Free Entangled by Annie Brewer

ungraceful ass. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I just thought you’d like something to drink. I talked to your aunt, and I know how hot it is after all that riding.” I eye the glass of ice cold water and seize it from her grasp like a starving wild beast. I swallow the contents in less than three gulps. She watches in fascination as I hand her back the glass.
    “Thirsty?”
    “You’ve no idea.” I reply grateful. “And thank you.” As I start toward the house, she catches up pace.
    “Hey, I was going into town if you’d like to come along.” I almost accept…almost.
    “Already been there, but thanks.”
    “Oh, okay.” She looks disappointed and for some reason, I don’t like it. “What are you going for?” Hesitation, evident in my voice.
    “I wanted to check out some new CD’s at Best Buy and maybe grab a bite to eat.”
    “Okay, I need a shower. Give me fifteen?”
    “You can shower in fifteen minutes?”
    “I’m not a chick, so I don’t have to shave or wash my hair for an hour, so yeah…my showers are usually quick.” I look away, noticing her trying not to stare at my still bare chest. She places her hands on her hips dramatically. I turn away from her so I don’t take notice of her shorts showing off her bare legs, nicely. Her long brown hair is in a messy bun on top of her head, and I like it. The messy look always attracted me, as opposed to the perfected look most girls do to impress guys. Of course if a girl is hot, then I didn’t care what she wore so long as she ended up in my bed at some point, with no clothes on.
    But that’s not happening, not with this one. Or any other.
    “Okay, I’ll be back.” I stalk into the house, straight to the bathroom to wash this stench and dirty thoughts from my body. I’m not going there. Ever.
    While showering, I think about the conversation with Spencer. Damn him and his big mouth, about hot girls and Kasey. I slap myself for thinking of her, again. I may have cared about her, or could have if I didn’t turn off my emotions.
    I dry myself off with a towel and realize I didn’t bring my clothes in with me. Hoping against hope, I quietly escape the bathroom and tread down the hall and past the kitchen where I hear my aunt’s voice carry, and race to the bathroom, without being seen.
    Shit, I need to do laundry, I tell myself. I settle on khaki shorts, black t-shirt and throw my New York hat on, not bothering with my hair. “Ready?” I ask, once I come out of the bedroom.
    “Oh, yeah. Let me finish my coffee real quick.” I sit at the table across from my aunt and see her glancing from Maddy to me, suspiciously. I glare at her and slowly shake my head. She hides her grin behind her cup  as she takes a sip, looking away.
    “Okay, I’m done.” She moves to the sink and rinses her cup out. “Linda, I will see you soon. Thanks for the chat.”
    “Of course, Maddy. You kids be good.” I look back when I reach the door and make a face. She’s so obvious and it’s not funny.
    “Which car are we taking?” Maddy asks. I look from her civic to my jeep. “Let’s take yours.” She nods, unlocking the doors. It’s small inside but not a typical girl car, which sounds sexist to say. I just didn’t see this as a girl car, mostly after encountering guys behind the wheel but what the hell do I know? Though I can’t help but find her attractive behind the wheel.
    “So, how’s it going so far? Your aunt seems fond of you.” Or pities me. “My aunt doesn’t know me. I guess it’s okay so far. I need to get a place of my own though.” She keeps her eyes on the road and I keep my eyes on everything but her. For some unknown reason, she makes me nervous. I don’t get nervous, which makes me nervous about being nervous with her.
    “Well, you can probably get a one bedroom apartment in my building. They’re pretty reasonable.” I glance at her, and she smiles.
    “What?”
    “You mentioned getting an apartment.” I face the