It doesn’t take him long to get everything hooked up.
“Did you want to wait where it’s warm?” He leans against the side near my door. “I can keep an eye on things here.” His arm sweeps down his body. “I’m dressed to be outside.”
“Are you judging my sexy thin coat?” Okay, I am actually freezing.
But now I’m stubborn enough to refuse.
His grin grows. “I’m not complaining.”
“I can make some hot coffee as a thank you?” And it would be a good excuse for me to go back inside and warm up.
“I’m good. Char made me hot chocolate and I still have some left.” He gestures towards his pickup.
Why does a twinge of jealousy pluck at the back of my neck?
I shouldn’t be. I know that Char and Dixon are very firmly together.
Fuck. What is wrong with me? I can’t have it both ways.
Being with Sawyer is a mistake.
Walking away from him is impossible.
The real question is how much longer will he let me string him along?
“I think you can try it,” he says after a few moments.
With frozen fingers, I crank the engine, holding my breath.
And it fires right up.
My exhale erupts in a fog of steam in front of my face.
“Thank you.” Now I can head to Missoula.
“Val?” His voice sounds pinched. “Are you sure you want to take this? I can drive you—”
“I got it,” I say over him.
His jaw tics as he looks away. “I just want to make sure you’re safe,” he mutters quietly. “You can take my truck instead? It might not look that fancy, but it runs really good.”
I want him to go with me.
It’s so hard missing him when I’m the one keeping him away.
Why am I torturing myself?
“You’re so sweet, little boy. I’ll be fine.”
I hate that I put that sour look on his face.
His forehead furrows as he pushes himself away from the bumper.
Pulling away the jumper cables, he tosses them into the bed of his Tacoma, then drops my hood with a heavy slam.
“Is it so wrong I fucking care enough about you I don’t want you stuck on the side of the road?” he grumbles. “I’d rather walk home knowing you’re at least safe.”
His fingers open and close at his thighs as he stares past me.
