Chapter 17
LANEY
We’re driving through the city, and the traffic seems heavier than normal. My emotions are all over the place, but with Burton in the car, I can’t do my normal routine of blasting music and singing along at the top of my lungs.
“Did I do something to upset you?” he asks softly a few moments after we’ve driven in silence.
I let out a long breath. “You didn’t have to pay,” I say, trying to keep my voice from wobbling.
He looks surprised and opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it meant that much to you. It seemed like a simple way to thank you for inviting me out.”
Now I feel like a jerk, but I can’t fully let it go. “I appreciate that. It’s just that I can’t really get them much since they have all they need. Those insignificant moments are a way for me to pay them back for all they’ve done for me.”
Burton frowns. “You got mad at my situation because my parents want me to pay them back. But you don’t find it weird to be on the opposite side?”
After a deep breath, I say, “It’s different. The situations are almost opposites. I don’t like that your parents demand you pay them back. My grandparents have never asked for anything in return for raising me. I want to do it of my own free will.”
He nods, looking like he’s processing it. “Why did you seem upset when we were talking about the app?”
“The adoption app?” I say, focusing on the road.
“Yeah. I said that it was like two social media platforms, and you shut down.”
He saw that? How did he detect something so simple?
“I was embarrassed about being so involved in a website about animals. My ex thought it was super weird, but that’s how my grandma and I bond. She loves anything to do with animals, and while I like them, she could sit and talk about them for most of the day, every day.”
Burton frowns. “And we didn’t talk about them anymore than we did while talking about the app. I’m sorry, Laney. For all of it. I thought I was helping, and I wasn’t.”
I give him a small smile and raise one hand to wave, like it’s no big deal. “It’s fine. I mean, I didn’t think about your point of view. And I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate the meal, because I do.”
“Well, let’s figure out another gift we can give your grandma.” He pauses for a moment. “Coupon booklets are our best bet.”
I smirk at him but shake my head. “You are insufferable.”
“Thank you for talking to me. For telling me what I did that was off.”
Something about his tone sends off an alarm in my brain.
“How did you notice I was different?” I ask, curious. I don’t have siblings or close family, aside from my grandparents. And they’re not that observant, mostly because their eyesight isn’t the greatest.
Burton lets out a breath that’s full of so many emotions. “I learned to read body language really well growing up. It was vital to know how certain members of my family were feeling. It’s great for my sport, just not so great for day-to-day life, since I’m constantly reading the room.”
I shake my head. “It sounds exhausting, but at least you aren’t oblivious to how others are feeling.” Like my ex-boyfriend.
Burton directs me to the parking lot where he left his truck earlier, and it’s nearly empty. He gives me a smile and opens the door to get out of the car.
“Thank you for coming and for helping at my grandparents’ home. I don’t know if they would’ve finished as quickly without you.”
“Thank you for letting me in. For allowing me to be there.”
My car engine makes a strange sound, and I turn to Burton with a frown. “What’s wrong with it?”
“You should be okay. I’ll drive behind you in case anything happens, though.” He gives me a small smile before shutting the door.
We make the two-mile trek in a little over ten minutes, and I don’t hear the sound again. Burton opens the hood and checks it out anyway.
“I don’t see anything that’s off, and it sounds like it’s running well. I wonder if one of the fluids had something clogged for a minute?”
Giving him a small smile, I say, “Thank you for checking it out. Maybe I should’ve taken a class on mechanics instead of self-defense.”
With a chuckle, Burton says, “I don’t know. From how my nose feels, I’d be afraid of you. What do you have tomorrow?”
I pause and turn, only a few feet away from him in my driveway. “Since the hockey team lost in the second round, their season is done. But my contract has me working with the baseball team throughout the summer and into fall, so we leave for a long road trip in the morning.”
He frowns, but I’m not sure if I’m just reading into things too much.
“How long will you be gone?”
“I haven’t gotten the full itinerary, but I think it’s close to ten days. What about you? Working and box lacrosse?”
He nods, smiling only barely. “Yeah, back to the grind.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t have to work tonight.”
He nods. “That’s because I have to work a double tomorrow. When I found out about this service project, I knew I’d be too tired to work after, so I traded with someone.”
“That was probably a good idea,” I say.
“Well, Laney Loo. I must bid you adieu.” He bows and stands up with a smile. “Have a great night and safe travels.”
I walk over before he can move and give him a hug. “Thank you for everything.”
I take in way too many details about the man before me. He’s several inches taller than I am, and he smells like the wood he cut today. I’d be okay having his arms around me for a very long time.
Leaning back, I try to see into his eyes. He’s quiet, his eyes searching mine.
For a moment, I feel like we’re being pulled together like a magnet, both of us leaning in so closely that I can feel his breath on my skin. I close my eyes, waiting for our lips to touch, but I jump when a voice across the street calls out, knocking my forehead into Burton’s chin.
“Burton! We need your help in here.”
I reach up to touch his chin. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I’m a big klutz today it seems.”
He leans his forehead down to mine and says, “I’ll see you again soon, Laney. Be ready for a barrage of coupons coming your way when I do.”
I laugh and say, “I don’t know if you’ll ever let that go.”
His voice drops to a whisper and says, “Like I said, no one has ever done something like that for me before.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I want to say something, but after all the admissions he’s given me today, there’s too much emotion to speak.
Burton lets go and gives me a little wave before heading across the street.
I liked the guy before, but things are moving like a runaway train and there’s no way to stop it now.