Page 37

But then, a flash of my moms beat up Chevy plays in my mind. Always making a noise, or the tires always needing air in it. It was the only vehicle she could get with what little money we had after my dad did what he did.

I walk forward and place the keys out for him to grab.

“I can’t.” I say.

His eyebrows wrinkle. “Why not?”

I didn’t want to give him any details or any kind of insight on what goes on behind our closed doors. He left and walked out on us, so he doesn’t deserve to know.

“It’s just too much.” I reply back.

“Raven. I want you to have it.” he says again, holding the keys out.

I couldn’t.

I just shake my head no. “Listen. I get your trying to do the “right thing” but, I am okay. I’ve been without, and I have legs.”

He searches my eyes as he clenches the keys in his hand.

He stared into my eyes for a few beats before he nodded his head.

“Okay, fine. How about this.” he grabs my hand this time and turns it to have my palms facing up. “You just use it while you’re here. It’s not “yours”. It’s just to get you around while your in a different state. Also, if you need something for Ryan and I’m at work or something.”

I knew what he was doing, and forgive me, but I couldn’t help but do it.

It was just temporary, I thought in my head.

“Okay. Fine.” I say and hold the keys.

He grins and tries to make it seem like he wasn’t.

“Thank you.” I whisper as I turn towards the beauty that’s taunting me.

She was stunning. Slick and shiny red. The epitome of sensual and radiant.

“Of course. You’re still my baby girl.” he says as he pats the hood of the car.

I glance up at him to see him looking happy as ever.

“Well, I should get going before the bookstore closes.” I say, trying to get out of this situation now because if I went too deep, I would start crying and ruin my mascara.

“Okay. Be safe. Gas is filled up. If you need something, just call me.” he says before he walks closer to me.

He looks like he wants to give me a hug, but I’m guessing by the expression on my face, he realizes that was not where we were at.

Instead, he puts his hand up in a fist.

A fist bump, I can do .

I bump his before turning and sliding into the vehicle.

My back and ass purr in comfort and I breathe in to soak in the car smell. Clearly, it was an older car, but it still had that new car smell to it.

A door closes, and I look up to see I was alone now, and the garage door is now open.

My lips turn up until I’m smiling.

I clench the steering wheel as I adjust the mirror.