“I don’t mind.”
Bas’s hand unobtrusively smoothed down my back. I pulled the hood of my jacket up as the rain grew heavier.
A few minutes later my dad pulled up in the wrecker, and I handed the keys to Bas so he could pull the car onto the back. When he climbed back out, he was carrying my purse and the little paper bag that held my new books.
“Glad you’re okay,” Gray said, walking over to give me a hug. “You did good pulling to the shoulder and calling Dad instead of trying to drive home.”
“I was way too freaked out for that,” I confessed. “Even if I could’ve driven it home, I probably would’ve asked Dad to come get me.”
“Nothin’ wrong with that. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” I said as he pulled away. “Tell Frank I said thanks for coming.”
I looked toward the blinding headlights and gave a little wave as Gray walked back to the truck.
“All right, we’re all set,” my dad announced as he rounded the wrecker. “Hop in so we can get this back to the garage.”
“Thanks for coming,” I said as Bas handed over my stuff. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I was closest,” he said easily. “No problem.” He lifted his chin to my dad and then walked back to his motorcycle.
Dad waited next to the open passenger door and helped me into the big truck before closing me inside the warm cab. He must’ve turned the heat on the highest setting for me, because he was used to sitting on the back of a motorcycle in any kind ofweather, and I’d never once gotten into a car with him when the heater was on.
“Buckle up,” he ordered as he climbed into the driver’s seat.
“I haven’t ridden in this thing in ages,” I mused, setting my bags between us.
“Proud of you for handlin’ yourself,” he said, glancing at me as we pulled onto the road. “Bas said that steering is fucked.”
“It wasn’t pleasant, I’ll tell you that much for free,” I joked.
“You didn’t notice any problems before that?”
“Not at all. It drove just fine to the restaurant. I didn’t notice anything going through town on the way home, either. It wasn’t until I got to that corner, and then boom, the steering wheel would barely turn.”
“You’re lucky you weren’t going any faster.”
“I would’ve been, but I drive like an old lady at night, especially when it’s raining.”
“Worked in your favor tonight.”
“I’m surprised Mom didn’t come with you. Is she still at Gram’s?”
“No, she told me she’d meet me at home. I met her at Casper’s after work, and I told her there wasn’t any reason to take both cars to the club.” He smiled a little. “May have downplayed the situation a little.”
“She’s gonna kill you.”
“Not unless you tell her.”
“She’s got a sixth sense.”
“She agreed to meet us at home, so maybe it’s gettin’ rusty.”
My phone started ringing in my purse, and I chuckled when I saw my mom was calling.
“You’re toast,” I told Dad before answering. “Hey, Ma.”
“Where are you? Are you okay? Did your dad pick you up yet? What happened?”
