“The point is, Jenna, no one is normal or perfect like that house you see across the street. Everyone suffers from their own struggles, whether they’re big or small. There’s no such thing as having a flawless life.”
With her head bowed, she whispers, “Not according to my mother.”
I suck my teeth. “Well, no offense to you or your mother, but she obviously doesn’t know shit.”
A soft chuckle escapes her. She’s actually laughing. It’s a soft laugh, but it’s a laugh nonetheless. Jenna looks up at me, and her moist cheeks slightly lift as a small smile spreads across her delicate features. “You should do that more often,” I say.
Baffled, she asks, “What?”
“Smile. It looks good on you.” And just like that it disappears. Her eyes tear away from mine to look anywhere else but at me. It’s like smiling is frowned upon or illegal or some shit. I shift uncomfortably. “Want a lift home?”
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t want to go home.”
I look around. It’s just the two of us out here, but I don’t want anyone seeing her like this. “Would you like me to drive you anywhere? I don’t mind.”
“No. Well…” she hesitates. “Do you think I can use your phone to call Charlie? I mean if you have one, of course.”
“Yeah, of course.” I dig into my jean pocket and remove my cell, reaching out to hand it to her. She grabs it and turns her back to me. Seconds later, she has my phone against her ear and she’s talking to her friend. I wait patiently as Jenna tells Charlie where she’s located, and then she ends the call.
Jenna turns back around and hands over my cell. “Thank you. She’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
I take a look at the time. I have ten minutes before my shift starts. There goes being early. “I’ll wait with you.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. Please, I’ll be okay.”
I’ll be damned if I’m going to leave a girl by the corner alone. I mean I can be a dick sometimes, sure, but my mother taught me some manners, dammit. I walk to the corner and sit on the curb. “Nah. Like I said, I’ll wait with you.”
“Okay.” She takes a seat beside me. I hand her the napkins in my hand again. This time she takes them.
“Thanks.” She wipes her cheeks.
“No problem,” I say. And then it’s quiet, too quiet. I clap my hands together and rest my elbows on my knees. “So what were you doing out here?”
“I went for a run.”
I look at her, flashing a half smile. “You usually run in socks and pajama pants?”
“I just needed to get away.”
My smile falters. “Can I ask you something?” She nods at me. “Without you getting offended?” She scowls, hesitant at first, but then she relaxes and nods again. “Why did your friend say you’re not too keen on hanging out with us guys at the party this weekend? Is it because we’re not on the same level as you are?”
“Same level?”
“Yeah, you know, wealth, education, shit like that.”
“W-what? No. That has nothing to do with it. I just don’t know you guys and to spend an entire weekend with strangers is not very safe, in my opinion as a woman.”
I nod, understanding. Well at least I think I do. “Oh. So you won’t be going?”
“No. I’m sorry. No offense or anything, it’s just not my scene. The partying, drinking, and socializing…all of it, it’s just not me.”
“It’s more than just that. It’s a chance to escape, to be free for a couple days.” I shake my head, remembering the memories of the past few years. “I guess because I grew up at the lake house, it’s a bit more than just a party place to me. Look, all I’m saying is if you need a break from your own head, the lake house is probably the best place to go. So if you end up changing your mind, you’re more than welcome to come.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Just as I’m about to ask another question, her friend pulls up. Jenna stands and dusts herself off hastily, walks over to the car, and jumps in the passenger side. After buckling her seatbelt, she looks out the window at me. I sweep my hand up and wave at her once. She waves back with a small grin on her face, and I think she mouths, “Thank you,” before the car pulls away.
“Are you kidding me, Logan?” Uncle George yells out. Yep, I’m late—by fifteen minutes, to be exact. Fuck my life. I walk past him, ignoring his glare. I grab my tool belt and wrap it around my waist. I nod at Santino who flicks his brows up in return. His expression is scared shitless for me. “Logan!” I take a deep breath.
“Yeah, George?” I ask, turning to face my uncle.
“Get over here. Now.” He points a finger down.
So I’m going to get fired today. Sweet. Fired on a day that I was planning to be in early, a day that I woke up early for. The same day I tried to be a nice guy and help a girl out.
I approach him as he scowls at me something brutal. I’ve seen this look before, plenty of times, especially when I was a kid and got in trouble with Bryson and Sean. “Give me a damn good reason why I shouldn’t let your ass go right now!”
I straighten my shoulders. “Because I was doing a good deed.”
“And what was that? Screwing a girl you met at a bar, who may or may not have some type of STD?”
I tighten my jaw. “No. Helping a girl who was stranded a few blocks away from here.”
“And what makes you think I’d believe that bullshit?”
I shrug. “It’s the truth. You can accept it and allow me to get to work, or don’t and let me go.”
His eyes narrow. “Get your ass to work. But the next time you’re late—”
“I know. I’m fired,” I finish for him. Then I turn and walk toward the rest of guys, breathing a small sigh of relief as I go.
“Charlie, I asked if you could pack a bag for me, not bring along my entire closet.” I grunt as I drag my large suitcase up her stairs.
“Well, I wanted you to have options.” She shrugs.
“Thanks,” I sass. I do appreciate that she took the time to pack my things. There was no way I could stay in my house tonight. My mother would’ve driven me beyond mad. Thankfully, Charlie stayed after I ran off, waiting for me to come back. When she pulled up at the corner where Logan and I sat, I felt a huge sense of relief, but I also had to explain to her why Logan was there with me.