Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 117820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
“Thank you, Mee-maw.”
26 years old
“Don’t you dare! Don’t you fucking dare!” I shout at my car when it starts to make a peculiar choking noise. “You’re new and you just had a service! You don’t get to break on me now! Not here, not now!”
The car splutters and coughs and a shit load of smoke billows from the engine. I pull over immediately and switch off the ignition. Armed with my trusty little fire extinguisher, I move to the glossy black front and lift the hood. Settling it on its metal arm, I waft away the smoke and look at the beast of a machine. I’m not bad with engines, I’ve tinkered with a few in my time, but I have no idea what is wrong.
I pull out my phone and call my emergency breakdown cover. They arrange for a tow to come and take me to the nearest garage. I almost laugh at the hilarity of it. The closest garage is owned by Kane’s father.
I have cash, I’ll bribe the tow guy to take me to the next town over. Anywhere is better than here.
Imogen: This stupid motherfucking car has broken down!
I attach a picture of the lingering smoke and exposed engine and send it to Webber. It takes him no time to reply.
Webber: Shit, that’s not good. It’s a new car.
Imogen: I KNOW! *sobs*
Webber: You don’t think he had anything to do with it do you?
I think back to my meeting with him, meaning Kane, outside of the church.
Imogen: I wouldn’t put it past him.
Webber: If he did, don’t worry, you got this. You’re strong and so fucking brave. You can handle anything.
Imogen: I completely fucking agree.
I sit in my car and wait, praying that the tow truck isn’t from Faceless, the town where I grew up and just cussed out my dead grandmother in front of those absolute assholes I called my community, my neighbors, my friends.
When the tow truck ambles down the road, I’m relieved to see it’s an old school friend behind the wheel, somebody I knocked about with back in the day. He also smiles when he sees me, and then laughs when he sees my car.
“Traded in your bike for a fancy ass car that only men with little dicks drive?”
“That’s a lot of words in one sentence for you, Ren,” I retort and give him a brief hug. “How have you been?”
“Good, annoyed that you rolled into town without dropping in on the rest of us folk.”
Now I almost feel guilty, almost but not quite.
He pushes his black hair back with a meaty arm guiding his hand. “You look great though, Immy. Really good in fact.” With a lingering look on my body, he points to the truck. “Get in while I hook your shit car up.”
“Eyes on mine dickwad, and I’m not letting you hook anything up until you promise to take me to the garage in Leander.”
He lifts a shoulder and smiles apologetically. “No can do, only got enough in the tank to get us back to Faceless Mechanics.”
“Then go back to FM, fill up the tank and come back and get me. I’ll wait.”
“Don’t be like that,” he pushes, pouting slightly. “Lotta folks around here that will wanna see you. Make their curious hearts feel inferior for a while, show off your fancy pants and your shiny shoes. Let them see how well you’re doing.”
“Designer gear doesn’t mean I’m doing well, Ren.”
“Ain’t you doing well?”
I smile genuinely. “I’m doing just fine… out of Faceless, where I want to fucking stay.”
“Potty mouth. Your mee-maw woulda made you chew soap.”
“I said worse at her funeral.”
His brows jump and his smile stretches. “Now there’s a story I like the sound of. Come on. I’ll take you the long way round.”
“Thought you didn’t have enough gas?”
“I got just enough to park under the water tower and show you what you missed all those years ago.”
I pull a small can of mace spray out of my bag and point it at him. “I can kick your ass with this, or my fists, you just pick which flavor pain you want.”
“Still as feisty as you ever were, don’t worry, I ain’t touchin’ you. Not sure about your flavors of pain, but I don’t much fancy having my ass kicked by Kane Jessop. Only just got on his good side after rear ending his classic Challenger.”
I wince at that. “Surprised you’re still alive.”
“Naww, he’s not like he used to be.”
“Don’t, Ren,” I snap, shaking my head. “Don’t.”
“Sure.” His eyes soften with understanding.
13 years old
“Your boobs are so much bigger than mine,” Poppy-Rose declares, pushing hers together by pulling her shoulders in. “It’s so unfair. I started developing way before you.”
“I’m hardly in a bra, Poppy, there’s nothing there but pointy nipples. Don’t get too envious.” I shake my T-shirt clad chest at her where absolutely nothing moves an inch. I’m like a boy.