Page 32 of Torqued

“Ha! Sounds like me.” I crack myself up on the way to the shower.

I spend more time than is needed in there, but I decided to take a soak in the tub once I realized there was a television in the cabinet. I also grabbed the liquor, so I could relax a little faster.

Once the water cools, I trudge to the bedroom and pull on some basketball shorts to sleep in. No underwear because no one needs that kind of negativity in their life.

It’s late. After midnight actually, and I can’t keep my eyes open. After a few minutes of rearranging the bed, I finally get comfortable. My mind won’t shut off, but my body is begging me to get some rest.

“Oh, c’mon!” Every time I close my eyes, Spencer fills my vision. Her scent, the darker blue swimming in her eyes, her mouth. Damn, that mouth. It’s all I can think about as I lay here alone.

The morning comes too early, or maybe it’s the banging on the door that’s annoying.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

The sound of a hammer jolts me awake, sending me in a tailspin of where I am. I shoot up, sitting ramrod straight in the bed.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

With the sound echoing through the hauler, I jump from the bed, grabbing my phone as I do. My heart pounds as I check my phone, believing I’ve overslept. When the door jars from the force on the other side of it, I pick up my pace to get it open.

“What in the hell?” I unlock the door, pushing it open before turning for the kitchen. “I need java! You had me thinking I was running late the way you’re trying to knock the door off the hinges.”

“If I had known you would answer dressed… or barely dressed as you are, I would have.” A female voice pierces my ear, sending me railing as to why she’s here.

My head spins, and I lock eyes with the one person I don’t need today. Or. for that matter, ever. Lynn stands two feet away from me, making herself comfortable as she grabs a bottle of water from the counter.

“You need to leave. Now.” I proceed toward the door, hoping to cut this short and wanting to help her out the door.

She hops up on the counter, swinging her legs. Her heels are a mile high, and the suit is a cheap copy of Spencer’s. My stomach sours as it churns with bile. This can’t be good.

“Please, calm down. I’m here to help you out, Rush.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, mirroring my fists. “I don’t need the help and I don’t want you here.”

“Already here, making myself at home, and I must say, I make this place look good.” She twists her ass on my counter as she turns to look at me.

I point to the floor and then cross my arms. No way in hell am I going near her. “I’m asking you to leave, or I can call security.”

“Oh, pooh! She’s sucked the fun right out of you, hasn’t she?” Lynn slides from the counter, and I make a mental note to clean it later. No, not rude. People shouldn’t sit on counters that do not belong to them.

I walk over to the door, opening it. “Go. Now.”

“I’m going,” she meanders toward me with a paper in her hand. “I wanted to give you a good luck gift this morning. Although I have to say, I am surprised you’re alone.”

My eyes flicker to the door as it sits ajar. “Give it and go, the door is waiting.”

“Always so impatient.” She eases over to me, settling in and right in front of me. “I suppose that’s why your parents named you Rush.”

“No idea. Never asked. The door is there.” I point to the exit.

Lynn crowds me so that her breasts brush my arms as they lay across my chest. I roll my eyes, stepping back. “Here, ya go.”

“What is it?” I glance at the paper, not interested in taking it from her.

She winks, revealing a shit-eating grin. “Open it, then come find me later.”

“Fine, go ahead and leave.” I open her gift, staring down at it. I blink, hoping my vision clears and I unsee the photo on the cover of a national paper.

Lynn tilts her head, peering over the top. “Oh, it looks like congratulations are in order. They look so happy, totally in love.”