“Seb, it’s so true. You kept drifting to the wrong side of the road and turning into the wrong lanes. You’re going to get yourself killed driving like that.”
“It’s not the wrong side of the road. It’s the correct side of the road. You guys just drive on the wrong fucking side, and it’s stupid.”
“Yeah, well, it’s the right side of the road over here, literally the right side, not the left, and you can’t seem to remember that fact.”
“I can’t help it if you’re backward over here. I’m a great driver.”
“Maybe back home you are, but not here. You scared the hell out of me, man. You cannot drive up to North Carolina by yourself. We’ll have to find another way for you to get up there.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“No, you won’t be fine. I’d worry every second. We’ll find another way.”
I was getting agitated. I didn’t want to look like I was incapable of something as simple as driving in front of Josiah.I don’t know why I care what he thinks about me, but dammit, I do.I was about to continue the argument when Presley spoke up.
“Wait, you’re heading to North Carolina? Oh, my God, you should get a ride with Josiah. He’s leaving for Asheville in the morning for a conference.”
I could feel Josiah’s posture change immediately when Presley suggested we ride together. His back went ramrod straight, and he tried to shake his head at Presley subtly.
Presley wasn’t paying attention, and neither was Bruce.
“That would be perfect! You can drop him off up there, and we can figure out his ride back. Maybe he could ride back with you, Josiah? This would really help us out.”
Josiah, I could tell, wanted to say no. He hesitated for so long I felt he really was about to decline. He really didn’t want to have anything to do with me, and why should he.I couldn’t even drive over here for fuck’s sake.Who would want that? Plus, it seemed I had a habit of getting him into situations he didn’t want to be in. It was hopeless.
I can only guess the look of expectation in Presley and Bruce’s eyes eventually got to him because his shoulders slumped and he let out a heavy sigh while plastering on a forced smile.
“I would be happy to help out. I’m attending a meeting put on by the Valentine’s Inc. company after the majority of the conference is over. I’ll be up there for a week, so I can bring him back down if you want, too.”
Bruce looked so relieved and happy that all ideas of arguing went out the window. I would just have to suck it up and go with it, even though I was really not happy being in a car for hours with someone who so obviously hated the idea of being stuck with me.
Everything was settled quickly. Josiah would come pick me up in the morning, and we’d get on the road about six in the morning. He mentioned something about weather rolling in and wanting to miss it, but I didn’t pay much attention.
We said our goodbyes and Bruce made a point of getting to the driver’s door first.
Asshole.
“I’m so happy we could get you a ride up to the cabin. And I know you want more time with Josiah. Maybe you two can get to know each other a little during the drive.”
Bruce was in that newlywed happy phase where everything was sunshine and roses, so I didn’t want to dash his hopes.
“Asshole, you’re trying to fix me up, aren’t you? Maybe we can talk, I don’t know. He didn’t seem so keen to have to take me with him.”
“Nah, that’s just Josiah. He has to warm up to things. At least that’s what I’ve noticed about him. You just need to talk to him on the trip, and you’ll see. He’s been really guarded with people since his last relationship a few years ago. Not sure what happened, but when he moved back to town, he was different.”
“Huh, so no one knows what happened?”
“I’m sure his brother and Presley do, but they don’t talk about it. He just stays so buttoned-up, but I’m sure he could let loose with the right person. And after what you two did at the sauna, you might be the right one.”
“Dude, that was one time, and he ran away right afterward.”
“Well, you talked to him like a dirty Dom daddy fantasy come to life. You gave him the ability to let go for the first time in years. You probably scare the hell out of him, but that’s not a bad thing.”
“What? You weren’t in the room that night!”
Bruce laughed and threw me a wicked smile and wink. “You didn’t think I knew about the details? Dude, it was my party, and your little show was a big hit. I wasn’t going to mention it, but seriously, you got that boy to do things he would never have done with anyone else.”
“Well, yeah, but…”
