Chapter Four
LYRIC
After I open the driver’s door, I plop down on the seat, open my plastic bag, and pull out a Red Vine.
Chase’s eyes widen as he takes in the sight. “Those things will rot your insides.”
I smirk, biting off the end, and stick it between my teeth like a straw. “Then at least I’ll die happy,” I mumble, slurping my soda through it to prove my point.
Chase groans, half horrified, half amused. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Unbelievably satisfied,” I shoot back, chewing down the vine. The sweetness makes me feel alive and giddy all at the same time.
Before I can grab another, Chase leans over, plucks one from the bag, and dangles it in front of me. “Hey!” I swat at his hand, laughing.
“What?” he says, all innocence. “Sharing is caring.” He bites one end, leaving the rest hanging in front of me like a dare.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Seriously?”
His smirk eggs me on, and who am I to deny him? So I lean in and chomp the other end. My eyes meet his, and we freeze, our faces way too close in a ridiculous tug-of-war over cheap candy.
“Mmm…” I hum exaggeratedly around the candy, refusing to let go.
Chase laughs low in his chest, his eyes locked on mine. He gives a sharp tug, the vine snapping between us, causing us both to chuckle as he chews on the vine like a champion. “Guess I win.”
“Cheater,” I mutter, chewing my half, as I sink back into my chair, my pulse kicking up for reasons I do not want to admit.
I turn to him, devouring the vine quickly, the sweetness rushing into my system in one glorious, dizzy wave. The sugar rush hits me, my eyes half lidded, my lips sticky, and a hum of satisfaction escapes before I can catch it.
It’s stupid how good this feels, like a rush of pure adrenaline flushes straight through my veins.
Hi, my name’s Lyric, and I am a sugar addict.
My eyes roll into the back of my head as I sink into my seat, letting out a moan that I can’t for the life of me stop, even if I wanted to.
But then I remember, I’m not alone in my truck, gorging on candy.
Hallmark is here with me, and I snap my eyes open wide, turning to see him smirking at me with the biggest grin on his face, like he’s thoroughly enjoying the show.
“What?” I snap, then take another mouthful of irresistibly sweet fun.
Chase’s smirk deepens, his gaze fixed on me, but his tone is deeply laced with lust. “Your face right now. I swear if a man made you as happy as that sugar does, he’d know he was doing his job right.”
My cheeks heat immediately while I feel all kinds of embarrassed.
I love sugar.
I know it’s an addiction, but what I didn’t realize was that I look orgasmic while eating it.
I need to be more careful.
He stops, his voice softer. “It’s cute, honestly. Don’t stop eating it on my account.”
I place the plastic bag in the console between us, then turn to start the truck.
“Lost for words?” he teases, but I stay quiet. “Honestly, Lyri, those faces you pull really are something I wanna keep seeing.”
I whip my head his way, glaring, but completely flustered. “You really do think you’re God’s gift, don’t you?”
Chase sits back in his chair, assessing me. “God’s gift, huh?” He raises an eyebrow, clearly pleased with himself.
I scoff, turning back to the wheel. “Screw you!” I start the engine, pulling out of the park in a mad rush, kicking up dirt, but suddenly hearing a thud in the rear of the truck.
Crap! Doughnut. Lyri, you idiot!
I grimace as we both turn back to see Doughnut poke his head back up, looking at us, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth like he’s having the ride of his life and enjoying himself.
Baa.
I let out a relieved breath as I slowly back off and drive at a more civilized pace.
The truck fills with an uneasy tension. Where there was sizzling chemistry and not much else before, now it’s coupled with my annoyance at myself because I’m not angry at Chase. Not really. I’m just angrier that this attraction I have for him won’t ease.
Right, I need a distraction.
I lean over, flick the switch for the radio, adjust the station, and watch as he seems to relax a little when an ’80s rock band blares across the speakers.
This is where my music tastes lie. My fingers gently tap along on the steering wheel to the heavy beat and husky lyrics, my head bopping to and fro.
I don’t even realize I’m dancing in my seat until I hear Chase chuckle to himself.
I glance across at him to see his eyes transfixed on me. “What?” I ask defensively, my eyes flicking between him and the road.
“Nothing.”
I scoff. “It’s obviously something. You don’t laugh for no reason.”
His eyes light up. “I like your taste in music, that’s all.”
My curiosity piques. “You like old-school rock?”
He shifts toward me like he’s gearing up for a real conversation.
“Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Queen, The Eagles…
shit, I could go on and on. I might have been born in the late eighties, not really getting the full advantage of those bands while they were big, but growing up, music was huge in my house.
And rock? Rock was what kept me going through my teenage years. ”
Maybe we have more in common than I thought.
Music might have played a big part in Chase’s childhood, but he has no idea how massive music was in mine. I guess it still is, in a way. However, I try hard not to get involved with that side of my family’s business.
“I get it, music was big in my childhood, too. My family is all into the music—”
“But not you?” he asks abruptly as if reading my mind.
I sink into myself a little, not knowing exactly the right words to say. “No, not me.”
There’s an easy quiet between us for a beat, then he turns toward me a little more. “Favorite Queen song. Go!”
I let out a loud laugh. Chase’s excited face tells me he’s serious. “Um… okay, well, that’s easy… “Bohemian Rhapsody” without a doubt.”
He sits back in his chair like he’s disappointed in me. “That’s the coward’s way out. Everybody picks that song. Be honest. Really think about it. I mean, really, which one?”
I think for a moment and smile. “ “The Show Must Go On.” ”
His body relaxes like I couldn’t have said anything better. I turn back to the road, feeling great, as if I have impressed him in some small way. But I still want to impress him—I can’t help this damn attraction. This guy is giving me whiplash, but in all the right ways.
“That’s the one I always listen to when I’m in a tough spot, like at work or something. It helps me through,” he says.
“Freddy was a genius.”
“You can say that again.”
I smirk. “Freddy was a genius.”
He chuckles. “Smartass.”
I relax back in my seat, feeling a little more comfortable while he riffles through his bag, pulling out a sandwich.
“A sandwich? Really? You gotta work on your road-trip snacks, man.”
He opens the plastic container and brings his crusty pastrami on rye to his lips. “At least I won’t die of diabetes.”
I snicker as I reach into my bag and pull out another Red Vine, promptly chomping it down while Chase shakes his head. “So, what do you do for a job, Mr. Business Attire?”
I feel his eyes boring into me, but I keep mine firmly on the road. “You know, work for the family business…” He pauses. “General boring office stuff, nothing interesting. Tell me more about Love and Lavender.”
His avoidance tactic has me instantly intrigued, but I don’t want to push him if he’s not willing to give anything back, so I answer him, “I’ve worked hard to get my business up and running along with my business partner, Rory, much to the utter disappointment of my family.
They wanted more for me, but floristry is all I’ve ever wanted.
I love it. Always have. So, it’s the right choice for me. ”
He nods like he’s trying to wrap his mind around my words. “You gotta do what you love, Lyri. Otherwise, it’s a chore. If every day is a chore, then what the hell is the point?”
Finally, someone who gets me.
“Man, I need you to talk to my dad,” I mumble under my breath.
“I can if you want.”
My eyes widen. “Crap! You heard that?”
“It’s a small space, Lyri, and you said it out loud.”
Honestly, I was sure I thought it.
I bite the side of my cheek in embarrassment. “Well, maybe one day you’ll meet him,” I reply, trying to be nice.
“Yeah, maybe one day.”
A comfortable silence filters over us again.
I examine the mirror to check on Doughnut and notice his ears sticking straight up.
It’s kind of funny watching his ears rippling around with the wind.
I tense a little knowing with every turn of the tires, Doughnut’s getting closer to home, and I’m getting closer to saying goodbye to my little friend.
“Tell me about Rip. Is he good to Doughnut?”
“You’ve seen the belly on that goat, right?
Doughnut wants for nothing. Rip and his friends…
” He drifts off for a moment. “They all take real good care of him. They take good care of each other. After everything Rip has been through, it’s nice he’s found a place to settle into. I want that one day.”
The adoration in his eyes is clear, but I can’t help making light of this moment. “What? To settle down with Rip?”
He rolls his eyes. “Hardy-har-har… no, to settle down.”
“How did Rip end up with Doughnut?” I ask.
Chase tilts his head. “Actually, Doughnut isn’t technically Rip’s. He is just his caretaker, I suppose. But out of all the people where we’re going, I think Rip loves Doughnut the most. They’re kind of like kindred spirits.”
“So, because I get along so well with Doughnut, and he brought us together, does that make us kindred spirits?” I quip.
“If you’re lucky.”
I snort out a laugh. “If I’m lucky? Cocky much there, Hallmark?”
He raises his brow. “Hallmark?”
“Yeah, it’s your nickname.”
He purses his lips. “I can live with that, Starlight.”
I don’t reply. I simply change the subject by asking more about Rip. “So, how do you know them?”