Page 17 of Pretend You Love Me

“Goddamn it,” he yells.

He glances over at me like he’s just remembered I’m here. I avert my eyes, like that’s going to do something.

Of course, I witnessed all of that. I don’t know why I’m pretending I didn’t.

He looks up to the sky. I'm pretty sure he’s counting. After about ten seconds, he wipes his hands on his pants, picks up the chair, and walks inside.

“Everything okay?”

“Fucking fine. Thanks for asking.” His tone is harsh. His voice sharp.

He’s standing on the other side of the island, breathing heavily. I feel like I should slowly creep off the stool and back out of the kitchen and then maybe run back into town.

He places both hands on the counter and drops his head. It feels wrong that I’m watching him. It also feels too hot and too cold in this room all at once, and I don’t know how that’s possible. Just as I’m about to open my mouth to say something, we both hear a car coming down the driveway.

I see it come into view first and gasp. It’s a police cruiser.

Kip’s head jerks up. As soon as he sees the car, he shakes his head and mutters, “For fuck’s sake.”

Chapter Four

Kip

Why the hell is Hawk driving toward the house? He hasn’t been out here in months, and today of all days, he decides to pop by.

I walk out to the front porch to meet him.

“What do you want, Hawk?” I say.

“Good to see you too,” he says, walking closer. He’s not in uniform.Good.

I walk down the stairs, Ginger’s right on my heels. She’s standing behind me like I’m a human shield - which I guess in this situation I am.

“Heard you had an eventful morning.” He’s trying to peer around me, but I’m happily blocking his view.

“How so?” I’m being a dick; of course I know what he’s talking about.

“A car crash. Running into Paul’s without a shirt. A visit to Melvin.”

“Oh, that,” I say.

He doesn’t stop. “People overheard that your friend tried to rent that phantom scam vacation rental.”

“Did they?” I say. I feel Ginger take a step closer to me. Her breathing has sped up.

“I don’t know anything about the vacation rental,” I respond.

His eyebrow arches.

“Really?”

He steps to the right, and I shift my weight, blocking his view.

“What’s going on, Kip?” he says, his voice low and angry.

I sigh. I’m going to regret this. I’m really, really going to regret this.

I step to the side and grab Ginger. As soon as Hawk lays eyes on her, his eyes linger on her face and then fall to her body - drinking in every inch of her.