Chapter Twenty-Six
Jonah
I follow Vivian around the truck. Is he going to kick the tires too? They’re new. I bought them from the tire place across town. I used my credit card for those. The guy selling the truck wanted five thousand. It isn’t worth that, and we both knew it. But it is worth more than I paid him. Paying in cash goes a long way.
That part was a little trickier. I had to find a bank that would let me withdraw the cash. Then I had to verify my identity. Evidently, I was supposed to inform my bank that I was going on a cross-country trip.
I thought Vivian would be happier about this.
He opens the passenger door and checks the interior, and I’m glad I ran it through the car wash and cleaned it already. “There’s only one seat.”
“It’s an old truck.” Leaning against the bumper, I watch him check the windows. Which is fair. I’d already checked them too.
“Hmm. What year is this?”
“Do you even know the difference between them?” I ask, but I don’t wait for his answer. “She’s in good condition. I checked.”
He glances over the truck at our parents. Then turns to face me, with his back toward them. “Like George checked the van?”
I hold back my smile. “I’m a better mechanic than my dad.”
His eyes sparkle. “I guess we’ll see.” And then he says so low, I almost miss it, “Thank you, Jonah.”
“You’re welcome.”
He bites his lip and glances up at me from under his lashes. Fuck. I remember that look. “Jonah, I really want to kiss you right now.”
“Stop torturing me. We don’t have time for a quickie. You have a job interview to get to.”
He grins, and it’s brighter than the Arizona sun.
Of course Dad has to check out the truck. I don’t mention the issues with the last vehicle he checked over. He has a good heart.
We want to get on the road, but Dad convinces us to wait a little longer. They want to talk to us about something.
Vivian smiles, but his nerves show in the way his body tenses and the tapping of his fingers.
I place my hand on his back. “We’re going to pack and load the truck. Then we’ll meet you…in your room?”
“The lobby,” Dad says, his eyes on Carolynda.
Once we’re in the room, Vivian heads to the bathroom to gather his stuff. I step in front of him. “Hold on.”
He glares, but there’s no heat behind it. “What are you doing? We have to get going.”
“I just need a minute.” I cup his face. “No matter what happens, I’m here. Okay?”
Vivian looks away, but I lift his chin to catch his eyes. “I mean it.” I should leave it at that, but I can’t. I brush my lips against him.
“We’ve talked about this. Stop being so sweet.”
“Give me one good reason.”
He closes his eyes, and his words are soft, barely there. “I’m afraid I’ll get used to it.”
I want to make him promises I’m not sure I can keep. Nothing will stop me from being there for him. But is that true? If Dad finds out?—
But the clock is ticking, so I kiss him again and let him go. We pack up and load the truck. Thankfully, it has a cover over the back. Arizona is usually dry and hot this early in June, but monsoon season is right around the corner. And the one thing I’ve learned on this trip is that I need to be prepared for anything.
