“Your son changed my life in so many ways. He always took such good care of me. Now it’s my turn. I’m not doing anything he wouldn’t do for me.”
“Thank you all for coming,” Hugh says as Nana, Mom, and Hadley flank me. “It means a lot to us and Garrick.”
ChapterForty-Four
Stevie
“This is a nice car,” I say as Beck drives his black Audi A7 out of the hospital garage and turns right. It’s sleek, comfortable, and luxurious without being over-the-top excessive. I agreed to go with him so he wasn’t relying on GPS for directions. Mom, Nana, and Hadley are driving separately to our apartment in Nana’s Range Rover.
“It gets me from A to B, and it just about got my father’s seal of approval.”
“Your dad had to approve your choice of car?” Incredulity underscores my tone. I’m keen to keep the conversation flowing so it distracts me from having a full-blown panic attack. Riding in cars is still traumatic for me.
“He tries to demand approval on every aspect of my life, but I keep him on a tight leash,” he says, taking the exit for the I-5 South. “I drove a Volkswagen Passat for a few years. Great car. But apparently not good enough when I started working at the family company. He wanted me to buy a Maserati. It was a ridiculous price, and I refused. We eventually agreed on this one.”
Beck has both hands on the wheel as we join the traffic on the highway, and I’m glad to see it. Traffic is flowing freely, as I expected at this hour of night, but I’m still on edge as we merge into the right lane. I grip the sides of my seat tight, digging my nails into the soft leather.
“I’m not big into cars,” he admits, shocking the shit out of me.
“Isn’t that a male prerequisite?”
His deep chuckle bounces off the tinted windows of his car. “I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not like the typical male.”
“That’s not a disappointment,” I say, glancing at the pristine back seat. “You get major brownie points for individuality and for how clean your car is. I could eat my dinner off the back seat.”
“I’m a bit of a neat freak,” he admits.
“A man after my own heart,” I blurt without thinking. Warmth floods my cheeks. “I didn’t mean that literally,” I rush to reassure him.
“You never have to explain things to me,” Beck says, casting a glance at me. “I see you.”
“Keep your eyes on the road!” My high-pitched tone tells him all he needs to know.
Beck stares straight ahead as he purposely slows down—even though he wasn’t going fast—and says, “I didn’t think to ask if driving is difficult for you. What can I do to make this as comfortable as possible?”
“Just keep your eyes on the road, and don’t go too fast.”
“I can do that,” he softly replies as his fingers grip the wheel tighter.
“I couldn’t get in a car for months,” I admit after a couple of seconds of tense silence. “Hadley deployed some tough love, and she made me go with her on deliveries one day. I was a basket case, but I survived. So, I sat with her every day for the next few weeks until it became bearable. I still get flashbacks and nightmares, and I’m still petrified every time I get in a car, but it’s getting easier.”
“Have you driven yourself?”
“No. I haven’t worked up the courage yet. My original plan was to save for a car, but I get by fine on public transport.”
“When you want to try getting behind the wheel again, let me know, and I’ll come with you.”
“How do you know I’ll ever want to try?”
“Remember, I see you. I know you’ll get back on that saddle.”
The weight of his statement lingers in the air. “I see you too,” I supply after a few silent moments. “Even if you haven’t told me everything.”
“Are you referring to my name or the fact I know Ivy?”
“Both.” I twirl a lock of my hair as I stare at him while he drives. He has a nice side profile.
“My father is Carlton Colbert, and I work for Colbert Aerospace. Under sufferance, as you know. I didn’t deliberately conceal my identity or who I worked for. I hope you know that.”
