Her eyes widened.

"Kidding." I grinned.

With a scowl, she kept walking away from me.

"Wait!" I called after her. "Aren't you riding with me to Seaside?"

She pointed at the truck, made a cutting motion with her hand across her neck, and then shook her head no.

"But what are you riding in then?"

Her hand shot into the air, pressing a button on the key ring that lit up a brand new, black Jeep Cherokee.

"Yours?"

She nodded and got into the driver's seat.

"See you at Seasi—"

The door slammed, cutting off the rest of the word.

Never had I seen a car peel away so fast. Yeah, something told me she wasn't going to be trying to seduce me or sell my stuff online. If anything, I was going to need to watch my back, just in case she switched my sugar and salt containers and flashed my number on Twitter or something.

Not the best start to our relationship.

Then again, our relationship was only going to last as long as filming. Three months, and I'd be, hopefully, a semi-non-traumatic memory she could stuff away.

Three months without actual conversation.

Great.

CHAPTER FIVE

Dani

IT WASN'T EVERY MORNING THAT I talked to my dad; I hadn't actually spoken to his voicemail in a few weeks. This morning I'd expected my voice to be gravelly, like one of those Truth commercials with the smokers, warning kids against the perils of tobacco, instead it was just as I remembered it. Light, airy. I choked back the sobs building in my throat as memories surfaced.

"Who's my favorite little girl?" My dad twirled me in his arms. I tried to fight him, but I was dwarfed by his size. He'd always been such a big man, while I was barely above five four.

"Dad!" I laughed as he continued twirling me until I was dizzy. "I'm sixteen! Stop!"

"Aw…" He stopped, placing me on my feet. "You'll always be my little girl, Dani. You know that, right?"

I rolled my eyes. "Dad, I know."

"You're beautiful." He sighed. "And remember, I'm the only one that can say that to you. If some young boy invites you into his car using pretty words, he's only after one thing."

"My flower," I said in a deadpan voice. "Message heard loud and clear. Oh also, if you could stop cleaning your gun out front and talking about your connections with the Italian mafia whenever Elliot comes around, that would be great."

"What?" He shrugged innocently. "We're Italian."

"Ah, actually half-Hispanic…" I patted his cheek. "… but nice try."

"Mexican mafia." He snapped his fingers. "That would sound more convincing."

"You look more white than Mom, and she's actually white," I pointed out. "Therefore, probably not."

He frowned. "I'll think of something."

"Please don't." I laughed, gripping his shoulders. "You've raised a good girl, you know that. The last thing I want is to end up pregnant. I mean, I'm at the top of the pyramid, Dad. Pregnant girls can't fly."

He patted my cheek. "Neither can pigs, yet they do."

"No, they don't."

He grinned.

I rolled my eyes. "Alright, good talk as always, Dad."

"Hey…" He grabbed my hand and kissed it. "… I only threaten because I care. I love you, snuggle bug. You're my youngest."

"And some may argue brightest," I added.

"Shhh, don't tell Pris." He winked and patted my cheek again. "Just be careful. Make good choices. And if he takes off his pants, use the Taser."

"What if his pants are on fire?"

"Always Taser first — ask questions later. That's like Girl Scouts 101, sweetheart."

"You got fired as den mother."

He gasped and clutched his heart. "You were sworn to secrecy! Don't tell Mom. She still thinks it was because I was too busy counseling at church."

I made a zipping motion with my lips. "I'll take it to my grave."

"I knew I raised you right."

"Says the man who's asking me to lie."

"Omit." He nodded encouragingly. "Big difference, cuddle bug."

"Night, Dad." I opened the screen door and slammed it behind me.

"Say no to drugs!" he yelled out.

Elliot's car window was open, and he yelled back, "Only hugs!"

"No hugs either!" Dad called. "Hugs lead to sex!"

"Just like dancing!" Elliot agreed. "Good talk, Mr. Garcia!"

"Dani!" Dad called. "I like him better than the last one."

"What happened to the last one?" Elliot just had to ask.

"Buried him out back…wanna see?" Dad grinned. "You two have fun at prom now!"

I pulled over on the side of the freeway and wiped the tears from my eyes. I was usually so good at keeping them tucked away, but the fight with Lincoln had drained me emotionally.

I just wanted to talk to my dad.

He'd always been my go-to parent. Not that I hadn't loved my mom, but my dad and I had just… got each other. We'd had similar outlooks on life. He'd been hilarious and had done everything one-hundred percent. There'd never been hesitation in any area of his life. Whatever he did, he did well. It was the perfect example for a young girl. Don't try to be good at everything, don't spread yourself so thin that you accomplish nothing; rather, pick a few things and do them well. Excel in those areas and you'll excel in life.