Page 18 of Unexpected Prejudice

“Does your mom know?”

“No,” I was quick to say. “And she can’t know. I don’t want those people going near her… they already threatened to hurt her.”

“Shit, Jordy.”

Washed with shame, I looked down. The last thing I wanted was for Shay-Lee to pity me.

“I don’t need pity,” I said, immediately catching his attention.

“I’m not pitying you. I swear. But I do want to help. Why don’t I lend you the money?”

“What?” I raised my eyes from my hands and looked at him. “Why?”

“Because, as I said, we’re friends. I care about you.”

“It’s a lot of money, Shay-Lee. Like, a lot.” I knew I should have said no and ended the discussion, but I was at a dead end, and my mom’s safety was all I could think of now.

“Don’t worry. I have more than enough money.”

Exhaling deeply, I briefly envisioned what it would be like waking up in the morning without the weight of my father’s debt hanging over me. The thought of such relief made me nod.

“I’ll pay you off. I swear. Until the last dime.”

Shay-Lee’s lips curved into a smile as he grabbed my shoulder and, once again, set my whole body on fire. “Don’t worry about it for now. Okay? Will five grand be enough for starters?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Good. I’ll get the money to you tomorrow after school.”

I sighed in relief. “Thank you. Seriously. You just saved my life.”

“Glad I could help.” He lifted his hand from my shoulder, but not before moving it over my scalp. “By the way, I love your new hairstyle. You look hot.”

I swear to God, I was a moment away from having a heart attack. Did Shay-Lee Rogers just tell me I looked hot? I didn’t have time to answer because his phone rang, and the contact image that popped on his screen was of his beautiful girlfriend, Chloe, in a tiny bikini that did nothing to hide her top-model body and did everything to remind me he was straight.

“You’re not going to get that?” I asked, confused as the phone continued to ring when he didn’t pick up.

He shrugged. “Nah.”

“Won’t she be upset that you’re not answering?”

Why did I ask him that?

“Why do you care?” He chuckled.

“I don’t. I mean, I just…”

“You’ve never had a girlfriend before, right?”

The answer would be a big, fat no. I’d never had a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, for that matter. I’d never even dated. Sure, I hooked up with guys, but dated? Nah-ah.

“No,” I finally said.

“That’s surprising.” He moved his finger over his bottom lip. “Anyway, you better go, or you’ll be late to work.”

Oh. Work. Right. Totally forgot about that part.

“Yeah, I should.” I moved to get out and stopped with my hand on the handle. “Thanks for the ride and, well, everything else.”