Page 10 of One Good Crash
"I mean," he said, "you didn't care that I was almost run over."
"I did too care," my mom said. "If I didn't care, I wouldn't've screamed."
The brother said, "Dude, man up. I saw you a block away."
"Up yours," the driver muttered. And with that, he turned to go. Over his shoulder, he said to my mom, "I'm outta here. Get in. Or not. I'm done."
My mom's gaze darted between the limo driver and the brother. She took a tentative step toward the limo, but then hesitated as if feeling suddenly light-headed. Her hand flew to her mouth, and she breathed, "Oh, no."
I squeezed my eyes shut.Don't say it. Pleeeeease don't say it.
She said, "I think I'm a little tipsy." She gave a light giggle. "Too much champagne, I think."
Damn it.I opened my eyes just in time to see the limo driver pause in his tracks. He turned to face her and said with a loud sigh, "Fine. I'll help you to the car."
My mom waved him off, saying, "Notyou." She turned back to the brother and purred, "You."
He gave a low scoff. "Nice try, nut-job."
She froze. "What?"
I blurted out, "You know what?" I turned to my mom. "You really should get going."
The brother's gaze shifted from my mom to me and back again. "What are you supposed to be? Twins?"
Once again, heat flooded my face. In all the commotion, I'd practically forgotten that my mom and I were dressed in identical outfits, right down to the same style of shoes.
And yes, wedidlook alike, even aside from the clothes. It was freaky in a way. Every time I looked in the mirror, I saw my mom's face staring back at me. Maybe I should've felt lucky. My mom was undeniable beautiful. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was a blessing or a curse.
I mean, what had her looks ever gotten her except heartbreak and disappointment?
The brother's question hung in the air.Werewe supposed to be twins?
My mom beamed up at the guy. "Do you want us to be?"
Mortified, I took a slow step backward and tried to fade into the darkness. Of course, this would've been a ton easier if I weren't wearing a burgundy party dress and silver shoes.
The brother looked at my mom for another long moment before turning to the first guy and saying, "So, what the hell happened to my car?"
I spoke up. "Don't blame him. It was my fault, not his."
The brother gave me a dubious look. "What, you were driving it?"
"No." I hesitated. "I was—"
"It's done," the first guy said, turning to his brother. "So forget it. You ready?"
The brother scowled. "But what about my car?"
"I called Maurice. He's on his way."
The sound of the limo's horn made us all turn to look. The driver leaned his head out of the window and called out to my mom. "Are you coming or not?"
Her gaze shifted to the brothers, and she pursed her lips. I could practically see the wheels turning. If she left now, she might never have another shot with either one of them. But the clockwasticking, and neither guy had given her any encouragement whatsoever.
Hoping to nudge her in the right direction, I said, "He sounds like he means it. And isn't Dominic waiting?"
"I guess," she muttered. "And then, with a sigh, she finally turned and began walking toward the limo. As she moved, she called out to the driver, "Youaregoing to get the door, aren't you?"
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10 (reading here)
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185