Page 45 of A Little Bit Uncertain

“And to make sure I have the full picture here, can you tell me what those turnover sounds are supposed to sound like?” I laughed, and she swatted me. “But in all seriousness, they said the battery was fine when you got it serviced?”

“Yeah. And the mechanic is my dad’s friend, so I trust him completely.”

That’s weird that it went from fine to completely dead. I kept my thoughts to myself, but something about that felt off. “I’d say pop the hood and I’ll have a look around, but I know nothing about cars. Did you call someone like AAA?”

“I called a tow truck, and they said it would be hours. Murphy and Bennett are with Maverick, and I wouldn’t want to bother them after they’ve been drinking all day. I really just want to get home.” She sighed again.

“If there were only a Batman wannabe who was hanging around and could provide a ride service to you.” I looked at the sky with my arms out in an exaggerated fashion and a teasing grin.

“I don’t want to say yes to you right now,” she said, smiling shyly, shaking her head.

“Or you could say thank you for showing up, Donovan. Why, yes, I would appreciate a ride, Donovan. What fun gadgets do you have in your Batmobile, Donovan? And by the way, why don’t you want to say yes? What’s that about?” Besides pushing myself on you when you were merely trying to make someone jealous, and then trying to exchange numbers after refusing to read the room that you were pushing me away.

“Because I haven’t been able to reciprocate, I feel like all I’ve done is take from you.” Her words shocked me. It was rare in my world for someone to be cognizant enough to think about reciprocation for unselfish reasons. And here was this woman who was debating not taking a ten-minute ride because she was worried she was taking too much.

“Please, Audra. A couple of rides and a walk on the beach after a bad day hardly constitutes you incessantly taking from me. Besides, you did me a huge favor by coming to the Warrior Academy Vegas night with me. I wouldn’t have made it solo. Let’s go, and we can deal with the car tomorrow. Someone can bring you back in the morning, but if not, you can call me. I have nothing going on.”

She took a couple of seconds to contemplate her options, but knew she had none. “Ok, Batman. Let’s go. Or whatever Batman says when he leaves.” She bounced over to my car down the street while I chuckled in her wake.

Maybe the universe was intentionally putting me on the scene when she needed me. Help me out, universe, I sent into the cosmos. Help. Me. Out.