CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The Tavera family truck is beat up with a dying engine. Tobacco is all I smell even with the windows rolled down, and the scratched up leather seats are providing basically no comfort. It’s not like it matters, though, since Toro scooped me up onto his lap for the drive out.
I’m sure it’s a safety hazard since neither of us have seat belts on, but the way he’s holding me tells me it was more for him than it was for me in the first place. He’s nervous, that much is obvious. It’s not hard to imagine why he isn’t exactly eager to go.
He doesn’t speak and stands out physically. I can only imagine how he’s treated by other people when even his own family hasn’t exactly been there for him. I instinctively reach for his hand, squeezing it enough to let him know I’m here.
Within seconds he’s pressing his lips against my temple, arms wrapping around me to form my very own Toro-themed seatbelt. Alma is in the front seat driving, but I don’t think she cares that much about all this PDA.
We’re surrounded by fields of wheat and short grass. The sky is a perfect blue, clear and pretty. It feels weird to be out away from the farm again… The last time I was packed in a car like this all my friends were with me—and alive.
Sensing my discomfort, Toro mumbles something incoherent and holds on a little tighter. His touch is feather light, his body language making him seem so much smaller than he really is.
“What are you guys gon’ do on your little date?
” She asks, tapping her nails against the steering wheel.
Her hair is different today, pulled up into a ponytail with messy bangs.
She’s dressed differently too, looking more casual.
If I didn’t know any better I’d say she was trying to impress somebody.
“Eat,” Toro answers with his chin resting on my shoulder. “Caf… Café…”
Alma smiles at him in the rearview mirror. “Yeah? Which one?”
He doesn’t answer this time, looking at me all cute and confused. “We don’t know yet. But I did say I was hoping we could find a café… I miss coffee. Uh, iced coffee.”
“Still got that city boy in you, huh?” Alma teases. “But don’t worry. There’s a few. The townspeople really ain’t… It'll be fine. People are nice. Nicer than home.” Her voice trails off, attention shifting back to the road.
“Good.” I gently tug Toro closer to pull him into a cheek kiss. “We’re gonna have fun, Tor. Promise.”
My boyfriend exhales sharply through his nose, but I see the way a smile tugs at his lips. “Okay…” He sounds defeated, but I really do think we’ll have a good time. I think anything is better than lounging around his room all day cuddling in bed.
Not that I’d trade that in for anything.
Buildings begin coming into view and I perk up at having something new to look at. Peering out the window curiously, I watch as the town slowly gets bigger and bigger.
So many of the buildings are made with brick, but well maintained to the point of almost looking new. There’s an American flag waving off of every other store, sun beating down on concrete that’s probably gonna melt the bottom of my sneakers.
It’s actually really pretty in its own way, and I find myself growing even more excited when Alma pulls up to a parking spot. “Meet me back here at three, okay? Pa won’t like it if we’re late.”
Nodding, I go to drag Toro out of the truck before Alma stops me.
“Hold it,” she says while digging through her purse. She pulls something out—my wallet. God. I don’t even remember losing it. That all seems so far away now. “Take this. I fished it out of the ‘stash’ for you. Figured ya might want it.”
“Thank you, Alma.” My voice is quiet, the wallet returning to my pocket. She drives off, leaving Toro and I on the sidewalk. He’s holding on to me extra tight, going full clingy mode. Our eyes meet and he smiles weakly at me, and that’s when it actually hits me.
This is so out of his comfort zone.
But he’s doing it for me. Toro doesn’t want to go to town. He doesn’t want to be around strangers. He just wants to be with me in his bed away from the rest of the world. But still, we’re here, because he knew I wanted it that badly.
“Tor?” I squeeze his hand, fingers intertwining properly. “Thank you for taking me on this date. I’m really happy.”
One winning smile is all it takes for his body language to shift entirely. He still looks unsure, but he seems more okay with it all now. The smile he gives me is brighter than before, and I have to push myself up on my tippy toes to quickly give him a peck.
“I have the best boyfriend ever,” I say as we begin walking down the sidewalk. It’s not oven-hot outside today, so being out in the sun is actually enjoyable. For some reason I thought people would be staring at us, but because this is real life of course nobody cares that we’re holding hands.
Normally I’d use my phone to figure out where to go, but that hasn’t been an option for a while now so we sort of just aimlessly wander around. It’s fun, looking into windows and being a normal couple. It makes me feel oddly satisfied, like something I didn’t even know was missing has been found.
“Nico…?” Toro’s quiet again, leaning in so I can hear him better.
I glance over at him. “Yeah?”
“Café,” he points towards a building. “Look.”
Squinting, I ignore the sun trying to blind me and make out the little green sign that says café. When I beam he beams too, kissing my cheek. “I would’ve missed that entirely. Good eye, Tor. Reading that book is proving to be good for you.”
“Like book.” He murmurs, letting me begin dragging him towards the building. He’s a little closer now, scanning every person who walks by. Toro is the cutest little guard dog ever. “Like when you… read.”
“I like reading to you, too.”
Toro stops, head turning back down to me. “Really?”
“Of course.” The expression he has is different. I feel special, and I hope I make him feel the same way. “Now can we go get some coffee before I kill myself?”
He flashes me a toothy smile. “...Dramatic.”