Free Second Chance (Cruiser & Lex, Book 2) by Dee J. Stone

ask.
    He presses his lips together. “Why shouldn’t I be?”
    “What are your plans for today?”
    His eyes narrow. “Why? Trying to get rid of me so that you and Lex can finally—”
    “Will you shut up about that? Why you keep saying that in front of her? Doesn’t make her feel good.”
    He snorts. “So now I should care how I make her feel?”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    He shakes his head. Bumps my shoulder as he walks past me.
    “Wait.” I catch his arm. “I’m going to ask you something. I want you to answer honestly. Got it?”
    He shrugs.
    “Does it bother you that I’m with Lex?”
    He presses his lips together again.
    “Rey, I’m serious.”
    “And if it does? You’ll break up with her?”
    I feel something in my gut. Something that pinches me from the inside and sends jolts of pain throughout my body. Rey’s assured me countless times that he’s okay with me and Lex. He was all for it a month ago, told me to go after her because he felt we belonged together. But that was after he knew he was going to L.A. Even if he doesn’t love Lex, I’m sure it hurts to see us together.
    But I love her. I don’t want to lose her. I don’t want to lose Rey, either.
    He smirks. “Relax, I’m kidding. I don’t care that you two are together. I don’t like her like that.”
    I feel relieved. But then I see his eyes. They’re hostile. “You telling me the truth?”
    He nods. A big swallow goes down his throat.
    I sigh. “Why are you lying to me, Rey?”
    “I’m not lying!” His eyes blaze. “I’m not jealous of Lex. I don’t want her. I just…I just…” He rubs his arm across his eyes.
    I get it. Get what upsets him every time he sees me with my girl. “You want to meet someone.”
    His jaw clenches.
    “What about the girls in L.A.? You said a few caught your eye. None work out?”
    “Obviously.”
    “You’ll meet someone, Rey. You’re a good guy. Smart, ambitious, talented. You’ve got lots of interests and knowledge. Just give it some time.”
    “Whatever.” He bumps my shoulder again and runs down the stairs.
    I stare after him for a bit before going back to my room. Lex is lying on her stomach, legs kicking the air. Eyes intent on the stupid math book. I dive to the bed and get my arms around her, spin her around and crash down on top of her. We both laugh as I bury my face in her neck.
    I’m lying on top of her, but I put my weight on my elbows so I don’t hurt her. She wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my stomach. She yanks me close to her. Makes me collapse on her. I shift over so I don’t suffocate her.
    She rests her chin on my shoulder. “So much for studying.”
    “Looks like I might have to hire someone more competent.”
    She whacks my shoulder. “Maybe someone needs to learn to control himself.”
    “Maybe someone shouldn’t be so damn irresistible.”
    My cheeks hurt from smiling. She digs her nose into my shoulder. “You’re pretty irresistible yourself.”
    “Why thank you, darlin’.”
    We lie like this for a little bit, enjoying the feeling of being near each other. She says, “Is Rey okay?”
    I don’t want to think or talk about last night. I don’t want Lex anywhere near this. Maybe the universe will give me a break and convince Rey to get his act together. Then I could forget about all of this.
    “He’s lonely,” I say. Then it hits me. Could that be the reason Rey’s lost his head? But if that was the case, wouldn’t he be hooking up with girls?
    “Does it bother him when he sees us together?” Lex asks.
    “Dunno. He says it doesn’t, but…” I sigh. “I wish I could find him a girl. Not a random girl. A girl he can have a relationship with.” Rey hasn’t had a girlfriend other than Lex. I know he wants one real bad.
    She sits up sharply. “That’s what’s bothering him?”
    “Could be.”
    “Maybe we can try to set him up with a girl at school.”
    I roll the idea around in my head. “Know any