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“I do. ” Rachel leans over and kisses my cheek. The sweet scent of jasmine and the ocean washes over me. On the open road, the rpms build, and like a perfectly synced machine, I step on the clutch right as Rachel shifts to Second.
The excitement is hard to contain, but it’s weird. I’ve never been eager to share news with anyone, and I want her to be excited along with me. The engine begins to strain, and in effortless coordination, she shifts to Third while I press the clutch.
A stirring in my heart overcomes the excitement for a second. Rachel is perfect for me. She never needs words because she understands my rhythm.
“I passed the ASE certification test,” I say, as if I’m telling her it’s Thursday.
Rachel doesn’t disappoint as she gasps. “Oh, Isaiah! That is amazing. No, fantastic. No. . . the best news ever. I knew you’d pass. We have to do something to celebrate! What, though? I don’t know. What do you want to do? Whatever it is, it has to be special. ”
Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at her. “I’m doing it. ”
A grimace stains her face. “What? Driving? You always drive. ”
How can she not see it? “I’m spending time with you. ”
Silence. Except for the purring of my engine. The floorboard barely vibrates beneath me, and I wonder if she also notices the sensation. I scratch the thought. I don’t have to wonder. Someone like her relishes the feel of a car’s every movement—just like me.
“I’m proud of you,” she says as simply as when I announced that I passed. My chest hurts as if she punched through a wall. Taking her hand off the stick shift, I kiss her knuckles again and keep her fingers pressed against my face until I have to place her hand back so she can shift down.
These feelings inside of me, I don’t understand them, but I do understand Rachel and I know she understands me. I want her in my life in a way no one else has ever been. When I can talk without my voice breaking, I say to her, “I’d like you to come somewhere with me. It’s not special, but I’d like you there. ”
Chapter 46
Rachel
AFTER SCHOOL ENDED, ISAIAH DROVE me back to the lot to get my car and then I followed him to the garage to leave it there. Once again in his car he circles a small park east of Tom’s garage. It’s not quite far east enough to hit my area of town, but far enough away from his area that I’m not terrified. Because of the cold, gray day, the park is relatively empty.
Empty except for the woman with blond hair standing next to a car several spots down from ours. From the moment we pulled in, she’s stared at Isaiah and me. Also in the park is a middle-aged woman with short, dark brown hair. From the bench nearest the swings, she subtly watches us. Isaiah fell into a heavy silence the moment he placed the car into Park.
“I don’t like being stared at,” I say quietly. Isaiah glances at me then to the two women.
“She’s my mom,” he says with a short gruffness. “The one next to the car is my social worker. ” His fingers tighten into fists as he rests the back of his head against his seat. “I asked to meet with my mom, but now I’m not sure I can. ”
“You’ll see her when you’re ready. ” Wrapping my fingers over his, he grasps my hand like I’m a life raft. I shouldn’t revel in this moment, but I do. He’s searching for strength, and I’m more than happy to provide it. In fact, doing so makes me feel stronger. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Isaiah shakes his head. “No. But thanks. . . for being here. ” In a swift movement, Isaiah leans over and kisses me. His mouth barely opens so he can tease my bottom lip. A move that causes my heart to stumble.
Before I can kiss him back, Isaiah breaks away. “Stay here. ”
Chapter 47
Isaiah
WITH HER LONG TAN COAT slapping against her knees, Courtney intercepts me before I step onto the grass. “I have a million questions, Isaiah. ”
I shove my hands into my jeans pockets. “I don’t know, I don’t care or none of your business. ”
“What?”
“Every possible answer to your millions of questions. ”
She smirks. “Very funny. ”
I wasn’t joking.
Courtney glances at my car with a smug expression. “Who’s that?”
“Answer number three. ”
