Page 20 of Drive Me Wild (Owl Creek #2)
C aleb’s business plan is well-written and provides the outline I need to start on my own. He left the teenager alone downstairs to manage any incoming clients until lunch, and we finished the draft with help from all the numbers Mabel provided.
“I think this is a good start. Now, I need to create something to send to my competitors to find a buyer for my business. I’m going to need every penny I can get my hands on to make a downpayment on the loan.”
“Don’t you want to use it as collateral?”
“My business?”
“Yeah. Create something like Mabel did with your sales numbers and growth expectations. It might be worth more to them than the cash.”
“That’s really smart, Caleb.”
“Don’t look so surprised.” He leans over, kisses the side of my head, and then walks into the kitchen to refill my water glass.
“I’m not surprised. Not in the way that you might think.”
Caleb turns and leans against the counter.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not surprised at your intelligence.
I’m surprised that you don’t own it more.
From everything I have gathered about you and your twin, he’s the one who gets all the praise for his intelligence.
Maybe he’s book smart, but you are real-life-smart.
And that is the kind of intelligence that translates to getting things done in the world. ”
“I think you are my favorite person, Zoe.” Caleb brings my water over and then pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“You’re kind of hard to miss, Caleb.”
I open the glass doors to the sandwich shop and spot Avery drinking a milkshake at a table. She waves me over, and I plunk down in the seat across from her.
“That looks good, what flavor?”
“Berry Blast. My favorite.”
“Mine’s butterscotch. But don’t they have milkshakes at The Daily Dose?”
“Don’t tell my parents this, but I get tired of the menu there.”
“Why would they care?”
“They own the restaurant.”
“Huh. I had no idea. I guess I’ve been too busy with work to learn more about this place.”
“Is that what you’re doing at Caleb’s?”
My body feels like I just touched a live wire. I want to play dumb, but she obviously knows.
“Yes. But how did you know?”
“I work across the street, Zoe. Not much gets past me.”
“Has anyone else noticed?”
“Doubt it. I would have heard.”
“Have you said anything to anyone?”
“No. Why would I?”
“I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I know how much people like to talk.”
“Yeah, well.” She runs her finger through the condensation on her milkshake glass as a crease appears between her eyebrows. “I’m not in a position to be spreading rumors.”
“What do you mean?”
“Zoe, you seem to be the kind of person who doesn’t jump to judgments or believe town gossip. I noticed it when we first met.”
“I like to believe that’s true about me.”
“Even so, will you promise not to tell anyone?”
“If you keep my secret, I’ll keep yours.”
“Deal. But why is it a secret you’re working at Caleb’s?”
“You aren’t the only person who has warned me against him. Cole and Renée are hell-bent on keeping us apart. They think that Caleb is a bad influence on me. Or rather, that he’ll treat me like any other woman he’s crossed paths with.”
Avery leans forward. “No offense, but their concerns aren’t invalidated. So, has he?”
“No. He’s been a perfect gentleman.” My face flushes at the thought of what we did this morning.
“Then, why are you blushing?”
“He’s been a perfect gentleman, but he’s also—” I look around the restaurant to ensure no one is listening.
The only other people here are the two teenagers behind the counter, who look too young to work during school hours.
Despite looking like they aren’t paying attention, I lower my voice. “He’s my sex-pert!”
Avery’s eyes grow as big as plates. “And?”
“And it’s been amazing. But—” I look around again, paranoid that someone will hear what I’m about to tell her. “This morning, we became more than teacher and student.”
“More?” Her eyes are still wide, and she’s sucking down her shake like it’s food, and she is starving.
“We’re in a relationship.”
“Caleb Barone. And you. In a relationship. Holy cheese and crackers, I never thought this day would come.”
“What do you mean?”
“I never thought he would settle down. Even though he’s a few years older than us, I’ve known him my whole life. Or known of him. He’s kind of legendary. The women, the race cars—”
“Race cars?”
“Yeah. He’s been racing cars in Port Stratton for almost a decade. And winning, too. Anyway, congratulations. You’ve done what no other woman has achieved.”
“So he’s never been in a relationship before?”
“Not that I’m aware of. And considering how much this town talks, I think I would have heard.”
“I wonder what changed?”
“Maybe you’re just special, Zoe.”
I look at Avery as her eyes dance across my face.
“Thanks. That means a lot. Now, tell me your secret.”
She sucks in a breath and fiddles with her empty glass. “Do you remember when we were at the bar, and you were asking us about learning about sex?”
I nod in agreement.
“Well, if you recall, I didn’t have anything to say.” She pauses, and I nod again to let her know to continue.
“I didn’t have anything to say because I’m a virgin.”
“Oh. That’s nothing to be ashamed of—”
“That’s not all.”
“Sorry, I interrupted. Please continue.”
“I’m not ready.”
“What…like, what do you mean?”
“I’m attracted to people but don’t want it to go anywhere. Is that weird? I feel like a total freak.”
“No, it’s not weird. You’re probably looking for the right person. Someone who sparks something in you. So you want more.”
I think about Caleb and me. We are both reaching for more and together, we’re finding it.
“You’re probably right. It just feels… not normal.”
“I don’t know if there is any such thing as normal. Everybody is different, Avery. The world tries to convince you there is some sort of global measuring stick, and we all have to match up to it.”
“Huh.”
“What?”
“That’s wise.”
“I follow a lot of self-help influencers online.”
I reach across the table and grab one of her hands, noticing that they are shaking a little. “Thank you for trusting me with your secret. I’m honored.”
“Thanks for listening. I haven’t told anyone other than my online friends. And to them, I’m ‘WickedSticks.’ Just another person hiding behind an avatar on the internet.”
“Well, you have me. And when you’re ready to tell her, I know you’d have Renée as a confidante. Even though we grew up in a smaller town than Owl Creek, we’re of the same mind, which is to say we are accepting of other people and their experiences.”
“Telling someone feels good. Thanks.” She got up and hugged me. “And I promise I won’t say anything about you and Caleb. Hey! Does this mean you’re staying long-term in Owl Creek?”
“That is starting to look like the plan. I mean, not because of him, but if it works out, that would be cool.”
Good save.