Body Heat by Brenda Novak Page A

to arrest him for driving under the influence. If he’d been at a party, there was no way he’d been drinking soda.
    â€œWhat did you want with Rafe?” he asked.
    â€œJust checking in, seeing how the week’s going for him.” She didn’t usually lie, and already she’d lied twice. But now that she was out of Naco, she didn’t really want to explain that she’d turned to him in her hour of need, so to speak. He’d take that to mean more than it did.
    â€œHe’s fine. At some camp with a friend. Won’t be back for four days.”
    Some camp? He didn’t know which one? This was part of her problem with Starkey. He was a loving father but he didn’t pay much attention to the kind of details most parents considered important. “Which friend?” Did he know that much?
    â€œChase LaBreque.”
    Sophia had heard Rafe talk about Chase and wasn’t so sure he was the best influence. But Rafe was being raised by a Hells Angel, so if she was worried about any example, it should be that one. Regardless, she had no right to complain. She was lucky Starkey allowed her to be involved with Rafe. He wasn’t pleased that she’d gone into law enforcement, felt it put him at risk just to associate with her. The others in the club were obviously unhappy that she was part of his life. They, too, would’ve preferred Leonard Taylor to be chief of police. Leonard was one of the good ol’ boys who turned a blind eye to certain activities Sophia was unwilling to ignore.
    â€œHave him get in touch with me when he gets back, will you?” she said.
    â€œYeah. Sure.”
    â€œThanks.” She started to close the door, but he stopped it with one of his giant paws. “Hey, wait! Guess who I saw?”
    Not particularly interested, she covered a yawn. “Who?”
    â€œRoderick Guerrero. You remember him, don’t ya?”
    Of course she did. She immediately recalled the café au lait skin and dark eyes of the boy she knew in high school. They’d been in the same grade growing up. But when it came to girls, he’d always kept to himself, andshe’d been more than happy to let him. He’d approached life with a belligerence that made her uncomfortable, frequently getting into fights.
    But he’d surprised her once. It was during their sophomore year, his last year in school. Despite having a minimal relationship—she’d been in one class with him and knew he watched her a great deal—he’d asked if she’d go to the Homecoming Dance with him. He didn’t generally attend school dances. For one thing, he couldn’t afford it. And he didn’t go that year, either. She agreed to go, then stood him up when she got a better offer and, thanks to one particular girlfriend of hers, word of that spread all over the school.
    Sophia was still embarrassed about the fact that she hadn’t even tried to contact him and that she’d humiliated him so publicly. She’d never apologized or offered any explanation, either. She’d been young and stupid and hadn’t known how to approach it. But she’d never forget the way he looked at her when he saw her at school after that weekend. She’d thought he was too tough, too mean, to be hurt. That was what she’d told herself when she ditched him. But as soon as their eyes met, she knew she’d hurt him deeply….
    Those weren’t comfortable memories. Kids could be callous, and she’d been no different. Which was why she preferred to forget. But she was too curious about what Roderick might be like now to just let the subject go. “Seriously? It was Roderick? You’re sure?”
    â€œPositive. Spotted him coming out of Bailey’s Breakfast Dive and pulled over to say hello.”
    â€œI didn’t realize you even knew him. He’s my age.”
    â€œHe had an uncle who was a few years older—Arturo.I hung out