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Rusty laughed. “Because, everyone knew it was where the next generation of kids being made, so parents made it a tourist attraction. You can watch wild deer from here, and birds. Kids don’t want to come anywhere where there is a risk of parents catching them, do they?”
“Clever,” she said.
“You ever come here when you were younger?” he asked.
“No. Not even once. I never had anyone to make out with. Kind of sad to just turn up with no one to share it with.”
Rusty took her hand. “You’ve got me.”
“Did you ever come here?”
“No.”
“Why? You dated a lot in high school.”
“I don’t need for people to see me making out with a girl. What I have with someone is always and will always be private.”
“And you’re willing to make out with me now?”
“Why not? No one else is here. We’re alone. I know you’re going through some stuff, and it scares you, and it’s okay to be scared.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is. I don’t expect you to tell me everything, but you don’t need to lie to me, baby. I’m not dumb.”
“I never thought you were dumb. I just don’t want you to worry.”
“When it comes to you, I think it’s a safe bet to say I’m going to worry.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Why did you run out of the diner?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“You do. It’s fine. If you can’t tell me, I can wait. This is your life as well, and I don’t want you to be hurt.”
He sat back, holding her hand, and she hated herself for being mean. What was wrong with telling him exactly how she felt?
“I don’t want you to worry because it’s really not that big of a deal.”
“If it’s a big deal to you, it’s a big deal to me. Talk to me.”
“My parents and everyone in the diner, I felt like they were all looking at me, expecting me to make a decision, and I can’t do that. I don’t want to do that.”
“A decision about what?”
“The future. Us. I … I don’t know where this is leading, and it scares me.”
“Do you want to know where I think this is leading?”
“No!” She nearly screamed the word.
He chuckled.
“Now I sound like the biggest bitch in the world.”
“No, you’re not. You couldn’t possibly be a bitch.”
“I can, and I am. Don’t try to make me out to be some kind of saint. I’m not, really.”
He chuckled. “You need to learn to stop worrying.”
“I can’t help it.”
“Look, I get it, okay. This town, being back here after a long break, it takes a lot to get used to. I’m not going to push you, Casey. You and me, we’re not in any kind of rush here.” He reached out, stroking her cheek. “We’re having some fun. How about we tell people that? Apart from your father; I think he would kill me if I said I was only having fun with his daughter.”
She chuckled. “You’d do that for me? Everyone knows you’re a nice guy.”
“Why don’t we tell your father you’re the one having fun with me?”
“My dad wouldn’t hurt you.”
“No, he wouldn’t, but that doesn’t mean he might not hunt me down and try to kill me.”
“Don’t make me laugh, please.”
“We can make this work, and it’s no one else’s business but ours. About what we do and how we do it.” He stroked her cheek. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.” She leaned back, resting her head against his shoulder.
“You know, I’m lucky to have you, right?”
“Of course you are. I’m a stud.”
She thought about the time they’d spent together. He liked to fuck, but he was also a perfect gentleman.
“Thank you, Rusty. You make me so happy.” And he really did. Spending time with him, she didn’t feel afraid as she had moments ago back at the diner. He grounded her in ways no one else ever had, but he also made her feel like she could do anything, be anything, and there were no rules or boundaries.
Could that be love?
She didn’t have the first clue, but at least, for now, she didn’t have to worry.
****
Since Casey’s little panic attack back at the diner, Rusty had been sure to keep his distance when it came to the relationship stuff. He hated that she felt so panicked and insecure, but he wasn’t going to add to her fears of their relationship by pushing her when he really didn’t want to.
Leaning into the latest car that needed service, he checked the fluids, cleaned up the necessary pipes, and made sure there were not any parts that would need changing soon because of them being old or worn.
Someone cleared his throat as he looked around the car to see Rome waiting.
“Hey,” Rome said. “I thought I’d catch you here. I haven’t seen your parents around for a few weeks.”
