“I can do that. Just point me to your car.” There’s no denying it. I am very much in love with this woman.
14
Bethany
On the wayto my house Joey said I could still be in shock from the fire, and I needed someone to watch over me tonight.
Alanis Morrissette came on the radio — “Hand in My Pocket” — and he started singing along with enthusiasm. But he didn’t really know the lyrics that well, so he’d just repeat them a split second after Alanis. It was so funny, and eventually he turned and made a self-deprecating face — an adorableone I might add — and said, “You know, I thought I knew the lyrics to this song better than I apparently do.”
I had to tell him to stop making me laugh, because breathing still hurt a little.
“No problem,” he said, his eyes glued to the road. “I’ll be painfully unfunny from here on out.”
I’m starting to feel it more now — the effects of the fire. Like the insides of my lungs have been burned. I cough a few times.
“Are you okay? Does your chest hurt?” Joey says.
“No, I’m fine.”
“If you feel dizzy or short on breath just let me know. I’ll take you to a hospital.”
“What ifyoumake me feel dizzy and breathless?”
“Well, I guess the best antidote is to spend as much time with me as possible. We have to desensitize you to my presence.”
“What if it backfires?”
“Don’t worry, I’m trained in CPR.”
“Now that’s a lovely image that just popped into my head.”
Upon arrival, he pulls to the curb and shuts off the engine. There’s a moment of awkward silence, neither of us sure who should speak first or what should be said.
He turns to me. “So . . .”
“So . . .”
Joey laughs. “I’m just going to talk.”
He inhales, meets my gaze, then looks away. It’s cute to see him nervous when he’s usually so cool and confident. I can tell he’s going to say something he’s not entirely comfortable sharing.
“So, you know how I said I asked your brother if it was okay with him if I took you home and kept an eye on you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well . . . there was actually more to it than that.”
“So, what else did you guys talk about?”
“I told Jax that I like you, and I want to take you out on a proper date some time.”
“I knew it.”
“What?”
“You needed his blessing.” My tone makes it clear I’m not the biggest fan of their silly code.
“No, it’s not like that.” Joey says. “I . . . I was going to tell you how I felt, but Jax brought it up before I had the chance.”
