Center Courtship by Liza Brown Page A

Little José had other ideas,” I said as I pointed to my truck.
    Elsu looked at my truck and his jaw hung open. “
That
belongs to
you
?” He rushed to my truck and walked around it in awe. “What is this, a 71?”
    â€œWow, umm yeah. It is.”
    He looked at the tailgate and smiled. “Why did you name it Little José?”
    I walked to the truck. “He came with the name,” I said. “I didn’t have the heart to change it.”
    Elsu walked to the driver side door and opened it. Everything inside was original. The seats were covered with a woven store-bought cover and the steering wheel was worn down from years of handling. “Does he drive?”
    â€œOh, he drives, alright,” I raised the hood and Elsu’s eyes glazed over in wonder at the chrome. “Everything under the hood and underneath is new.”
    â€œWow that must have cost a fortune!”
    â€œI have connections for parts, and I did the work myself.”
    â€œElsu, honey,” the saccharine rolled out of Saraya’s brightred lips like acid. “It’s time to go, we’ll be late.”
    â€œHold on,” said Elsu as he continued to walk around the truck. “Did you see this thing, Saraya? Ain’t she a beaut?”
    â€œHe,” I said. “He doesn’t like to be called ‘she’.” Actually, I didn’t like him being called ‘she’.
    â€œReally? It’s a truck. It’s not a he or a she. It’s a stupid truck!” Saraya put a hand on her hip and started tapping her foot in frustration.
    â€œStop being rude, baby. You know I love old cars.” He looked at me, “I should have shown you my bedroom.”
    â€œREALLY?!” yelled Saraya and she stomped off to one of the SUVs.
    I raised my eyebrows surprised. “What?”
    â€œI mean, I have a whole display of model classic cars in there. I’ll have to bring them out when you come back.”
    â€œWhen I come back?”
    â€œYeah, you’ll bring Brandon and Mitchell, right?” He seemed concerned that I wouldn’t be returning.
    â€œI was thinking my brother and sister-in-law would be bringing them back.”
    â€œOh, yeah…right. Well, you’re invited to come back too. I’ll show you my cars.”
    â€œI’ll see what I can do,” I said.
    A horn honked behind me and I turned to see a tow truck at the gate. I recognized the man in the cab immediately. “You have GOT to be kidding me,” I said, as I felt my blood begin to boil.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” asked Elsu.
    â€œThat’s my ex-boyfriend,” I said as I buried my head in my hand.

CHAPTER 3
    The gate opened and the truck pulled in. I knew there was no hiding because he knew Little José. He also knew I had once had a restraining order against him.
    I looked at Richard. “Are you ok?” he asked.
    â€œNo, I’m not. This could get ugly.”
    Bart stepped out of the cab of the tow truck and walked up to our group. “Who needs the gas?”
    â€œI do.” I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and fished out a twenty. I knew it was way over but I just wanted him gone.
    â€œSo Mae, still looking like a dyke, I see.”
    â€œStill being an ass, I see.”
    â€œWitty, Mae, witty. Twenty? I don’t think this will be enough. This is the high octane shit.”
    â€œI’m pretty sure I could call the police right now and get your ass arrested for standing here. So if I were you, I’d take what I could get and get the hell out of here.”
    â€œThat was over five years ago, honey. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t count anymore. Besides, I’m not interested in you anymore, you frigid bitch.”
    â€œJust because I wouldn’t put out, doesn’t make me a dyke, or frigid.” I air quoted my frustration at him.
    â€œYou’re going to be a virgin for the rest of your life,