Nolan had never exactly had the best luck with men. He wasn’t expecting his luck to change now.
He followed Finn around to the front of the car once he’d closed the trunk, settling himself in the passenger seat. All the fresh air and hard work had worn him out, and he was looking forward to just staring at the scenery and letting Finn talk at him on the way back to the sanctuary.
Nolan listened to Finn shoving the keys into the ignition, the engine of the car roaring to life…
And then spluttering out.
He glanced over, watching a frown crease Finn’s brow as he tried it again, this time to a sad clicking sound and no roar at all.
Despite being a long way from an expert on cars, Nolan knew that was a bad sign.
“Dammit,” Finn muttered.
He popped the hood and got out of the car, disappearing from view.
After a moment of considering his options, Nolan got out and followed him, moving to stand beside him as he peered into the engine.
“Do you know how to fix it?” he asked, trying not to soundtoohopeful.
“I don’t even know what’s wrong with it. I dunno why I’m standing out here staring at it as though I’m gonna suddenly gain some kind of magic mechanical knowledge,” Finn said, defeated.
A roll of thunder just barely sounded before the sky opened up above them, rain pouring down in heavy drops.
Nolan looked at Finn, who was staring up at the sky as if he was tempted to yell at it for adding to his problems.
“This is why I pay for roadside assistance, I guess,” Finn said, closing the hood back down. “Let’s get out of the rain.”
Not needing to be told twice, Nolan darted back into the cover of the car, glad to be out of the brewing thunderstorm outside. He hadn’t heard any weather warnings today, so he wasn’t expecting it to betoobad, but this was South Florida.
Storms got serious fast here.
Nolan let the sound of Finn calling the roadside assistance company wash over him as the rain fell outside, the constant drip-drip-drip soothing him in spite of everything.
“Minimum two hours,” Finn said as he got off the phone, spitting it like a curse.
“Wearein the middle of nowhere,” Nolan said, determined not to be upset about it. This wasn’t Finn’s fault, and he didn’t want him to feel bad.
“I’m sorry,” Finn said. “I guess maybe itistime I gave up this car for something a little more reliable.”
Nolan shook his head. “Not unless youwantto. Besides, she seems like she’s gotten you through a lot.”
“You have no idea,” Finn smiled wryly, reaching out to pat the dashboard even as he said it. Nolan could tell he loved this car, and that had to be for areason.
He was curious about that was. He was curious about Finn, and his past, and his hopes and dreams. Getting to know him better sounded like the best thing Nolan could do with his time. Anything Finn would give him, any part of himself he was willing to share was worth having.
“I’ve got a minimum of two hours to find out,” Nolan offered. “Y’know. If you wanted to share.”
“Iwantto take a nap,” Finn said, glancing into the back seat. “I have stuff to put together a makeshift bed with the back seats folded down. If you’re okay with close quarters.”
“I was planning on napping here, but if you’ve got an option that won’t completely wreck my neck…”
Finn chuckled. “No promises there, but you’ll be mostly horizontal, at least. And Idostill owe you a hug.”
“I think this has all been an elaborate plan to cuddle with me again,” Nolan joked, trying not to gettooexcited over the implication that Finn actually wanted to hug him.
“Dude, you’re giving mewaytoo much credit. I couldn’t have come up with a plan this elaborate,” Finn said, lowering the backrest of his seat and then, with a surprising amount of grace and agility, climbing past it into the back of the car. “I do kinda consider it a bonus, though.”
Nolan blinked.
