Chapter Eleven
Andrew
Five Weeks Later
It’s noon on a Wednesday, and Slade is still dead to the world in bed, which feels almost illegal for a man who’s usually up before the sun. He and the guys had worked late again on the Benz after finishing all the regular service jobs at the garage.
I’d gotten curious enough the other night that Slade took me down there under the strict “we’re not in a weird relationship” pretence.
The car looks gorgeous in that way that only classics can manage, though they’re nowhere near finished.
Slade keeps reminding me that a full restoration like this can take months.
Todd only managed to score the steering wheel from that family friend they visited.
The engine was apparently shot; it wouldn’t even turn over…
I remember the disappointment in Slade’s voice when Todd called.
They’re still hunting for the right one.
The last guy they found was way overpricing it, and the boys couldn’t haggle him down.
Slade always says the right part will come along when it’s supposed to .
I’m in the middle of stuffing a baguette full of ham, cheese, and way too much mustard when I hear the faint metallic clunk of the mailman opening the box by the front door.
I lick my fingers clean and head out, grabbing the little black mailbox key off its hook.
The mailman’s already moving on to the neighbour’s house as I step outside.
I unlock the box and pull out a small stack of envelopes, before locking it again and padding back inside.
In the kitchen I flick through them quickly. Slade… Slade… another for Slade. The next envelope makes my stomach flip; my name printed neatly on the front. I take a deep breath, tear it open, and pull out the letter.
My heart is already racing. I’d gotten the official acceptance for the software development program a week ago.
Slade and I had celebrated with drinks, then very not-usual, very hot sex that left me limping the next morning.
This one is the financial aid decision. I really, really hope it’s good news. I unfold the paper with shaky hands.
‘After careful consideration of your application…’ My stomach drops.
Oh fuck. That’s never a good way to start.
But then the next line hits me and I have to read it twice.
‘…we are pleased to inform you that you have been awarded the Federal Pell Grant in the amount of $7,395 for the 2026–2027 academic year.’
I blink hard. The letter goes on to say that my $3,000 tuition fee has already been deducted and will be paid directly to the college. The remaining $4,395 is mine. split into two separate payments, to use for books, supplies, living expenses, whatever I need.
It takes a second for the numbers to sink in. I’m not going to have to pay a dime out of pocket for tuition, and there’s still actual money left over. My first clear thought, bright and certain, is that I’m finally going to pay Slade back for every single bail fee he’s covered for me.
I grin so wide it almost hurts, fold the letter carefully, and jog up the stairs two at a time. I feel a little bad about waking him, he really did work late, but he’d want to know.
I push the bedroom door open, sling myself onto the bed, and swing a leg over him so I’m straddling his waist. “Slade…”
He doesn’t move, so I shake his shoulder gently. “Slade.”
He yawns, long and groggy, cracking one eye open. “What time is it?”
“Uh… about half twelve.”
He groans and tries to roll over, pulling the pillow over his head. “Just a couple more hours, baby, please.”
I grin, unable to help myself. “Okay… I guess I won’t tell you how I’ve been awarded the Pell Grant for college then.”
I start to climb off, but his hands snap out and grab my hips, holding me right where I am. “Wait… what?”
He rubs his eyes and pushes up onto his elbows, suddenly much more awake. I hand him the letter, still smiling like an idiot .
Slade reads it quickly, then breaks into a huge grin. He pulls me down and kisses me, slow and warm and proud. “Drew, this is brilliant. Now you can actually enjoy the college experience without burning yourself out from a job on top of it.”
“And… I can pay you back,” I say quietly.
He frowns, looking up at me. “What for?”
I shrug, embarrassed by my previous behaviour. “All the bail fees.”
Slade scoffs, sets the letter on the nightstand, and suddenly flips us so he’s on top, caging me in with his arms. “Baby, you ain’t paying me a dime. You’ve already paid me back.”
I blink up at him. “I have?”
He kisses the tip of my nose, soft and fond. “Yeah. By bettering yourself, for you . For going to college.”
“I mean… I don’t start for another three months…”
He rolls his eyes, but he’s still smiling. “But you’re gonna. I know you are. You’re gonna be amazing.”
I chew my lip. “Well… do you, like… want rent or something?”
Slade laughs loud and bright, shaking his head. “Baby, no. Stop . What’s mine is yours, always has been. Besides, when my dad left me this house there wasn’t much mortgage left. All I really pay are the bills now.”
“Really? I never knew that.”
He raises his brows, amused. “You never asked.”
I tilt my head. “So… what should I do with it then? ”
Slade smiles, slow and easy, like he’s been waiting for me to ask. “Hmm… wanna go look at cars?”
I laugh outright, thinking he’s being ridiculous. “I can’t get a car with that.”
He raises one eyebrow, the expression so damn smug it makes my stomach flip. “I’m sorry … have you forgotten that I co-own a garage and have for many years?”
I frown, suddenly feeling stupid. “Um… no?”
“So you think I wouldn’t know the best place to get a good deal… and that you can in fact get a running car with four grand?”
My face heats instantly. I blush hard, embarrassed. “Right… obviously .”
Slade’s smile softens, but there’s still that teasing edge to it. “It won’t be anything fancy, but it’d be yours. It’d give you some independence. And on my days off I won’t have to drive your annoying ass to college.”
I laugh again, then let a smirk tug at my mouth. I wiggle my ass deliberately against him and say, “Oh… annoying, uh? Hmm, that’s not what you were saying about my ass last I heard.”
His eyes darken, just a fraction, and the shift in his expression sends heat rushing straight through me. He hooks one strong arm under my knee and pulls my leg over his hip, yanking me closer.
“You know…” he murmurs, voice dropping low as he leans in and starts kissing along my jaw, slow and teasing, “I had a long night. I think I’m gonna get a bit more sleep. ”
I whimper, annoyed and turned on at the same time. “Seriously?”
“Mhmm,” he hums against my skin, still kissing, still not giving me what I want.
I grin despite myself. “Uh huh… that’s why you’re holding me like this?”
Slade grinds up into me once, slowly, letting me feel exactly how hard he already is. “How about… I just lay down and let you take control?”
In one smooth motion he rolls onto his back, hooks his thumbs into his boxers, and shoves them down his thighs. He kicks them off and just lies there, stupidly hard, thick, and curved against his stomach, looking at me with that lazy, expectant smirk.
I stand up, blushing furiously, my own cock already thickening. “You know, maybe I’ll go and…”
I don’t even get to finish the sentence.
Slade wraps a hand around himself and starts stroking, slow and shameless, eyes locked on mine. “You better fucking sit on me… right now .”
A grin breaks across my face before I can stop it. “Yes, sir,” I breathe, already shoving my shorts and boxers down my hips in a rush.