Free Deep Green: Color Me Jealous with Bonus Content by Melody Carlson Page A

it all wrong,” I said. “What do you think? Did I totally blow it with you, Tim?”
    He seemed to consider this as he put the car into gear and started to back up. “We better get out of here, Jordan.”
    I laughed. “Are you worried someone will see us together?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    It wasn’t long before we were parked in a fairly secluded parking lot on the far side of the city park. And with the rain pouring down and the windows getting fogged by our heated breath, we kissed with a passion that was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. It was almost savage the way we were grabbing for each other. And then we managed to crawl, somewhat awkwardly, into the backseat, where there was only a little more room but at least no gear shift lodged between us.
    This is going to be it , I told myself with real determination. I am going to do IT. I am going to win this guy back even if it means I have to give in completely. I’m going to win him back, and then he’ll be mine—all mine! The thought both thrilled and terrified me.
    And in that same moment, we heard a loud thumping noise on the roof of the car, and it didn’t seem to be the rain. Timothy rolled down the window to see his own father, a very damp and somewhat disturbed-looking Mr. Lawrence, peering into the car with obvious curiosity.
    “What is going on here?” he asked abruptly, and then seeing me, cowering behind Tim, his brows lifted as if he knew exactly what was going on. “Timothy?”
    “I—uh—I—”
    “I thought something was wrong with your car,” said Mr. Lawrence quickly, and it was clear to see that the poor man was uncomfortable by his discovery. “I thought maybe you’d broken down.”
    “Nothing’s wrong, Dad.” Timothy’s voice was slightly irritated.
    “Well, I was on my way home from work and I just happened to notice your car as I drove on the overpass.” He cleared his throat. “Couldn’t imagine why you’d be out here in the middle of the rain like this.”
    “Jordan had a flat tire,” said Timothy. As if that explained everything. “I was just helping her.”
    Mr. Lawrence shook his head. “That’s not how you fix a tire, son.”
    “We’re just leaving, Dad.” Timothy got out of the car and went around to the front door as I climbed back into the passenger seat, feeling pretty trampy. But here’s what’s really weird about this whole scenario: I also felt relieved. Hugely relieved . So much so that I actually had to hide the grin that might have destroyed everything. Instead, I hunched down and folded my arms across my chest and acted as if I’d just been denied the greatest opportunity of my entire life.
    Timothy got inside the car and exhaled loudly as he watched his dad drive away. Then he punched the steering wheel and cussed.
    “Yeah, it just figures,” I said, still hunched over and looking seriously disgruntled.
    “Huh?”
    “Well, nothing is going right for me anymore.” I made this groaning sound. “It’s just not fair, Tim. Since you left me, my life has just gone from bad to worse to totally messed up and hopeless. I should be wearing a big L on my head for ‘loser.’”
    He turned around and patted my head. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself, Jordie.”
    I smiled at him. Now usually I hate to be called Jordie, but it sounded kind of sweet coming from him.
    “I think we better head out,” he said.
    “Yeah, I guess.”
    So he started his car and I dug around in my purse until I found some tissues and helped him clean the fog off the front windows. “Got pretty steamy in here,” I said in a slightly suggestive tone.
    “That’s for sure.”
    “I guess you should probably take me home now,” I told him, sounding disappointed again. “I’ll need to get some help getting my tire fixed and everything.”
    “I’d help you,” he said, “but I, well, I was supposed to see Shawna tonight.”
    I nodded. “So, are you going to tell her about what happened today?”
    He