Because of Low (26 page)

of the truck causing it to shake gently reminding us she was back there. After a few more silent moments he finally opened the door.

Beau carried Nicole’s limp body to the door and knocked. It opened and he walked inside. I wondered who opened the door. Was it Nicole’s mom? Did she care her daughter was passed out drunk? Was she letting Beau take her up to her room? Would Beau stay with her? Crawl in bed with her and fall asleep?

Beau reappeared in the doorway before my imagination got too carried away.

Once he was back inside the truck I cranked it up and headed for the trailer park where he lived.

“So tell me Ash, is your insistence to drive home the drunk guy and his whore girlfriend because you’re the perpetual good girl who helps everyone? ‘Cause I know you don’t like me much so I’m curious as to why you want to make sure I get home safe?”

“Beau you’re my friend. Of course I like you. We’ve been friends since we were five. Sure we don’t hang out anymore or go terrorizing the neighborhood together but I still care about you.”

“Since when?”

“Since when what?”

“Since when do you care about me?”

“That is a stupid question Beau. You know I’ve always cared about you,” I replied. Even though I

knew he wouldn’t let such a vague answer fly. The truth was I never really talked to him much anymore. Nicole was normally wrapped around one of his body parts. And when he spoke to me it was always to make some wise crack.

“You hardly acknowledge my existence,” he replied.

“That’s not true.” He chuckled. “We sat by each other in history all year and you hardly ever glanced my way. At lunch you never look at me and I sit at the same table you do. We’re at the field parties every weekend and if you ever turn your superior gaze in my direction it’s normally with a disgusted expression. So, I’m a little shocked you still consider me a friend.”

The large live oak trees signaled the turn into the trailer park Beau had lived all is life. The rich beauty of the southern landscape as you pulled onto the gravel road was deceiving. Once I drove passed the large trees, the scenery drastically changed. Weathered trailers with old cars up on blocks and battered toys scattered the yards. More than one window was covered by wood or plastic. I didn’t gawk at my surroundings. Even the man sitting on his porch steps in nothing but his underwear and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth didn’t surprise me. I knew this trailer park well. It was a part of my childhood. I came to a stop in front of Beau’s trailer. It would be easier to believe this was the alcohol talking but I knew it wasn’t. We hadn’t been alone in over four years. Since the moment I became Sawyer’s girlfriend, our relationship had changed.

I took a deep breath then turned to look at Beau. “I never talk in class. Not to anyone but the teacher. You never talk to me at lunch so I have no reason to look your way. Attracting your attention leads to you making fun of me. And, at the field, I’m not looking at you with disgust. I’m looking at Nicole with disgust. You could really do much better than her.” I stopped myself before I said anything stupid.

He tilted his head to the side as if studying me. “You don’t like Nicole much do you. You don’t have to worry about her hang up with Sawyer. He knows what he’s got and he isn’t going to mess it up. Nicole can’t compete with you.”

Nicole had a thing for Sawyer? She was normally mauling Beau. I’d never picked up on her liking Sawyer. I knew they’d been an item in seventh grade for like a couple of weeks but that was junior high school. It didn’t really count. Besides she was with Beau. Why would she be interested in anyone else?

type.

“I didn’t know she liked Sawyer,” I replied still not sure I believed him. Sawyer was so not her

“You sound surprised,” Beau replied.

“Well I am actually. I mean, she has you. Why does she want Sawyer?” A pleased smile touched his lips making his hazel eyes light up. I realized I hadn’t exactly meant to say something he could misconstrue the way he was obviously doing. He reached for the door handle before pausing and glancing back at me.

“I didn’t know my teasing bothered you Ash. I’ll stop.”

That hadn’t been what I was expecting him to say. Unable to think of a response I sat there holding his gaze.

“I’ll get your car switched back before your parents see my truck at your house in the morning.” He stepped out of the truck and I watched him walk toward the door of his trailer with one of the sexiest swaggers known to man. Beau and I had needed to have this talk. Even if my imagination was going to go wild for a while, where he was concerned. My secret attraction to the town’s bad boy had to remain a secret.

The next morning I found my car parked in the drive way as promised with a note wedged under the windshield wipers. I reached for it and a small smile touched my lips.

“Thanks for last night. I’ve missed you,” he had simply signed it “B”

Also by Abbi Glines

Existence

“He is Death and he’s about to break all the rules.”

Breathe

“It was just supposed to be a summer job.”

Coming this April

Predestined (Existence #2)

“He’s already proven he’ll defy Heaven to keep her. If Hell wants a piece of him too, then bring it on.”

Coming this July

The Vincent Brothers (The Vincent Boys #2)

Acknowledgments

I have to start by thanking Keith, my husband, who tolerated the dirty house, lack of clean clothes, and my mood swings, while I wrote this book (and all my other books).

My three precious kiddos who ate a lot of corn dogs, pizza, and Frosted Flakes because I was locked away writing. I promise, I cooked them many good hot meals once I finished.

Monica Tucker, my best friend in the world and biggest fan. She doesn’t even read fiction, let alone young adult fiction, yet she read Because of Low and helped catch typos, pointed out problems in the story and cheered me on.

Tammara Webber, my critique partner. When Tammara suggested we become critique partners I had a major “fan girl” moment. I adore her Between the Lines series. And of course I immediately JUMPED on that offer. Tammara’s advice, edits, and friendship are all major factors in the creation of Because of Low. She’s brilliant and I’m honored to be able to call her my CP as well as friend.

The Paranormal Plumes
http://www.theplumessociety.com
/ are a group of YA paranormal writers that I absolutely adore. We travel together to hold book signings and we support each other in our writing ups and downs. I love each and every one of them.

And of course I have to mention my FP girls. I’m choosing not to share what FP stands for because my mother may read this and it will give her heart failure. Kidding... maybe. You girls make me laugh, listen to me vent, and always manage to give me some eye candy to make my day brighter. You are truly my posse.

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