Chapter 6: Jenni

“Dammit!”

I turned the key in the ignition, waited for the engine to roar to life, and cursed again when all it did was sputter and die. I slammed my fists against the steering wheel, opened the door and stepped out into the night. The summer breeze that welcomed me was supposed to calm me down, but instead I felt like grabbing a baseball bat and hit on the car.

I had been planning to change the battery a week ago, but never really got around to doing it. Now I was paying the price for my burst of procrastination. I looked up the street, toying with the idea of just walking the rest of the way, then quickly abandoned the notion. The café was at least three miles down the road, and by the time I’d get there, I wouldn’t be able to get any work done anyway. I had a better chance of walking home than trying to get any work done tonight.

I cursed again, kicked at the wheel, and pulled out my phone, trying to decide on whether I should call my dad or Garth.

Definitely, Garth. Dad’s just going to use this as an example of why you can’t be on your own, and he might even bring up the little ‘adventure’ you had in the back room this morning.

Yeah, but Garth was going to be just as useless. He rarely answered the phone anyway, something I had learned early on. And even when he did, he always found some excuse to call you back.

Which never happened.

I scrolled through the contacts on my phone, wondering if I may have saved Pete’s Garage’s number somewhere, when the battery began to blink and the screen went dead.

“Just my fucking luck!”

I kicked at the wheel again, winced with the pain that shot up my leg, and hobbled back to the driver’s door. I took in a deep breath, trying my best to calm my nerves, and let it out in a long sigh. I looked up and down the road, hoping I could maybe hail someone down, but the streets were deserted. You’ll just have to wait.

I looked across the street at the few houses that sat in a huddle around the ballpark, and considered my options. The typical ‘can I use your phone’ excuse might be a little too cliché, and even in Kent, people had begun to lock their doors.

With the spike in recent crime rates, it’s not really a surprise.

I opened the driver’s door, slumped into my seat and closed it with a slam loud enough to portray my frustration. Not that it mattered, really; no one was around to watch me break into a three-year-old’s tantrum. I fished in the glove compartment for a car charger, and when I didn’t find one, slammed that shut, too. The night couldn’t have gotten worse.

Maybe you can get some work done here?

I thought about that for a second, shrugged, and reached for my laptop in the backseat. I took it out, flipped the cover open and waited for it to start up. In the rearview mirror, I spotted twin lights in the distance. For a second, relief washed over me, and then the lights disappeared as the car turned onto another street. I sighed and settled back down, turning my attention back to the laptop.

The battery only had thirteen percent left.

I slammed the lid shut and lay my head back. Why I constantly forgot to charge my electronics, I had no idea. The only thing I was sure of was that if one thing went wrong, everything else probably would to.

“Three dead batteries,” I said to the empty car. “That’s nursery rhyme material right there.”

Another pair of lights illuminated the rearview mirror, and these didn’t swerve onto any other streets. I watched them approach for a few seconds, trying not to get my hopes up, and when I realized that the car might pass me by, I quickly stepped out and waved it down.

The Ford truck slowed to a stop beside me, and I found myself gazing into eyes that seemed to glimmer in the little bit of light that the night had to offer. The man gazing back at me took me by complete surprise, and I found myself lost for words as my eyes traced the strong jaw and cheekbones down to the muscular arm leaning on the open window. Why, hello!

I thanked whatever God was in heaven for the fact that he couldn’t see me blush.

“Jenni?”

I frowned, recognizing the voice immediately, and looked past the hunk in the passenger seat at Samuel Logan. He was leaning on the steering wheel to look at me, and between the two men sat a beautiful girl with thick brunette hair, probably no older than twelve or thirteen, with her eyes glued to her phone.

“Sam!” I cried out, a wave of relief washing over me. “Am I glad to see you!”

“What are you parked all the way out here for?” Samuel asked.

I bit my lip, embarrassed as I looked from Samuel to his passenger and back. Those eyes! I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.

“Battery died on me,” I replied, trying my best not to focus on the man still staring at me.

“Did you try calling Pete’s?” Samuel asked.

“Phone died, too,” I admitted, albeit a little more quietly.

“Hold up,” Samuel said, stepping out of the truck with a groan. “Let me see what we can do about that.”

I watched him walk around the front of the truck, then looked back at the man in the passenger seat. He gave me a small smile and a nod, and I quickly returned both before following Samuel to my car. I unlocked the hood, and he pushed it up, locking it in place.

“So, what happened?” Samuel asked.

“Just stopped in the middle of the road,” I replied, briefly looking over my shoulder as the other man stepped out of the truck.

“And it won’t start?”

“Nope.”

“Problem with the alternator,” the other man said, walking past me and reaching into the hood of the car. I saw him fiddle with the spark plugs before clicking his tongue. “At least that’s what it sounds like.”

“Jenni, you know my son, Alex,” Samuel said.

No fucking way!

My eyes shot wide as Alex Logan smiled and reached out a hand. I took it, shaking it loosely and just stared at him. Like an idiot, I might add.

“I think he babysat you a couple of time,” Samuel chuckled. “This is Hank’s little girl, Alex.”

Alex nodded in recognition, his eyes never leaving mine, and I felt like I was beginning to drown in them. There was something more than just masculine about him. His entire demeanor reflected control and confidence, and for a second there I actually believed he could start my car with just the snap of his fingers.

“Jenni Wright,” he said, smiling again. “I remember.”

I remembered Alex from my old days, when he was a senior in high school and on his way to college. He had babysat me a few times, especially when my dad had to pull double shifts when we were short on staff, and I remembered him telling me that I could do whatever I wanted as long as I made sure to keep it down. He had even let me stay up late. I also remembered the childish little crush I had on him.

“Surprised you’re still in Kent,” Alex was saying.

“I’m managing the diner with my dad,” I replied. “And doing a little writing.”

“And robs me of my money every morning,” Samuel cut in, chuckling. I shot him one of my ‘don’t play that card’ looks I usually reserved for my dad’s friends, and that only made him laugh harder. Alex seemed quite amused at the whole ordeal.

“Well, there’s nothing I can do for you here, Jenni,” Samuel said, “but we can tie your car up to the truck and I can tow you to Pete’s.”

“Anything is better than sitting out here,” I said. “I was thinking of just walking home and leaving it here until the morning.”

“And have your father give you hell over this tomorrow?” Samuel asked, shaking his head. “Nah, we want him thinking you’re the strong, independent woman you claim to be.”

“I would call that comment sexist if I didn’t need the help,” I smiled.

Samuel laughed and slapped Alex on the arm. “Help me with the chains.”

I stood to a side as I watched them work. Samuel maneuvered the truck until its rear end was a few feet away from my fender, and Alex quickly worked the chains in between them, giving them a quick tug just to make sure they wouldn’t break loose. There was definitely control in those hands, and for a split-second I wondered what it would feel like to have them working me.

What the hell’s the matter with you?

I shook my head quickly and ran a hand through my hair. What was I thinking? I was acting like a teenager with no control over her hormones. It was completely unlike me, and I mentally chastised myself for it. I couldn’t understand what had gotten into me, and although I was known to be attracted to the strong ones, current relationship included, I felt like this was pushing it a little too far. I blamed it on the erotica-ghostwriting state of mind I was currently in, but that didn’t make me feel any better.

Stop it! You keep acting like this, and he’ll get the wrong idea.

Still, I couldn’t help thinking there was something about him. Sure, he was hot, and his physique left little doubt as to what was under the shirt he was wearing. But I was definitely not the kind of girl who just threw herself at every man she thought was attractive. Besides, the girl in the truck could only be his daughter, which probably meant that there was a Mrs. Logan in the picture.

And there’s a Garth Liston in yours.

Fuck.

“I think we’re good here,” Alex said, shooting me a quick glance before checking the chains a second time. He got up, stretched, and I noticed how one hand was massaging his right thigh. Samuel gave us a thumbs-up, and Alex gestured to the truck. “Get in,” he said.

“That’s okay, I can ride in the car,” I said quickly.

“Why?” he asked. “There’s enough space in the truck. And besides, Sam will probably send me home walking if I didn’t insist.”

I looked at the car, then at Samuel as he waved me over, then shrugged. Alex led me to the back of the truck, opened the door and helped me up. I felt a slight burst of electricity race up my arm at his touch, and again found myself thanking the darkness for hiding whatever my face would have given away.

Alex climbed into the front just as I settled myself in my seat. The girl had forgotten about her phone and was now watching me closely.

“Hi,” I smiled.

The girl only looked at me and didn’t reply.

“Be nice, Kelly,” Alex said as he put his seatbelt on and Samuel slowly pulled away from the curb.

“I didn’t say anything,” Kelly complained.

“Exactly.”

Kelly looked at me, and I rolled my eyes, quickly trying to take her side on this. Kelly smiled, rolled her eyes as well and shrugged.

“She seems nice,” she said.

“She’s sitting right there,” Alex replied while Samuel chuckled.

“I know,” Kelly retorted, looking at me over her shoulder. “That’s why I said it.”