Chapter 11 #2
“She’s soaking wet!” Travis complained. “Think of the interior.”
Spoken like a true gearhead.
“Later,” Andi yelled, launching a balloon at Asher.
“We’ll be right back,” I called.
Rimmel waved and nodded because Andi was already back to her game.
The flatbed and the Corvette headed off down the paved road between the main house and our house so it could turn around, and we went toward the new Bronco.
It was pretty sweet, with a glossy black finish, matte black removable top, and custom lift kit to accommodate the thirty-five-inch all-terrain tires that were upgraded with a set of rims I was pretty sure weren’t supposed to hit the market until spring.
The word brONCO was blacked out across the grill between the round headlights, and the rock sliders on the sides were heavy-duty.
Gamble obviously had impeccable taste.
“The door isn’t latched,” Travis said, pointing to the driver’s door. He was right. It wasn’t fully latched.
“The guy who unloaded it probably didn’t shut it all the way,” I said, going over to peer in the windows. The interior was all black too. “I call shotgun!” I hollered, running around the back as Trav climbed into the driver’s seat.
Trent was already there, holding the passenger door open for me. “As if I’d ever dream of taking shotgun,” he teased.
I grinned and slid in past him, making sure to brush the front of his jeans on the way. His chuckle cut off when he shut the door and slid into the back.
“I can’t believe you let him get me a car,” Travis said, hands gripping the steering wheel as he gazed around in awe.
“No one lets Gamble do anything,” Trent said from the back seat.
“Yeah, so make sure you call him Grampy a few times just to drive him crazy,” I said.
Travis clicked the seatbelt into place and started it up. “If we upgrade the intake and exhaust, it will sound even better.”
Did I mention I really loved this kid?
“Better get rolling before Lorhaven and the flatbed come back up.” Trent reminded him.
Travis took off down the road, excitement pouring off him in waves. I gazed around the interior, snooped through the glove box, and noted the heavy-duty floor mats.
“Here they come,” Trav said, and I looked through the windshield to see the truck and Vette coming up the road.
“Good thing she’s got big tires,” I said, and Travis cut the wheel, going off-road and up through the grass.
“This is fire!” Travis said. “Seriously. No cap.”
For us oldies, that just meant he really liked it. Like seriously.
I looked it up on that click-clock app they all love so much.
“How’s it handling?” Trent asked from the back seat. “Make sure you give yourself time to learn how it drives.”
“I know, Dad. Cars are like women. Every one of them is unique.”
Feeling my eyebrows shoot up, I leaned around the front seat to look at my husband. “Did you teach him that?”
“I thought you did,” Trent replied.
I pursed my lips and turned back.
“You been talking to Lorhaven?”
Travis laughed.
That was a yes.
“Don’t worry. It applies to men too.”
“How diverse of you, son,” I remarked.
“Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice.” Travis flicked a glance in the rearview. “Right, Dad?”
Now that was definitely something my husband would teach him.
“You got the rizz,” Trent called.
Travis made a sound. “Don’t ever say that again.”
I peered into the back once more. Trent shrugged. “I learned it on the Tok.”
After a short drive, Trav turned it around and went back to the party. We still had a cake to cut. And a nineteen seventy Mach 1 waiting to be revealed.
“You like it?” I asked when he put it in park near Lorhaven’s Corvette.
“Are you kidding? It’s the GOAT.”
“Well, don’t tell Uncle Romeo that because he’s under the impression he’s the GOAT,” Trent joked. Then, “Make sure you tell Gamble thank you again.”
“I will.” Travis agreed and then hesitated to get out. “Dad?”
“Yeah?” I answered, knowing he was talking to me.
He rotated in the seat, eyes meeting mine. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
Trent seemed to melt into the shadows of the back seat, also knowing this was a question for me.
“Yes, I’m one hundred percent okay with this,” I confirmed. “We know how much you wanted a car of your own.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I can give it back if you don’t—”
“I don’t want you to give it back. I want you to drive it. Make it yours. We…” I went on, including Trent. “Know you’re ready.”
Any reservation that Travis had blew away like dust behind a tire on a dirt road. He smiled and hugged me fast before yelling, “Thanks, Dads!” and jumping out of the car. “Dudes,” he said to Blue, Jax, Asher, and Jagger as they all came jogging over.
Trent laughed under his breath and got out, opening the passenger door for me. “That went well.”
“The GOAT,” I muttered. “Just wait ‘til he sees the inside of our garage.”
Trent threw his head back and laughed. “Don’t be jealous, baby. He will love your car more.”
“It’s our car.” I reminded him. “It’s from both of us.”
He shut the door, and we stepped around the hood of the Bronco when Rimmel came running over, her face white as a ghost.
“Rim?” Trent said, rushing toward her. “What’s the matter?”
“I can’t find Andi,” she said, voice high and breathless.
“What?” I asked, hair on the back of my neck standing straight up.
Rimmel shook her head. “She was just there playing with the other kids. And then suddenly, the girls were calling for her, and now no one can find her.”
“Okay, well, she couldn’t have gotten far. Maybe she went down to the house to check on Panda,” Trent said, a strong voice of reason as I looked around frantically for a flash of her dark hair.
Rimmel’s eyes filled with hope. “You think?”
“Yeah, she wanted to bring her up to the party, but I told her to leave her at home,” T said. “I’ll go down there right now.”
My heart was pounding, ears ringing as clammy sweat coated my palms. Trent’s right. She probably went to check on that damn cat. She’s fine.
And then a very distinctive scream pierced the late-afternoon air.
Andi.