Veer (Clayton Falls #2)(23)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“I’m sorry.”

“What exactly are you sorry for? For sleeping with me?”

He shook his head and looked alarmed. “No! No, that’s not it. I’m not sorry for that.”

“You sure seemed that way last week.”

“I was just being an idiot.”

“So why are you here exactly?”

“I can’t stop thinking about you, Becca. I only said those things because I thought it would make everything easier, but obviously all I did was screw things up more.”

“And?”

“And, well, would you maybe want to go out some time?” He gave me this half smile that did something to my stomach—but I ignored it.

“Is this a joke?”

“No, of course not.”

“Listen, Gavin. You didn’t have to come here to apologize. I’m a big girl, and I can handle it. I’m only going to be around another few months—so it’s not that big of a deal.”

“But it is a big deal. I don’t want to avoid you. I want to see you more.”

“You had it right the first time.” I picked up my chin and forced myself to meet his eyes.

“What are you saying?”

“Let’s just pretend it never happened. Good night.” I got up and headed inside.

“Becca, wait. Please, let’s talk about this.”

I closed the door behind me without turning around.

Chapter Sixteen

Gavin

Of all the stupid things I’d done, letting Becca slip out of my place was the dumbest. The full reality of it hit me as I walked through the gate and down the Mathews’s driveway. I don’t know what I was expecting her to say, but throwing my own words back at me, and telling me she wanted to forget it ever happened was as bad as it could get.

“I never took you for being an idiot.” Molly leaned back against Ben’s truck where she’d parked it along the street.

“Thanks, I needed that.”

“I heard what you said to her.”

“Eavesdrop much?”

“Do you want to give me a hard time, or do you want my help?” She crossed her arms, daring me to argue.

“You think you can help me?”

“Yes. But only because I think it’s what’s best for Becca.”

“You think I’m what’s best for Becca?” This could be good, really good.

“Yes. She likes you. She obviously trusts you, or she wouldn’t have been with you. Becca’s always been afraid to trust people, and she’s so worried about her safety that it comes across as OCD or something. She deserves to feel safe, and to be happy, and you might be able to help on both accounts.”

“I know I can. At least I want to try.”

“She needs to stay the summer. I don’t think there’s anything for her in Boston anymore, and I want her to know she can have a place here if she wants.”

“You sound like Jake.” I shifted from foot to foot. I was anxious to do something, anything.

“Ugh. Don’t say that. But if he’s on board, then all the better.”

“So how do you think you can help?”

“I’m working on a plan.” She kicked around a rock with her flip flop.

“When’s it going to be ready?”

“I need some time, but why don’t you start by getting her car back. Dale went out of town for the weekend, but I’m sure you can find someone with whatever that part is they need, can’t you?”

“Yes. Okay, her car. I can do that.”

Molly smiled. “Good.”

“Are you going back to Tom and Kelly’s?”

“Yeah, are you?”

“No, I think I’ll just go home.”

“All right, but start thinking of ways to fix this mess. I know you didn’t mean to hurt her, and she’ll see that one day if you can make up for the fact that you were a total jerk.”

“I hope so.” I didn’t add that I hoped she’d realize it soon.

***

I decided not to go straight home. Dale, the owner of the garage may have been out of town, but Greg was around. I stopped by his house without calling first.

“Listen I need you to do me a favor.”

“I’m listening.” He didn’t move to open the door wider, so I figured we’d have the conversation on the front step. Maybe he had company he didn’t want me to know about.

“I need you to finish up that little bug you have in the shop.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m sure Dale got the part. He just didn’t want to be bothered before taking off for the weekend.”

“So what do you want me to do about it?” He leaned against the door frame.

“Fix her car, Greg.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Why are you so concerned about the bug, Gavin?”

“Because Becca deserves her car back.”

“So this is just the chivalrous side of you? It has nothing to do with trying to get with her?” He grinned.

“Listen, you owe me. Do this, and we’re even.” I didn’t feel the need to bring up exactly why he owed me: I’d made sure to keep his brother’s ass out of jail.

“Fine. I’ll go tomorrow and finish the job.”

“Thanks, man. Call me when it’s done, okay?”

“Sure, I’m guessing you want to bring it to her yourself?”

“Yes.” Of course she probably wouldn’t be thrilled about it.

I went straight home after that. I wasn’t sure what difference the car would make, but it was a start, and I had to fix things with Becca. I couldn’t get her out of my head, and I doubted it was going to suddenly get any better.

***

Greg called me around eleven the next day and told me he had Becca’s car done. I paid the bill and got into the driver’s seat. It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic because I had almost no room in that sad excuse for a car. Why someone would choose to drive such a small car, especially an old one was beyond me—but from the brief conversation I heard her have with Molly, she had some sort of fondness for it.

I left my car at the garage, hoping Becca would forgive me enough to give me a lift back. If not, I’d return Molly’s to her. I could walk to the garage from there. I sat in the car for a minute longer than I needed to. I wasn’t sure what kind of reaction I was in for.

As I walked into the yard, I realized I didn’t need to worry about whether she’d open the door. I watched as she swam laps in the large pool. She was so graceful. Her figure cut elegantly through the water. I held back as much as I could, not ready for her to notice me right away.