I blew out a deep breath. Quade had been adamant that I drive again. He’d gone online and purchased all of these disability adjustments for his car. He said I needed to be able to get around on my own. It wasn’t that I was afraid to drive, but I was nervous. What if I had a flare? What would people think about me hopping out of a car alone?
“I got the pedal extensions and steering knob installed already. All it needs now is you, sunshine.”
I hesitated, just for a second. Then I blew out a breath and nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“That’s my girl.” He connected something to the steering wheel and moved aside so I could get in. I transferred into the seat slowly. Quade folded my chair and slid it into the back before climbing onto the passenger side.
“Okay, how do I work this?” I asked as I settled in. My hand was running along the steering wheel.
“Oh, Lord. She don’t even know how to start the car,” Quade joked. “Push to start, baby.”
“Whatever.” I smirked as I eased out of the parking lot. I couldn’t stop the feeling that I was no longer a passenger in my life anymore, and it felt good.
“Where are you even taking me?” I asked.
“Make a left up there,” Quade said, ignoring my question. My driving lesson had been going on for nearly an hour, and we weren’t getting any closer to his house. “Just keep straight after the left.” He pointed to the road. I rolled my eyes and continued driving.
“You kidnapping me or something?” I teased.
“Keep straight after the turn,” he said, grinning as he pointed to the road ahead. I rolled my eyes, but this felt good, sitting in the driver’s seat, hands on the wheel, windows cracked, wind teasing my tiny curls.
“Up next: We got that brand-new YFN Money and Quae Lo,” the radio host announced, and my head snapped towardthe speakers. “Oh my God. That’s you!” Quade smirked, but he didn’t say a word.
“That’s you!” I squealed again, the car jerking slightly with my excitement.
“Keep yo’ eyes on the road, baby.”
I faced forward, biting back a grin as his voice filled the car.
“Pulled up clean, voice gold on the beat, told my past hello, goodbye, like Adele on beat,” Quade rapped.
“This is good, baby,” I whispered. “Like, really good.”
“You think so?”
“Hell yeah!” I bobbed my head as I made a left and then continued straight as I was instructed. When I passed the entrance sign, my mouth dropped open.
“Wait,” I whispered. “Are we going to the sculpture park?”
“I thought you might like it. Zy said the artsy girls loved this place.”
“You taking dating advice from a sixteen-year-old?” I shook my head, laughing.
“Hey, it got me this far.” He shrugged. “Park up there.” He pointed to an open parking space up ahead. I eased the car in and turned it off, heart still racing a little from the drive. We climbed out, and Quade rounded the car to meet me with my chair.
“You know, if I’ma be driving alone, I have to learn how to do that part, too,” I said.
“Well, we’ll work on that skill another day.” He waved me off as he locked my chair so I could make the transfer. I slid into place, adjusted my legs, and reached for his hand.
“You ready?”
“Let’s go.” We made our way toward the path. We wandered through the sculpture park, admiring the art. The park was quiet at this hour and lit up beautifully.
“Look at that one.” Quade pointed to a huge, abstract sculpture shaped like an unraveling flower.
“Ooh! Get my picture!” I gasped. “I want to paint this one.”
“Bet.” Quade pulled out his phone as I rolled to the edge of the structure.
