Free I'm So Sure by Jenny B Jones Page B

has been for you!”
    Luke starts the 4Runner. “Well, your interrogation tactics obviously weren’t working.”
    “Her dad watches CSI . I thought she’d be used to it!” I roll my eyes until I fear they’ll pop out the back side. “And it’s a good thing her dad came out because you were seconds away from laying a big, wet sloppy kiss on that mutt.”
    He turns on a John Mayer CD. “Admit it, you needed my help tonight.”
    “I need your help like I need mono. Like I need zits on picture day.”
    A slow piano melody melts from the speakers, and John Mayer sings a husky song about love.
    The entire tune finishes before Luke speaks again. “What do you think of Victoria?”
    I exhale loudly and watch the barren trees lining the road. “I think she’s hiding something.”
    “Me too.” He taps his fingers on the steering wheel in time to the music. “I can ask around and find out who the boyfriend is. Might be useful information.”
    “Don’t bother. I’ll find out myself.” But I know he’s already got a plan brewing in that overly smart brain of his. “Hey, do you know you’ve made two wrong turns?”
    Luke glances in the rearview. “Don’t panic, but I think we’re being followed.” He hangs a stiff right. “Yep, we’ve definitely got company.”
    “Is it a cop?” I try to make out the vehicle behind us but can’t see anything but headlights. “Maybe we should pull over.”
    He snorts. “Don’t you watch horror movies? That’s the last thing we want to do.”
    I say a quick, silent prayer and curl my fingers into the seat. Lord, it would be supercool if I didn’t die tonight.
    “Here it comes.” Luke speeds up.
    The headlights grow more intense as the car moves closer until it’s beside us on the two-lane road.
    I turn to get a good look at the vehicle. Four-door sedan. Heavily tinted. Can’t see inside.
    The car’s engine roars, drowning out the sound of my heart pounding.
    Time moves in slow motion. One second I’m checking out the car. The next I hear metal on metal, and I’m thrown into the door. The side of my head hits the window.
    The sedan pounds into us again. Tires screech. The 4Runner swerves. Luke fights for control of the vehicle as it weaves left and right. A scream works its way up my throat. Help us, God.
    Luke jerks the steering wheel to the right, and we sail into a ditch. Grass hits the underside of the SUV, and finally we stop—an inch away from a fence post.
    The sedan races out of sight.
    “Are you okay?” Luke throws off his seat belt. He flips the interior light, and his eyes and hands are all over me. “Bella?”
    My body shakes like I’m chilled. My heart is lodged in my throat.
    Luke’s hands frame my face. “Bella, talk to me. Where are you hurt?” His fingers move across my cheek, my neck, my arms, my—“Hey!” I slap him away. “Save it for Taylor!”
    He leans back some and breathes a sigh full of relief. “So no injuries?”
    “There’s a distinct possibility I wet my pants.”
    His lips curl into a small smile. “You’re gonna have a bruise here.” He touches my forehead with feather-light fingertips.
    “What about you?” I ask. “Are you all right? ” He had to have felt the brunt of the impact.
    Luke nods. “I had the steering wheel to hang on to.” His eyes assess me again before he starts up the SUV and slowly backs up and steers us out of the ditch. “Did you see the driver?”
    “No. Too dark. Did you ID the car?”
    He shakes his head. “I couldn’t even tell what color it was. Not a light-colored vehicle. That’s all I know. I was just focused on keeping us on the road.”
    “You did a great job.” I slouch deeper into my seat, letting some of the tension go.
    His hand reaches out and rubs my arm. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
    My hand rests over his, and I nod my head. Our eyes meet and hold. I feel my pulse accelerating for reasons having nothing to do with the wreck.
    Luke’s phone rings, and I’m