Page 41 of Kiss Collector

“Flat tire.” I walk up to the counter, still shaking a little. “I don’t have any money, though. Can my mom come by on her way home from work?” I don’t tell him that she doesn’t have any money either. Parents always seem to find some way tomake it work, but the guilt I feel is massive.

“Yeah. Carrie Monroe, right?”

“You know my mom?”

He shrugs. “She’s been coming for years. And Xander.” Wow, he knows my parents? He comes out from behind the counter. “Let’s take a look.”

I follow him out the door, watching as he hikes up his baggy blue work pants and continues to swagger, in no hurry.

He squats by the nearly flat tire and runs a hand over it, looking closely. When he gets down near the back, he goes, “Ah. There it is.” He glances up at me. “A screw. Let me get it out and see if I can plug it. You can have a seat while I get the stuff.”

I nod and sit on the sidewalk, which makes him chuckle.

“I meant a seat inside, but if you wanna hang with me, that’s cool.”

I feel my face flush warm as I nod. I am an idiot today. I sit there, feeling stupid, while he goes and comes back with a bunch of stuff. Then I watch him work, and I can’t help but be impressed at how his biceps and triceps bulge while he handles the tire—pumping the jack to lift the car, yanking out the screw and getting the plug in, then filling the tire with air. It looks solid. His hands are dirty now, and there’s sweat along his blond hairline. It’s kind of hot.

I’d kiss him.

I’m so into my moment of lustful staring that I jump when he pats the tire and says, “That should hold it.”

I stand and brush my butt off. “So, we don’t need a new tire?”

“Nope.”

Thank God! “How much will it cost?”

He shrugs again, pulling out a rag from his back pocket and wiping his hands absentmindedly. “Don’t worry about it. Friend discount.”

Gratitude rushes through me, making my stupid eyes water again. Judging by the concerned look that crosses his face, he notices. “You okay?”

I want to hug him, but I hold back since he’s at work.

“Yeah.” I clear my throat and swallow. “It’s just been a long week. Thank you so much. Really.”

“Just don’t tell my dad.”

“Your dad?”

He hitches a thumb to the sign. “The owner. He’s a cheap ass.”

“Oh.” Ruddick’s Auto. Joel Ruddick. I smile. “It’ll be our secret.”

“Take care, then.” He shoots me a quick, cute grin and turns his hat forward as he goes into the shop, leaving me exhausted and thankful as I call my mom to tell her all is well.

Chapter Sixteen

When I get home, Zebby is sitting on the couch like a lump. He’ll stay in that exact spot all spring break if I let him.

“Wanna walk with me to Seven-Eleven?” I ask.

“Eh...”

“I’ll buy you a Slurpee.” My piggy bank still has a few dollars in change.

This gets him to sit up. “Okay.”

I make us both pepperoni, cheese, and spinach wraps to eat while we’re walking. My brother is a bottomless pit. He gets a giant Slurpee of mixed flavors and finishes it as we get back to the apartment. Mom’s not home yet, but she will be soon. We both stop and stare up at our building. Dread fills me at the thought of leaving the sunshine to go back into that dreary place.