Page 8 of Running from Drac

“That girl has it bad for you too, Eddie. Be careful with that one. I know you’re friends and all, but I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She doesn’t have your best interest at heart.”

“At least she’s honest with me, which is more than I can say for Amber. She sprung this wholegirl’s tripon me without warning, and when I told her she couldn’t go, she left the next fucking day.”

Rich made a tsking sound with his mouth. “You’re in way too deep with that girl, Eddie. You need to let some stuff go and trust her. Amber’s a good girl; she would never do anything to hurt you or your relationship.”

“I wish I could believe that, Rich, but I woke up with a pit in my stomach this morning. The last time I felt something like that was when I cheated on Amber with Jinafer and couldn’t look her in the eye. Something fucking happened. I feel it in my bones. I’m going to be there when she gets home, even if I have to break into her house myself.”

Rich kicks some shop dust toward the open doorway. “Their spare key is hidden in a rock in one of their plants outside.”

“How the fuck do you know that?” I growl, my jealousy appearing like magic.

“Because I’m friends with Poppy too. And unlike fuckhead over here, she actually enjoys my company.”

“Yeah, yeah. At least I’m not permanently friend zoned like you are, Richie.”

Rich and I both laugh. “No, what you’re in is way worse, Wesley. You’re in the no-go zone. As in there’s no fucking way you’ll ever go anywhere near her zone.”

Wesley points the wrench at my face, glaring like he actually thinks he can take me on. “I have a wrench in my hand and I’m not afraid to use it, Eddie.”

Before I can respond, Dad moves between us, forcing us back to reality. “Alright, that’s enough out of all of you. You two, get back to work, these cars aren’t going to repair themselves.”

“What about Eddie?” Wesley whines.

Dad turns toward me. “I need you to run into town and pick up some parts. Here’s the list. Don’t fuck around too long. I need you back here and working within the hour.”

“Got it.”

Wesley and Rich get right back to work, but my father doesn’t let me leave just yet.

He leers at me with his one good eye and sighs. “Do me a favor and don’t do anything stupid tonight, Eddie. I know you love this girl, but don’t let yourself get so wrapped up in love it consumes you. Be kind to her and listen to what she has to say. I’ve seen the way you are with her. You’re not always the nicest. If you want to keep a girl like Amber around, you need to start treating her better, Son. She deserves more than the mediocre attention you’ve been giving her lately. That light you had every time you looked at her, is gone. I don’t know if it’s because of you coming clean about straying on her, or maybe you’re just getting cold feet, but if you plan on marrying this girl, at least treat her like you love her.”

My parents have been married for almost thirty-five years, their relationship is what I want mine and Amber’s mirrored after. But it’s hard to mirror perfection when you’ve already shattered the glass. I know I fucked up when I slept with Jinafer like I did, and I live with that guilt every damn day because of it.

“Alright, Dad. I’ll try. Thanks for the pep talk.”

He shrugs. “It’s not like it worked,” he says, laughing just a tad. “Just remember what I said, okay?”

“I will.”

He hands me the list and pushes me toward the door. “Be back in one hour.”

“I will, jeesh.”

He keeps his good eye on me until I reach the car, then disappears inside to yell at Wesley some more.

Before I go on my run, I shoot a text back to Pippa.

Me: Is there something I should know?

Pippa: You know I can’t tell you that, Eddie. Just be at the house around nine p.m., okay?

Closing up my phone, I don’t even bother responding. That pit of dread is back, and this time it feels like it wants to take me out for good.

I know I don’t deserve Amber’s loyalty, but I swear to God, if she did something in Vegas, I’ll never forgive her.

Nobody touches Amber but me.

Chapter Three