Page 5 of Chasing Callie

“Yup,” I say, biting back a smile as I grab a lemonade and a bag of chips. Larry’s gaze is far too focused on my tits as I place my things on the counter. What a dick. Pushing my sunglasses up, I lift an eyebrow. “Is this how you treat the tourists? No wonder everyone goes to Reggie’s Gas ’n Go.” It was too far in town for me though. Driving is absolutely hellish this time of year, and I would have wound up hitting empty in the middle of a traffic jam.

He rears back, narrows his eyes, and looks me over again. “Callie Mae?”

“The one and only. Are you going to ring me up or do you want to keep staring at my boobs?”

His eyebrows draw down. “I never liked you.”

“I guess the feeling’s mutual,” I drawl, tossing a pack of gum next to the chips. “But I’m a paying customer.” And it certainly looks like he needs the money.

He scoffs. “That’s a first.”

Blinking, I shrug. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Turns out, I’m a filthy fucking liar too. So maybe there’s a pattern of theft in my past, but I had good reason. One, Larry was always mean, and I considered petty theft payback. As far as stealing from Theo. . . well, that technically doesn’t count.

He glares at me and rings me up, tapping the buttons on his machine a little too hard. “Eight seventy-five.”

If you ask me, he’s a little old to be holding a grudge. I pull out my credit card and have to insert it since Larry hasn’t upgraded to the latest and greatest checkout technology. The silence between us is uncomfortable as we wait for the payment to process.

The words on the screen change, and I exhale, yanking my card out and grabbing for my things.

“Uh-uh. Not so fast, missy.” His hands slap over my items.

“I paid,” I say, scowling at him.

“It says your card was declined.” He lifts an eyebrow. “Try again.”

Declined? That’s weird. I just made a payment. I’ll check the app later. Taking out my next card, I repeat the payment process, carefully watching the screen. This one is declined as well. Frowning, I try my emergency credit card to check if the same thing happens.

DECLINED.

My face scrunches. “What the hell?” I rarely use this card. There shouldn’t even be a balance on it.

“If you can’t pay, you should go.”

“Relax, I’ll use my debit card.”

“If it’ll work,” he mutters.

I gesture to the window. “I used it to pay for the gas.”

He makes a noise and watches me with laser focus as I insert my card. Luckily, this one goes through.

“Does your mama know about your debt?”

“I don’t have debt,” I snap. “There’s a problem with the cards.” It’s probably Larry’s system. I tell myself, but unease still swims in my gut.

“Sure thing, sweetheart.” He pushes the snacks toward me. “Next time, use a different gas station.”

Arguing with the old grump is pointless. My gaze catches on a container of sour candies. Steal it for old times’ sake. My fingers twitch. I casually pick up my snacks, smile sweetly at Larry, and snatch the candies.

“Not so fast, you little shit!” He shoves a gun in my face.

I leap back. Damn my intrusive thoughts. “Larry!”

“Put the candies down, and no one gets hurt.”

“This is a little dramatic, don’t you think?” I edge toward the door. “I was going to pay for these too!”

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten all the times you and the Williams brothers stole from me!”