My heart pounds fiercely against my ribs. I couldn’t have heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”
“It’s everything you wanted, right?”
I look over the sparkly beauty once more. All black leather with the matching red embroidery, “I-I don’t know what to say, Hayden.”
“Nothing. You deserve it, and it’s the least I can do for you.”
“Hayden, that wasn’t your fault. You have to stop blaming yourself.”
He’s had a lot of pressure placed on him by Ryder, so he hasn’t been able to forgive himself, no matter what I say.
“You gonna keep standing there, or are you gonna jump in and try her out?”
I don’t waste another second before hopping into the seat, immediately sinking into the soft leather. I run my hands along the leather-coated steering wheel. The thin wheel fits perfectly in my grip. Hayden tosses the keys through my window and takes his seat in the passenger side. I turn the keys in the ignition, making the engine purr to life. I smirk, enthralled by the beauty.
“This is…” I’m speechless as the classic vibrates beneath me. I’ve never had a nice car before, only my worn-down Camry. This is the car of my dreams, a dream I’ve had since a little girl, and Hayden brought them to life. Now all his questions about what I would do with it make sense. All along, he planned on it being mine.Mine.
“I know.”
I look to Hayden, tears forming in my eyes with words on the tip of my tongue, but can’t bring myself to speak them without triggering the waterworks, so all I can manage is a hoarse, “Thank you.”
“Put her in reverse before you start crying on me!” He drolls, making me laugh. God, I probably look like an emotional mess right now.
We’re flying down the curvy backroads, windows down. Really putting the engine to the test while my hair whips around me. My cheeks ache from how long I’ve been smiling, teeth on full display. Three Days Grace’s Pain blares from the speakers, and Hayden thumps his head intune. My favorite thing might just be watching Hayden live so…freely.
I turn the radio volume down. “So, where are we going?”
“Just keep straight.”
I continue straight, passing the “Entering Blue Ridge Parkway” sign. The roads get much more windy and steep from this point. I’ve always had a heart for the North Carolina mountains. With fall forthcoming, the leaves on the trees have begun changing colors. The orange and yellow flora twist and twirl as the crisp fall breeze blows through the steep mountain forests.
As the sun begins to set, I wonder if we’ll ever make it to where we’re going. Hayden hasn’t directed me to make any turns. Does he even know where we’re going?
“Turn left on that dirt road.”
“Uh, what dirt road?” I look around frantic, trying not to miss this road he speaks of, not seeing a damn thing anywhere.
“Make one.”
I stopped dead in the road, ensuring nobody was behind us. “Hayden, there is nowhere to turn.” All around us is thick forestry, and I’ll be damned if I wreck this car. Hayden looks at me as if I’ve grown three heads. Right, because I’m the crazy one here. Hayden steps out of the car, walking around and waving me out. I comply, but instead of getting out, I step over the console and plop into the passenger seat.
“By all means, lead the way.”
“I intend to, sweetheart. Just sit back and relax.”
Hayden revs the engine a few times before drifting left into what he considers a road. The foliage consumes us. I peer out the rearview mirror, no longer able to see the main road. A smidge of anxiety rushes through my veins.
“Are you planning on murdering me like in those thriller books?”
“Maybe.” He deadpans.
My head whips in his direction, “You better be joking!” If it weren’t for his dark chuckle and smirk, I would have probably believed him. I mean, I’m still not entirely used to being involved in a mafia where laws don’t apply to them, or they can just pay off the government to cover any of their shit up. Murdering me would be nothing to them, but then again, why would they go to the extent they’ve gone for a girl they planned on sending to her maker?Get it together, Kelsey.
“Then where are you taking me?” I press.
“For the love of God, Kelsey, have some patience.”
Pursing my lips at his attitude, I have a million responses on the tip of my tongue ready to blow off, but I decide better on it and zip my mouth shut.
