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I breathed in the smell of leather and the lingering grease. That night with Jake had been magical, the rain a steady and comforting rhythm overhead as we’d explored each other safely inside.
This barn, the car, and Jake would always be a great memory. One I could hold on to forever, whether I had the vehicle or not. It was hard to separate memories from things, but I’d need to if I wanted to clear the space for something new.
The idea of restoring the muscle car was tempting. The story behind my grandfather getting the car was unique. It would make for an amazing story for the bridal couple and the guests.
Motivated to find something to back up the story, I closed the barn and went to the main house. The boxes were still stacked in the living room. I went through them one by one, looking for more pictures of my grandparents. When I finally opened a box of photographs, I took them out and lined them up on the wood floor.
There were ones of just my grandparents together, but there were a few with the car behind them. It was clear, looking at their pictures, the car was an important piece of their history. My grandmother had noticed the unique color and vehicle before her eyes rested on my grandfather.
I closed my eyes, envisioning what that must have been like. The excitement and anticipation of meeting someone for the first time, wondering if that person was your future. I let the love flow through me.
I couldn’t help but wonder if this thing with Jake was similar. Was he my future, or was he just a pit stop along the way? How did anyone know the answer? Was it a feeling you got inside?
I never wanted to talk to my grandmother more. I needed her advice and wisdom. My parents wouldn’t be any help in this situation. They would tell me I was being reckless and foolish. That no one would want a barn wedding. It would ruin my grandparents’ memory, not memorializing their love, but cheapening it.
I knew what they’d say, so why did I continue to subject myself to it? I was right to distance myself from them. I just wasn’t so sure I was doing the right thing with Jake.
Eighteen
JAKE
The town streets gave way to open country roads as I took the now-familiar route to Lily’s farm. I maneuvered the curves with ease on my motorcycle, but my stomach was tight. I hadn’t brought up the GTO with her because I wanted it. I couldn’t reconcile that with what she needed. I didn’t feel right offering an opinion on what to do when I wanted the GTO in my personal garage.
I could see it now, shined until it looked new, the engine roaring to life. It was special. Only so many of the gold ones had been released. All the GTOs were considered unique, but they’d still released the Tiger Gold as something extra for enthusiasts.
I couldn’t believe it was just sitting in her garage all this time under a tarp. She had no idea what she’d been storing. I didn’t want to take advantage of her. How could she know the gravity of her find when her grandfather had won the car in a contest at the shoe store? The idea was so crazy in this day and age, I almost couldn’t believe it. Yet when Lily relayed it to me, I believed she’d heard that story a billion times. As outlandish as it sounded, it was true.
It was one more reminder that Lily’s family had a valued history. She came from a loving family. Yeah, she had a mother with high expectations for her, but surely, that was better than her mother not being present.
That didn’t sit right with me because I’d seen the look in Lily’s eyes, the tense set of her shoulders when she’d described what her mother said to her. There was no question that she upset Lily. I didn’t like that either.
I breathed out a breath when I parked my bike in front of the house. As usual, Lily was waiting for me on the porch.
I loved it more than she could ever know. I’d never had anyone wait for me to get home, much less sit on the porch. It healed something deep inside me, something that had longed for love and attention.
Lily gave me that, and I was a selfish bastard for taking what she had to offer and giving her nothing in return. Maybe I could help her with the GTO, and anything owed to her would be paid in full.
I swung my leg over the motorcycle, balancing my black helmet on the seat.
I met her on the steps; she was a few above me, which put us at eye level. She smiled brightly and, as usual, hopped into my arms. Her hands wound around my neck, her fingers playing with the hair on my neck as I held her tight.
Christ. I’d never get enough of this. She wrapped herself around me in more ways than one. Feeling guilty for my one-way thoughts, I said, “I want to take you upstairs.”
She eased back to look me in the eye. “So do it.”
My cock hardened from her words and the press of her core against me. I groaned at the internal battle raging. “You wanted me to take a look at the GTO.”
“We could do that later,” she purred into my ear.
She was a seductress without even trying.
I let her slide down my body, my hands on her hips, steadying her. “Don’t you need to get moving on the barn renovations?”
Her nose scrunched adorably. “Gia stopped by today, and she said we need to find a place for the car. You know, somewhere besides the barn.”
“She have any suggestions?” I held my breath, not wanting to interfere, yet at the same time knowing I could help her.
Lily’s hand curled around my elbow as she walked toward the barn illuminated by the moon. “She thinks we could use it on the farm for the bride and groom to leave for their honeymoon. It would look pretty as a getaway car.”
