I look between the two of them, not sure who to respond to, so I say, “I don’t mind.”
“Fine,” Memphis agrees tightly, indulging his brother.
“You guys decide who else gets the front seat.” I open the rear driver’s side door and slide in the back.
“It’s your car, you should be in the front,” Memphis says as soon as he opens the rear passenger door.
I place my purse in the front center console so the car will start. “You guys are all taller than me.”
Memphis lowers himself into the seat and glances around before settling his gaze on me. It’s unnerving. I fidget with my backpack straps, pretending not to notice. Oswald drops into the driver’s seat and the car shakes, making my boobs bounce. If I felt it, Memphis certainly witnessed it.
I lean forward between the seats. “Just press the brake, and it should start.”
“Whoa, you can barely tell it’s running.” Oswald briefly looks over at Bates in the passenger seat. “How do I put it in reverse?”
“Oh, sorry.” I scoot over a little so I can point to the screen in the center. “See that dotted line on the left?”
“This?” Oswald points to it.
“Yeah, push in the brake and run your finger down that line.”
I watch him do it, and the rear camera comes on, so I know it’s in reverse, but we don’t move. “Now, you just use the gas like normal.”
I let out a little yelp when he punches the pedal too hard and we shoot backwards, then he slams on the brake again, so I end up smashed up against Memphis. “I’m sorry,” I tell him, while Oswald mutters, “Oh shit,” over and over again. Good thing the lot is almost empty this evening.
“You’re good,” Memphis says and pulls me back when I try to right myself in my seat.
“He does have a license, right?” I’m mostly joking, but it’s a good cover for how breathless I feel pressed up against his side.
“I have a license. How do I put it in drive?”
“Just run your finger up the line, but don’t goose the gas,” I warn. This car is speedy, and I don’t want him to hit a parked car.
“I won’t,” he mumbles like I’m lecturing him. The acceleration is much smoother, and he glides to the exit and makes a left.
“We’re parked the other way,” Memphis tells him.
“I know where I’m going.”
Bates speaks up for the first time since being in the car. “Well, I need to work tomorrow, so don’t get crazy.”
“Lame.” Oswald takes a few turns, but he never strays far from campus.
Just when I’m starting to get comfortable next to Memphis, Oswald turns into a parking lot, and I spot their truck.
“Touch the P at the top when you’re ready to park.”
“Will it do it for me?” He glances over his shoulder.
I laugh a little. “It can, but there’s a spot right there.” I point toward the windshield.
“Fine.” He drives slowly into the space and touches the screen to park.
“Most fun you’ve had all day?” Bates reaches for the door handle.
“Not by a longshot.” Oswald catches my eye in the rearview mirror.
“Oh really?” Memphis grumbles, and I realize he caught his brother’s look in my direction through the rearview mirror.
