The Girl Next Door
Chapter 36

"Okay," Dad peeks around the hood of my Jeep, "try starting it again."

I turn the key, but nothing happens. Not even the clicking sound that means the engine is trying to turn over. Dad grumbles before straightening to his full height. I open the door and hop out, coming around to the front. With our heads bent together, we stare at the engine.

"Any ideas?" I ask, already knowing the answer. Neither one of us understands a damn thing about cars, except how to drive them.

Dad scratches the side of his head, looking perplexed. Ask him anything about the stock market or assets and equity management, and he can give you a dissertation that would bore you to tears.

Ask him about cars, and he's as silent as a church mouse.

"Nope," he says cheerfully, "I got nothing." He puffs out his lips as he continues staring. "I guess the next step is to call the garage and have it towed."

My shoulders collapse. This Jeep is my baby, and I hate being without it. It was a gift for my sixteenth birthday. Hands down, best present I've ever received. I don't want anything to be seriously wrong with it. Someday I'll need to buy a new car, but I hope it's not anytime soon.

"Give me a minute to grab my keys, and I'll drive you to school."

As Dad jogs up the stairs to the front door, Beck pulls his shiny black Ford F-150 into the driveway and parks alongside my lifeless Jeep.

The tinted window disappears to reveal Beck in the driver's seat. His gaze bounces from the Jeep, with its hood popped open, to me and then Dad, who has stopped on the porch. "You need a jump, Mr. Stanbury? I've got cables in the back."

"No, I don't think it's the battery, the damn thing won't even turn over. I'll call for a tow, and then take Mia to school. Even if we get it started, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting her drive it. The mechanic will have to check it out first." Beck nods as if that makes perfect sense. "I'm heading to Wesley. Mia is welcomed to hitch a ride. There's no reason for you to spend two hours in the car."

Dad runs a hand through his silvered hair. Uncertainty flickers across his features as he shifts his weight and considers the offer. "You sure you don't mind?"

Beck shakes his head before shooting me a smirk. "Nah, we live in the same building. It's not a problem at all."

Dad turns to me with a hopeful expression on his face. "Are you good with that, honey?"

"Sure, it'll save you the trip." Even though I'm trying to play it cool, nerves tingle at the bottom of my gut.

As soon as the first word slips from my mouth, Beck is throwing open the door and jumping out of the truck. "Are your bags in the backseat?"

I nod as he opens the passenger side door and grabs my duffle bag before walking around to the back of his vehicle.

Once he slams the door, he turns to me. "Ready to go?"

I blink in surprise. "Um, yeah."

Dad closes the distance between us and draws me in for a hug. "I'll text you tomorrow and let you know what's going on with the Jeep, and then we'll figure out how to get it to you." "Let me know when it's ready, Mr. Stanbury. I can drive Mia home."

"Thanks." Dad reaches out to shake Beck's hand. "I appreciate all your help."

"Sure thing." Beck sends a wink my way. "That's what neighbors are for, right?"

"Yeah." Dad stares at us as if realizing something is different about our interaction and isn't sure what to make of it. "All right, drive safe."

With our goodbyes out of the way, Beck walks around to the passenger side and holds the door open.

I raise my brows. "My goodness, quite the gentleman."

His lips quirk with humor. "This is me attempting to sweep you off your feet with impeccable manners." He presses a quick kiss against my lips. "Is it working?"

I shoot a cautious look at my dad to see if he noticed the affectionate gesture. Thankfully, he's already on the phone with the tow company. Beck grins, seeming to know what I was thinking before securing me inside the truck.

I might be willing to give Beck a shot, but that doesn't mean I'm anywhere near ready to share that news with my parents.

With a smile on his face, Beck settles next to me. My mind spins as he turns the key and starts the engine before pulling the truck into gear.

"Wave to your dad, sweet pea. He looks concerned about your welfare."

I force my hand to rise as we pull out of the circular drive.

Beck is right. Dad is standing with his hands planted on his hips, frowning as the truck drives away. I have no idea what his reaction would be if he knew I was getting serious with our neighbor.

Although my guess is that he wouldn't be pleased.

As a child, Beck was hell on wheels. Constantly challenging authority and pushing the limits until someone snapped. His youth is dotted with rash indiscretions. That behavior continued well into high school. Has he settled down over the years?

Grown and matured into the kind of guy I can trust with my heart?

That remains to be seen. It would be impossible to ignore all of my reservations, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

Last night, while dancing with Ari, I realized that I've been running from Beck because he scares me. My feelings for him scare me. They've never wavered, only intensified, and that scares me more than anything. Those thoughts swirl through my mind as the highway stretches out in front of us, and the city grows more distant in the rearview mirror.

Beck glances at me before reaching out and snagging my fingers with his larger ones, giving them a gentle squeeze before dragging them to rest on his thigh. "I won't hurt you again, Mia. I promise."

I glance at him, surprised he's able to read me so easily.

Does that scare me even more?

You bet your damn a*s it does.