Read Jolted (Conflicted Encounters #1) for Free Online

The night before, he seemed more open and fun. Today, it’s as though he never met me.
    "Car broke down," Scarlett says to him.
    He nodded at her and made his way over to my car that two guys were pushing into the garage. He said nothing to me, or anyone else, as he popped the hood and looked at the engine. After tinkering with a few things, he came over to us.
    "Looks like you blew the head," he stated bluntly.
    "Excuse me?" I asked, having no idea what that meant and thinking that sounded slightly perverted.
    He rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. "The cylinder head, a vital part of the engine, is broken. It busted, sprayed oil, and probably metal shavings, all throughout the motor. It needs to be replaced."
    "Fantastic," I moaned out. This was exactly what I needed today. Hey, Mom and Dad, I've been in a strange town with a strange man. Oh and that car you always wanted me to get rid of? Well, it blew up. Oh by the way, I still haven't enrolled in my graduate courses. "How much?" I asked with my eyes closed.
    "A lot. And these are not easy to find on an older foreign car," he said, walking into a little office with a window looking out into the garage.
    I paced the garage while I waited for him to return. I never took the car into a shop, so I had no idea what to do next. Was I supposed to leave now or did I sit and wait for the car to be fixed? Scarlett followed him to the office and was talking to him with lots of arm gestures. Both looked out the window to glance at me every now and then.
    Finally, he reappeared with a few of sheets of paper. Scarlett followed close behind him, seeming smaller now that she was next to his tall and built body. I let myself remember that I had her there with me. In a place where I was just alone as I was back home, I felt like I had a least one person on my side. I would take what I could get today.
    "Here is the damage. This is just an estimate. It's gonna take a few weeks to get the parts. Sign here and we can get you scheduled," he said, pointing to a line on the last page.
    My eyes bugged out at the total. "Is my car even worth this much?"  
    "To some," he deadpanned.  
    "A few weeks?" I screeched. "How much to get this done right away? I cannot wait that long. Absolutely not."
    "Look, sweetheart," he stepped closer to me, invading my personal space. "Your money is just as good as anyone else's here. We have other customers in front of you. Customers that deserve their vehicles just as much, if not more, than you, Princess. Your car is a fancy foreign car and the parts are not easy to find or quick to get. So, you will wait your turn."
    I stepped back, shocked by his rudeness. I saw Scarlett's tiny hand come up to his shoulder. His eyes were dark and boring into mine from above. He looked angry and disgusted with me. I should have been on my way home so he would never have to deal with me again. Was this really the guy that I played darts with? The guy who gave me water and pain pills when I was sick?  
    "Excuse me, please. I need a minute," I said, turning on my heels and taking off, out of the garage. I walked across the parking lot and across the street without looking both ways. I saw a wooden bench with flower pots of pansies on each side. It looked like the perfect place to rest and collect my thoughts.  
    I had the several thousand in the bank needed to pay for the repair. That was not the big issue. The idea that I was going to need to call home and confess what I was doing was tearing me apart. I played with the charms on my bracelet and struggled to catch my breath. I didn't know if I could handle my family right now. Certain things were expected of me, and finding a way to cope with the death of Carter and a huge piece of myself was not one of them.  
    Ryder casually watched me from across the street. His arms were folded over his chest as he leaned against the wall of the building next door to the shop. His sister glided across the street to me. Although she wasn't