5. Kelly
Chapter 5
T he truck is parked right next to my little car. Not that the parking lot here is huge, but they should have parked closer to the main campus…then I could have hitched a ride with them instead of having to walk so far. Still, at least I don’t have to carry all the drinks now. When we get to the lot I’m in, Sam, Teddy, and Steve all pile into the truck. Steve tries to get in the front seat, but there isn’t enough room for three big guys without being squished.
My attention is drawn from their attempts at circus clowning the truck by a loud thunk. When I turn around, I see Garret has dropped his forehead on the top of my car. “Hey, Kelly, can I ride home with you? I just kind of need some space from…that.” With his face still pressed against the roof, he waves his hand vaguely in the direction of the truck.
Reaching across, I run my fingers through his short hair until his face tilts up to mine. “I understand needing to get away more than you know. Hop on in, sorry the ceiling’s so low.” His warm smile in reply makes my chest flutter a little. But I still laugh when he sits down, and his head has to tilt to the side just to fit in. Once he buckles his seatbelt, I fire up my tiny beast and we’re off.
One of the major downsides of living in Oak Flats is how tiny everything there is. Even the college I go to is almost thirty miles away, and it’s not much bigger than a vocational school. Which means every bump in the road on the long ride home has me apologizing for my car being so short. Garret just smiles and slides as far down as the seatbelt will let him. His knees are now pressed up against the dashboard, and I’m worried I might need a rope to drag him out when we get home, but at least he won’t have a headache.
The silence is almost deafening, but I’m at a loss for what to say. So, in the interest of preserving my sanity I start talking, well, more like babbling, but I’m a nervous talker. “So, how did it go today? I know you guys were headed to Springfield. Were you able to get everything you needed? Did you remember to eat lunch, I worry about y’all not eating…which is really silly now that I think about it, I’m sure Sam wouldn’t let anybody go hungry. Oh, did you go by the mall, they have the coolest soap and candle store that you can make your own scents at. A few years ago Jacks went and got a whole bunch of candles there for Candice before she joined their pack, one for each of ’em. Though, apparently, he didn’t read the instructions well, or they aren’t really meant to burn for a long time, because he almost set the nest on fire last year when they finally got around to lighting the things. I guess it’s lucky they work at the fire department, huh?”
Why can’t I stop talking?
Nervous rambling is an understatement right now.
And I’m not even nervous around Garret, he’s sweet.
Ok, well, a little nervous, our one-on-one relationship is closer to what I expected.
Though the purring, growling, and knot all still require a learning curve.
Shoot, did I say that out loud?
Why is he staring?
Please Kelly, stop talking.
My voice babbles on, and I’m not even sure what I just said. But he has a tiny smile, and his eyes are darned near twinkling. He looks like he’s trying not to laugh and failing miserably.
I hate when I talk so much that I forget what’s coming out.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
Biting my lip to stop the verbal flood, he finally laughs. “Sorry, I was starting to worry you were going to hyperventilate. Do you need a paper bag or anything? Do we need to pull over and you can try to put your head between your knees? Maybe you can bend over in this car, but I think I might need help to get out.” His smile is warm, and that funny fluttery feeling is back in my chest. “To answer your…many questions. Today went fine. We did go to Springfield and picked up everything we needed. Sam took us to the mall to visit the bookstore, and we had lunch at the food court there. Pizza.”
My head swings towards him before paying attention to the road again. I really need to find time to get over there. His smile gets bigger when I give him more attention. “We did not go by the candle shop, though I’m sure it’s lovely. And yes, it’s very lucky that Jacks’s pack works for the fire department. Though from what I’ve seen of them I’m pretty sure that Gabe could glare at a fire and have it go out just to escape.” This last bit sounds kind of silly, partly 'cause Gabe’s a teddy bear, but maybe it’s some of that sophisticated humor I don’t get. Still, at least my hysterical ramblings have quieted down, so I’ll count it as a win.
He doesn’t offer up anything else on his own, and I turn on the radio. True to form, I can’t get any signal out there on FM, and I don’t feel like listening to someone ramble on about conspiracy theories on an AM station, so I turn it off again after a few minutes.
I’m about to start rambling again just to break the silence when I hear a low murmur. Looking around to make sure the car’s not going to explode, I notice that Garret’s eyes are closed, his lips moving slightly. Apparently he’s singing quietly. So softly that I can’t make out the words. The tone is sweet and melodic, and I want to lean closer to hear more of it .
Unfortunately, when I try to get closer his eyes snap open and the singing stops. Shoot. His blush is so cute as he notices me leaning way too far over while I should be driving. One of his big hands comes out and pushes gently against my arm, straightening me out in my seat. “Sorry, Sweetness, you need to pay attention to the road right now. If you want me to sing to you later…well, I’m not very good, but I can try. For now, just be safe.” His eyes close again without waiting for a response, and I once again get angry at this stupid commute, since it won’t allow me to curl up against him for a nap.
Dang-it coffee, why aren’t you working?
I yawn so hard my jaw cracks. Today wasn’t too crazy, but being back after a week off from everything because of the storm and break has worn me down. I can’t even roll my shoulders because of this darned seat belt. And it’s too cold to put down the window. My jaw cracks again on the next yawn and I pull over on the shoulder, determined to wake myself before I have an accident. I suddenly feel betrayed by my caramel mocha and want to throw it at something.
Checking for traffic, I get out of the car, moving around behind it to stretch my spine and legs. I feel too heavy today. Oh crud. What day is it? Pulling my phone out, I check the calendar.
Oh, look, fun times.
Shark week is almost here.
Feeling entirely too whiny, I pat my cheeks aggressively and get back in the car. Garret has apparently fallen completely asleep. A tiny spiteful part of me is tempted to wake him up and make him go into the next gas station we pass to buy me chocolate. I shoot the idea down in my own mind. I’m sure he would, Garret is super sweet. But I am already dragging, and I need to get home for a hot shower, warm food…and go by Mom and Dad’s house to get my heating pad, more books, and clean out the bathroom cabinet, ’cause Tuck sure doesn’t need pads.
At least now I know why I feel like sludge. Still, knowing and being able to handle it are two separate things. I get back in the car and get situated before pulling back out to head home. The guys are already gonna beat me there. Part of me wants to call now and ask them to stop for chocolate on the way home. But I feel bad making them take an extra trip for me. I hate feeling so whiny and off-kilter.
I shoot a quick text off to Teddy and Sam about impending doom and that they might want to trade me Teddy’s bed, or be prepared to be used as heating pads for the foreseeable future. With that done, I slide my car back onto the road, heading towards my parents’ house. Then I can hurry home to my cuddly omega.
I need a hug.