breaks my heart. “Then how come nobody wants to be my friend? Nobody is interested in getting to know me. I’ve never even been on a proper date. I can’t remember the last time I went to the movies with anyone other than my mom.”
I haven’t even processed my idea before my fingers are moving, and when I put my phone to my ear, Jennie’s brows pull together.
“Well, well, well,” Carter hums when he answers my call. “Look who came crawling back for relationship advice.”
“The last thing I need is your version of relationship advice, Carter.” Jennie’s eyes widen, and I keep her at bay with my palm on her chest when she tries to rip my phone away. “Hey, listen. I ran into your sister in the parking garage. She’s had a bit of a shit day, and I think she could use a distraction. Mind if I take her out?”
I’m met with silence, and a moment later, the call disconnects. I think I just fucked myself, but then Jennie’s pulling her ringing phone out of her pocket as her face drains of color.
“Hi, Carter.” She presses her hand to her forehead and twists away, voice low. “I’m fine. Just the usual mean girl bullshit.” She kicks at the curb. “No, I don’t need you to come get me…Carter, I don’t need you to babysit me every time something—no, I know.” She sighs. “I love you too.”
She tucks her phone away, and seconds later mine buzzes.
Carter: thx 4 looking out 4 her.
“What the hell was that?” Jennie asks, arms wide.
“C’mon, sunshine. I’m taking you on a date.”
CHAPTER 24
WE MIGHT NEED SUPERGLUE FOR THIS ONE
GARRETT
I never expected nailing a date with Jennie Beckett with her brother’s permission would be so easy.
Okay, that might be a stretch. I don’t think Carter really understood what he was agreeing to. Still, I’m out in public with Jennie, alone, and I’m allowed to be.
I’m alive, and Carter has no plans to kill me.
I wish I’d had more time to plan, to really rock our first date and convince her we should do it again. Judging by the glow of wonder on Jennie’s face while she takes in the atmosphere at Udupi Palace, my favorite Indian restaurant, I’d guess she’s enjoying herself regardless.
I can’t take my eyes off her, watching her shoulders drop with each passing moment, her small smile turning to happy, nose-scrunching giggles, her eyes rolling as she hums with each bite of food. She’s a kid in a candy shop, and by the time I’m tugging her out the door, it’s like her entire day never happened.
“Bye, Rudra!” she calls to our server, waving. She places one hand on her belly. “It was so good!”
“See you soon, Miss Jennie!”
“You hear that? See you soon?” She pokes me as we head to my car. “You have to take me back. Rudra said so.”
I open the door for her. “Is that what he said?”
“Uh-huh.” She grins, pressing up on her toes, and I bend my neck. “Oops,” she whispers, pausing halfway. “Forgot. No kissing in public.” She tucks herself into the front seat, and her glittering eyes tells me she’s finding immense pleasure in how difficult this is for me. “C’mon, Gare-Bear. Places to be.”