Page 55 of Drive Me Crazy

"Even I don't believe that." Rumor snickers. "Uncle Ridge is trouble."

Harper bellows. "Preach!"

"Hey, now. Y'all are gonna have to walk if you keep that mess up." I shake my head as the car fills with giggles from behind me. "Should I be worried about what you two are laughing about?"

"Maybe!" Rumor snorts.

I flip my signal light on, turning into her school drive. We come to a stop in front of the doors, and I think I hear them sigh. "Alrighty, Boo. Let's get you inside."

"I really don't have to go; we could tell Momma we overslept." She shrugs.

"I think we wore that out years ago and she's right, you gotta go to school." I push open the door, grabbing the seat for her.

Harper watches as she unbuckles and slides to the edge. Rumor turns, smiling as she waves. "It was nice to finally meet you; I hope I get to see you again soon."

"I-um I'll be right back." I shut the door, hitting the key fob as though no one is in there. Safety in everything we do, it's always foremost. But the perturb look on Harper's face is classic.

Taking Rumor by the hand, I hurry her inside and sign her in with my feeble excuse. As always, I'm meet with smiles and acceptance.

I jog back to my car, checking for any sign of Weston before jumping back behind the wheel. Harper has her head leaning against the back of the seat.

"You doin' Alright?" I chew the inside of my cheek, waiting with bated breath for her answer.

She nods, not meeting my eyes. "I am and for the record, I've never doubted that you could take care of me."

There it is, my chance to tell her everything I've held deep and harbored my ill conception of myself for so long. But I can't bring myself to do it.

I don't want her to think of me any other way than how she feels about me right now. Selfish? Probably, but he's stolen years from me, and I plan to take everything I can get right now.

"Good, because I plan to do just that." I start the car, pulling out to head back home. "How about a quick whirl around town?"

She leans forward and I feel her warm breath on the back of my neck. "Do you think it'd be okay?"

"As good as it was when we were sixteen and buzzing on strawberry wine." I bite my lip as memories of her hair blowing in the wind and rosy colored cheeks spring to mind.

"Oh, man. Strawberry wine and cruisin'! It didn't get any better than that." She sighs heavily.

I come to a stop at the intersection. "Well, that's just shitty."

"What is?" She frowns as I peer at her in the mirror.

"That life got no better," I wink. "but we can change that together."

She leans forward, resting her chin on my seat. "What'cha got in mind?"

I turn my head, meeting her face to face. Our mouths are inches apart and all I can think about is taking them and marking her as mine. Her lips part as she exhales, and I'm swallowed whole.

"Everything, Harper." Her nostrils flare, mimicking my racing pulse. "But let's start with the basics and head downtown."

Her brow rises. "Tease."

"Oh, but when the time’s right, I'm gonna damn well please." I shift in my seat... for more reasons than one and release the brake. I fight to control my breathing; my entire chest is tingling and all I can think of is making her fall in love with me- forever.

"So, how long do you plan to do this?" She huffs, sitting back in her seat.

"Do what?"

She releases a heavy breath; I can't tell if it's her letting her guard down and relaxing or she's frustrated. "Drive me crazy?"