Laurence was spying on the guards as Connor approached the Jeep. He walked up to the passenger door, nodding for Laurence to unlock the door.
“Scoot over,” Connor instructed.
Laurence bit down on his lip and nervously glanced at the driver's seat. “There’s a lot of equipment in here. What if I crash and break it?”
“Do you think this is a place that can’t afford to replace equipment?” Connor asked. He was trying to ease Laurence’s nerves, but the attempted reassurance came out more condescending. “You’ll be fine, Laurence.” Connor adjusted his tone to be more gentle. “Worst comes to worst, I can lift the hand break.”
“Ben doesn’t mind that we’re using his Jeep?”
“He couldn’t care less,” Connor confirmed. Laurence continued to fidget in place. Connor knew he was being pushy, and he knew why. Laurence seemed eager to get to know Connor, and Connor couldn't deny the pleasant feeling of being the centre of someone’s attention for a change. He was all too familiar with being shoved aside and forgotten about unless he was causing mischief.
Connor wanted Laurence to like him.
“Let’s leave it,” Connor said. “No need to force yourself if you’re not up for it.”
Laurence’s face fell. “I am up for it. I just…are you sure this won’t get you into trouble?”
Connor's gaze lingered on Laurence for a moment before turning away with a flick of his eyes. “I said it’s fine. Scoot over. We can do some doughnuts if you get the hang of things quickly.”
“I can’t do that with those two watching me…” Laurence said. But he smiled and moved into the driver’s seat. Before Connor was in the Jeep, Laurence stalled out.
Connor whistled in appreciation at the grinding of the clutch and the sputtering of the engine. “You didn’t tell me how talented you were.”
“Don’t be mean!” Laurence said, mortified. His cheeks and ears flushed a deep red. As Connor leaned back in his seat, he bit his lip to keep from laughing.
“Put it into neutral first, then start the engine,” Connor explained. And prompted by Laurence’s blank look, he then explained where the clutch was and how to put it into neutral. Laurence successfully started the engine.
He beamed at Connor as if he’d struck gold.
Chapter Seven
Connor and Laurence drove around the parking lot, the heat of the evening sun beating down on the car.
“It’s not as scary anymore,” Laurence said. “Or hard.”
“It’ll be even easier next time,” Connor said. Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. His mom’s car sat at the checkpoint, and Liam walked toward them.
“Will surfing be like this?” Laurence asked, not noticing that their lift was there.
“Surfing is harder. Can you pull up in front of the lab?” Connor asked. “I need to grab my things.”
“Okay. Oh, is—uh—can you tell me what’s happening? I have to focus.” Laurence needed to focus on driving through a giant, empty parking lot with literally nothing he could hit. Connor fought to repress another grin. He’d fought smiles all afternoon.
“Mom’s there. And there’s a very scary, angry-looking guard marching toward us.”
“He’s angry?”
“He looks furious. He’s got the baton out.”
Laurence whimpered, and his head whipped up to see that the guard’s hands were empty. “That’s not funny.” Laurence glared at Connor. “He actuallyisscary.”
“I think it’s more that you’re timid.”
“I’m not timid.” Laurence shot Connor a smug, self-satisfied glance. “I wouldn’t be able to drive if I was timid.”
“Not sure I’d call this driving.”
Laurence pouted. “I’m learning. I’ll be out on the road soon enough.” The pout transformed into a private little smile. Connor noted it; Laurence didn’t mind a little teasing. He parked in front of the lab.
