Page 28 of Under Rusted Stars

“Yeah,” I say.

“We are going to the diner to get a message to Marcy through Daisy,” Bodhi says.

“Oh, that’s a good idea,” he says. “Wait… We don’t trust Jeramy?”

“No,” I say. Bodhi explains everything that I told him, and Rhett looks shaken.

“Jesus, Liv. This is serious.”

“Yeah,” I say. “So I need to do something… They’re hoping I just go to jail to avoid getting hurt, but I am not going to jail.”

“What about Dad?” Rhett asks.

“Honestly,” I say. “I love your dad, but for his safety, it might be best to just talk to Marcy first.”

“Yeah. I think he’d understand that, too. He’s got Jeramy breathing down his neck right now, so it would be risky.” Rhett says. “I don’t really like Jeramy. Not after how accusatory he was with you.”

“And he said the shit about deciding if my pride or safety was worth more to me,” I say. “I’ve never gotten a good vibe from him.”

I am mostly silent for the remainder of the drive and once we get seated at the diner. We order milkshakes as normal, but Daisy is looking at us like we are crazy for grabbing menus. “Anything else, guys?” she asks us.

“Nope. Thanks, Daisy,” Bodhi says, setting our menus on her tray.

She nods and just walks away to go behind the counter. As she is sorting the menus back out, she stops for a second, but then continues what she is doing. A few minutes later, she goes to the back right table and starts chatting with an absolutely gorgeous woman. She is thin and just… not me. That is instantly like a gut punch, because why the fuck was he over there jerking off to me and not her?

Unless…

What if it’s Bodhi?

What if this whole façade is for show, and he works for Miguel? I know it’s not logical, but now it’s in my head. I don’t understand why the fuck he wants me. But it’s not like he can have me because what if I do have herpes? I should tell him before we ever even get there. If, big if, because this woman is fucking stunning.

“She’s clingy and absolutely nuts if she feels rejected,” Bodhi whispers in my ear, and Rhett laughs. “She once tied me to a bed and sobbed for an hour because I didn’t want to date.”

“Where is that coming from?” I ask.

“The moment you look at her, you start looking sad,” he says quietly.

“At least you admit there is a difference,” I mutter, but squeak when he suddenly grabs my chin and makes me look at him.

“You are insanely gorgeous, Olivia. I don’t ever want to hear you imply any different," he says firmly.

“Or what?” I ask, and Rhett barks out a laugh.

“Liv, are you a brat?” Rhett asks, almost giggling.

“Me?” I ask. “I don’t think so.”

“Pretty girl, I will bend you over my knee and spank your ass bright red if I ever hear you degrade my girl like that again,” he says firmly.

“Your girl, huh?” I ask, and a wicked grin spreads across his face.

“Yeah. My girl,” he confirms. “You’re mine, Liv, and you are everything I want.”

“Do you think she’s pretty?” I ask.

“Son, if you answer that, I’ll hit you,” Daisy says as she lays our check down. Bodhi pulls out cash and hands it to her as we get up. “You kids have a good night.”

“You too, Daisy,” Rhett says.