Chapter 8 #2
Every time he calls me “mama,” it makes me blush. But it’s got a vintage charm to it that I love. “Alright, then. Let’s talk cars. Nineteen seventy was a pinnacle year for big-block Chevelles. Heck, it’s considered by many to be a pinnacle year among all muscle cars. Cougars, aside.”
He raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
I rack my brain. “What else? They’re highly valued, highly sought after, and fairly rare. Although nothing beats the 1969 Boss 429 Cougar for rarity.” Mic drop. There’s only one left in the world, and he knows it.
“Didn’t you promise you’d never talk like this around Calamity? You better watch out or you’ll break her heart.” Flooring the gas, a deafening roar fills the car. With a wicked smile, Travis shifts into gear, and Calamity flies.
We tear down Hollister’s Main Street to the cheering of local townsfolk. Well, some cheer while others shake their fists or canes in the air, cursing the noise pollution.
Travis doesn’t notice or care.
A couple of older women from church point me out in the car with overdramatic gestures and gasps, and I reflexively put my right hand up, trying to cover my face. I can already hear the vitriol they’ll heap into my pew on Sunday.
But then I catch myself. Instead of hiding behind my hand, I wave at them as we roar past.
We race down four eighty-eight, and he turns up the local country station, rocking out to the end of a Bocephus tune. He grabs my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine and grinning while side-eyeing me. “Did I really just see you wave at those church ladies?”
“Yes, you did, Travis.”
“I don’t know what the hell’s gotten into you, but I like it.”
I shrug. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about it, and I’m quite honestly tired of trying to fit the good girl mold. Or any mold for that matter. It’s hard enough being me without trying to please everyone else.”
“All I’ve ever wanted is for you to relax and be yourself, Faith. If part of that includes having me in your life. Well, you know I’m ready for that, too.”
My voice cracks as I say, “I’ve missed you, Trav. I got so used to seeing you all the time that I started taking you—and us—for granted. I’m sorry. I never should have done that.”
“You’re already forgiven,” he replies, his voice thick with emotion. “I missed you, too, Faith. I didn’t realize how much my life has come to revolve around you until we stopped seeing each other.”
Tendrils of desire flame through my veins, entangling my thoughts with images of kissing at the feed store. My heart pounds out of my chest as the world races by, and he belts out the lyrics to a Zac Brown Band song in grumbly, masculine tones.
Suddenly, he turns down the radio. “We’ve spent more than a year hanging out. But we’ve never been on an official date. Is that what we’re calling this?”
I giggle, squeezing his hand. “Well, I don’t want to rush into anything. But I think after three hundred and sixty-five days of being buddies, we can safely call this a date.”
“Thank God,” he says on an exhale. “That begs the question. What should we do?”
I pause, taking in his handsome profile for a long moment. He’s always more gorgeous in person. Neither my memory nor my imagination can do him justice. “Oh, I don’t know.”
“A movie? Dinner? Drive to Mount Shasta? I’m down for whatever.”
“Hmm. Well, in that case, I want to do something fun with you, Trav. Something a little wild and crazy. You know, what you said the other day. Howl at the moon or something.”
He rubs his hand over his chin, making scratchy noises thanks to his five o’clock shadow. The masculine sound sets my body on fire.
“Howl at the moon fun, you say?” he asks with a guarded smile.
“Yeah, like something you did in high school that I missed out on.”
I know that’s a tall order, and the look on his face underscores it. After Birdie left home, my mom homeschooled me, and for all intents and purposes, I disappeared off the face of the planet. At least to Hollister’s school kids. In other words, I missed out on everything.
Travis looks like his brain is working overtime.
“I’m trying to think back to that time and the stuff I did with my high school buddies.
I’ve already invited you to dinner without any luck, and you didn’t sound too interested in a drive-in movie.
Shit, what would eighteen-year-old Trav do right now? ”
A wicked grin lights up his face. “Okay, that would make you blush. Let me think of something a little more wholesome.” Suddenly, he glances my way. “I know just the thing. But you’ve got to promise you’ll relax and enjoy yourself.”
Curiosity consumes me. “Really? What is it?”
“You’ll see,” he replies, bringing my hand to his mouth, adoring my fingertips with the softest kisses. The action sends shivers of pleasure trailing up and down my arm to my heart. “But do I have your promise you’ll relax and have fun?”
“Yes, I’ve turned over a new leaf. Consider this the new and improved me.”
He shakes his head. “Please don’t say that. I like you just the way you are. All I’m asking is for you to try to stay in the moment and have a good time. Get out of your head a little. Deal?”
“Deal.”