Shifting Gears Quotes

“In her remorse, she was also willing to admit that she was sad for another reason. She no longer had a reason to see or spend time with Wesley. She would lose her dream house to him and him to the house. It seemed almost tragic how everything had panned out and it made her consider more strongly than she had before that maybe it was a sign that she should take Jerry back. She’d lost her dream and was realizing quickly that in the end that’s all it had ever been and maybe it was time that she finally woke up.”
― Shawn Kirsten Maravel, Shifting Gears

“For the first stretch of road Olivia’s eyes were sealed shut, her breath held hostage in her lungs.

“You might want to open your eyes,” Wesley called back knowingly, his muffled voice breaking through both of their helmets. “And don’t forget to breathe.”
― Shawn Kirsten Maravel, Shifting Gears

“Do you have the hots for this boy?” her father asked in all seriousness. “Do we need to have him over for dinner so that I can show him my own gun collection?”

“Dad.”

“Threatening the police isn’t one of your best ideas, Frank,” her mother offered in Olivia’s defense.

“He’s not the police, Katy. He’s some hormone driven boy who wants to sweet-talk our daughter into bed so that he can fire off a few rounds of his own.”

“Dad!” Olivia’s face grew hot with humiliation.

“I’m just speaking the truth, honey. He’s a man. Don’t think he’s never considered it. You’re a beautiful young woman. All I’m saying is that I’d like to send him a little message before he gets any ideas.”

Olivia melted into her seat, covering her face with her hands.

“Frank, we’re eating.”

“Yeah, and?”
― Shawn Kirsten Maravel, Shifting Gears

“Angling to look out of the window over the sink, Olivia tried to train her face into looking as unfazed by the conversation as possible. “And besides,” she said turning back around. “I—”

With a gasp, she found herself pinned between the counter and Wesley’s firm chest. He placed his arms on the counter to either side of her and let a moment of silence pass between them, highlighting her vulnerability as she waited to hear what this was all about.
His proximity was threatening. His body a force of nature that boxed her in so tightly that she felt instantly helpless.

“It’s just you and me here,” he said in a voice that was deep and menacing. “No one would ever know if I was to take you back into the bedroom, the living room, right here in fact. How could you possibly know how safe you were with a man you only just met?”

With his body still pressed to hers, Wesley exuded an animalistic hunger that Olivia was beginning to fear on a very real level.

“Please, I—” panic was coursing through her as if it were alive inside of her and she realized that if he meant her harm, she was helpless to stop him.”
― Shawn Kirsten Maravel, Shifting Gears

“Wesley took a swig of his beer, hoping that maybe the pause might give him time enough to sort out his thoughts. “Well, I never really changed my mind,” he said smoothly. “I never said no.”

“I guess I just figured it was implied.”
“And why is that?”

“I’m pretty sure you’re way out of my league.”

Wesley laughed. “I highly doubt that. I don’t even know what league I’m in.”

“Well that’s just it. You’re kind of in a league of your own. Your friends; they’re both pretty flirtatious. They openly flirt with all of the waitresses but you’re this serious, focused, badass that doesn’t say more than he has to.”

“Wow.” Wesley laughed. “I sound like an asshole.”
― Shawn Kirsten Maravel, Shifting Gears