Ten

That asshole had the nerve to text me after months of silence. Anger boiled inside me and tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I gripped my phone so tightly it was in danger of breaking and I almost wished it would. I wouldn’t have to deal with that drama if I didn’t have a phone.

A hand rested on my shoulder, startling me back into reality. I turned to find Jensen staring at me, concern in his eyes.

“Bad news?” He leaned closer, his hand leaving my shoulder reaching to take my hand, but I pulled away.

I stood abruptly, my chin trembling as I backed away.

“Excuse me.”

I bolted for the bathroom, looking the door once I was safely inside. Rushing to the sink, I turned the faucet on and splashed cold water on my face hoping it would hold back the tears. I refused to let one little message get me down. Josh wasn’t worth it.

A few minutes later there was a soft knock on the door.

“Freya? It’s Saw, can I come in?”

I glanced at the door, unsure. I was a hot mess and wasn’t sure if I wanted to be alone or not, but she was my friend and isn’t that what friends were for? To help you in times of need such as this. I wasn’t sure; I’d never had a friend before.

She knocked again.

“Sweetie?”

With a sigh, I stood and walked to the door. Once it was unlocked, she opened it just a fraction and stepped in, locking it behind her. She looked up at me, concern in her eyes.

“Today is not my day,” I chuckled dryly.

I sat down on the toilet, putting my head in my hands.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She walked over to squat down in front of me.

I looked up and shrugged.

“I think maybe it was just anxiety overload. First I offer Jensen my spare room, then Josh texts me.”

Her eyes narrowed and wrapped an arm around me.

“Screw that douche canoe. He’s not worth the worry.” She growled, rubbing my back.

“I agree, so I’m plan to ignore him. Maybe he’ll get the hint.” It was as good a plan as any and I really didn’t know if I cared to hear what he had to say.

“As for Jensen, he’s going to be living with you?” She looked like she wanted to laugh, but was holding it back.

“It’s going to be a complete mess. How am I supposed to live with him when I’m harboring some seriously unknown feeling for him?”

“Maybe it will be good for you. It will give you the opportunity to figure out these feelings, plus sometimes I suspect you aren’t the only one hiding your feelings.” Her face was serious now, but I rolled my eyes not buying into it.

“Not likely. I’m too awkward and plain. Not to mention mess right now.”

This time it was her who rolled her eyes.

“You just don’t see yourself clearly, Freya, but Jensen; he sees you.”

I sighed, exasperated.

“What happened to you telling me to stay away from him? You said he was nothing but heartbreak and if you can recall, I just had my heart broken, I don’t want to go through that again. Not anytime soon.”

“He’s been different since you’ve been around,” she stated. We were both standing now, she leaned against the wall. “Think about it. It’s been weeks since some random hoochie has stopped by for him. Weeks! It used to be a daily occurrence and now it’s zero. Why do you think that is, Freya?”

I threw my hands in the air and paced the room.

“How should I know? I doubt it has anything to do with me.”

“I think it does and I think him living with you will work out and if not, then you can always kick him out.” She pushed off the wall and headed for the door. “Now come on. We have work to do.”
        “I can’t go out there. I made a fool of myself in front of Jensen and I don’t want to face him just yet,” I confessed, looking at the door in fear.

“When I walked in he was pacing the floor, freaking out thinking something was wrong. He’s worried about you. They all are.” Her hand was on the knob. “It will be fine.”

She pulled the door open and all the guys were on the other side, staring us in concern.

“She’s fine,” Saw informed them.

They all looked to me causing a blush to creep up my neck.

“I’m fine,” I reassured them.

They all nodded and headed back to their rooms, but Jensen remained, his eyes still on me. I could tell he wasn’t convinced that I was fine, and I knew it would be a little harder to reassure him.

I looked to Saw, and she gave me a wink before disappearing down the hall. I forced a small smile as I approached Jensen.

“I’m fine, really,” I said, trying to sound reassuring.

“I don’t believe that, luv.” He crossed his arms over his chest, glaring down at me. “I saw you face.”

“It was an overreaction; it was nothing.” I went to pass him, but his hand shot out, stopping me.

 He gave me a disbelieving look and I knew he wouldn’t leave me alone until he got answers. I threw my hands up in defeat. “Fine! It was my ex, okay?! He broke up with me when I moved here and we hadn’t talked in months. His sudden text caught me off guard. Like I said, it was nothing.”

I had looked away as I spoke, but chanced a peek up at him. His face had softened and I could see the pity there and I hated it. He opened his mouth to say something, but I shook my head, turning towards my desk.

“Don’t. I’m fine. I was more angry than anything. Sometimes I cry when I get angry; it's an embarrassing habit.”

My back was to him as I sat at my desk. I was too embarrassed to look at him again. Grabbing my books, I settled on packing up my homework. There was no way I would be able to focus on it now. Hopefully I’d be able to find something work related to occupy my time until my shift ended.

Jensen hadn’t said anything since I turned my back on him, so I peeked over my shoulder to check on him, but he was gone. I shook my head, turning back to my desk.

Just as I found something to work on, footsteps sounded down the hall and I turned to find Jensen walking toward me. I braced myself for whatever he was planning to say, but he took me by surprise when he smiled at me.

“Gather your things, luv. I’m taking you to dinner.” I must have made a face because he just rolled his eyes and pushed past me, collecting my belongings. “The shop is dead and it’s only a few hours until closing. Mack is cool with it, so let be off.” He handed me my bag and without thinking I took it, slinging it over my shoulder.

We were almost to the door when my brain started working again. I grabbed Jensen’s shoulder, stopping him.

“Why?” I asked, bewildered.

“Why what, luv?” He asked, arching an eyebrow at me.

“What are we going to dinner?”

“Because I’m hungry and Saw mentioned that you hadn’t eaten today. I know you’re hungry.” He had a point, I was starving.

“That’s all thought, right? Just because we’re hungry?” I wasn’t sure what I was asking or why I was asking it.

“Only because we’re hungry,” he insisted.

“Oh. Okay then,” I sighed. “Let’s go then.”

He gave me one last look, then we proceeded to the parking lot. I started to my own car when a hand slipped into my, stopping me.

“We’ll take my car, then return for yours later.”

I shrugged, then let him pull me towards his car. My mind still numb from the fact that he hadn’t let my hand go and how nice it felt. When we stopped in front of his car and I let my hand fall from his. Reaching it to run along the glossy black paint.

“Is this a sixties model?” I asked, turning to look at him.

“Sixty-seven. You know what it is?” I tried not to be offended by the surprise that colored his tone.

“Of course! I love old cars and this one happens to be one of my favorite models. Yours is in fantastic condition.” I walked to the passenger side door and climbed in. I couldn’t help but run my hands along the leather interior, looking around at the incredible restoration. Whoever had done it, was very skilled. It was flawless.

I looked over to find Jensen staring at me with an odd expression.

“What?” I asked smiling.

“It’s just refreshing to find a girl that likes cars. Especially older ones,” he told me.

He started the car and when it roared to life I was pretty sure I had died and went to classic car heaven. A grin spread across my face and I looked to Jensen.

“I think I’m in love with your car,” I informed him.

“Lucky car,” he smirked.

“It’s looks and sounds amazing,” I told him. “It must’ve cost you a pretty penny to have it restored.”

“Actually, I restored it myself, though it wasn’t cheap,” he chuckled, rubbing his hands along the steering wheel affectionately.

“You refurbished this yourself?” My eyes went wide. I was in shock because I didn’t peg his as mechanic.

“Yea,” he said, looking smug. “Tattooing is my passion, but in my spare time I love to work on cars.”

This guy couldn’t be real. Since I’d meet him he had been nothing less than a gentleman, though he loved to tease me. He was crazy talented and knew it, but wasn’t over the top arrogant about it. He took pride in his work and that was awesome.

I continued to stare at him in awe with a silly smile on my face.

“What?” he smiled, pulling out of the parking lot and into traffic.

“Nothing. It’s just… I think you’re kind of awesome.” I told him, looking away.

“Thanks,” he laughed.

        I turned my attention to the road and realized that we were headed out of town.

        “Um, where are we going?” I asked, looking at him again.

        “To my favorite pizza place,” he told me.

        “Okay,” I said, settling back getting comfortable. I was starving so I hoped we would get there soon.