Panic Read Free Page A

his face. “How is Spencer desirable? I have never understood what girls see in him.”
    I laugh. “Well, he’s like a big fun-loving goof-ball, but powerful and dangerous at the same time. He’s the bad boy girls fall in lust with and don’t mind taking orders from.”
    “And Ronin?”
    “Ronin’s just hot.” I grin over at him. “He’s the player all the girls want to settle down with. But he’s nice too. If Spence is the bad boy, then Ronin is the good guy. The knight in shining armor, like you said.”
    “And me?”
    I don’t look at him this time, but I can feel his stare like it’s heat. Waiting. “You’re… predictable.”
    He belts out a laugh. “Well, I appreciate the ego stroke, Rook. Thank you.” He gets up and starts to walk down the stairs.
    “I wasn’t finished.”
    He stops but keeps his back to me.
    “Not predictable as in boring or repetitive, but predictable as in safe. Even though I’m always adjusting when I’m with you, reevaluating things about myself and… you. You’re like an open book, Ford. What you see is what you get. So I’m not sure why your father thought that about you, I’m not really qualified to think too hard about it and make a better observation. But I’ll just say this. The reason I like you is because you’re honest. I know what I’m getting with you even though you keep me guessing. Because I always know that when you give me something, it will be good and you’re only thinking of what’s best for me. Ronin and Spencer are not better-looking than you, that’s for sure. You guys are just desirable in different ways.”
    He turns around and smiles. “Good to know. Ready?”
    I shrug because I can see through his act now—he avoids talking about himself in personal ways most of the time. He’ll tell me all about his college days, his jobs, professional things like that. But he hides from the emotional stuff, the things that cause him to feel too much. Not everything, mind you—he opens up every once in a while—but that open book has closed for today and I know this is his signal that talking is over.
    I’m OK with that because I, too, am patient.
     
     
     

Chapter Two - ROOK
     
    There are a ton of girls milling around the building because Ronin is having an open casting call for the GIDGET models. I’m actually relieved I’m not GIDGET. Not that there’s just one, he needs like a dozen of them, I think. But I’m so over modeling, it’s not even funny. I can think of hundreds of jobs I’d rather do right off the top of my head. Like rodeo clown. I’d rather be a target for a raging bull than be a model.
    The girls are here early to line up and they wind around the corner and spill over into the back lot. They are all dressed up, full make-up, heels, and they look cold. I’m still warm from my morning exercise, but I can feel the chill in the air. And just looking at their shoes makes my toes sad. I’m so glad I’m the new parts girl for Shrike Bikes. I get to wear jeans, and hoodies, and sneakers.
    I totally got the better end of the deal.
    Ford and I walk towards the parking lot as per usual and he gets annoyed at a girl who is standing too close to his vehicle. He always parks in the same spot in the back of the lot, just off to the left of the back door. He just got a new car—well, I’d never really call it new, but last week was the first time I’ve seen it. He used to drive a sporty little black Beamer but then he showed up with this… thing. “I liked the old car, Ford.”
    He’s just about to open the door when this comes out and he stops to look back at me. “Really? Why?”
    I crack a smile and so does he. “It suits you. This circa 1986 Bronco is just all kinds of wrong.”
    “I needed a truck for winter. I still have the BMW, I just parked it in my mom’s garage.”
    “You have a mom?” I laugh as the words come out.
    “You thought I was a demon spawned from hell?”
    I nod and laugh again. “I might buy a