Chapter 12
Chapter
Twelve
ARLO
Why do I need to learn how to drive again? This isn’t a life skill I really need, is it?
I signed up for online classroom instruction, completed that during my downtime which has helped with how lonely I am in LA once Cali goes to bed.
While Ves does call to check in more, I also need to be able to fill the hours while I’m alone.
I’m trying to own my shit, even when my anxiety tells me I’m a waste of space because I miss him.
I passed the damn writing test with my eyes closed. Ves couldn’t stop telling me how proud of me he was, but now I’m concerned he may bite my head off if I kill his daughter in this car.
She’s been sitting quietly in her car seat coloring, ignoring the world around her.
I’m grateful Calista can entertain herself while I white knuckle the fuck out of this steering wheel.
I was moderately alright in the parking lot while the instructor reminded me of where everything was in the vehicle.
I even went around the lot twice to get used to the gas and brake pedals.
I didn’t think I was actually going to get on a road today!
Sweat drips down my ass crack as I tremble behind the wheel, and I’m trying not to panic as Miss Erin tells me to change lanes.
“I have to?” I squeak out.
“Afraid so,” she says, shrugging unrepentantly.
Goddamnit! What if something runs into the street or I can’t see or…
Sucking in a breath, I check my mirrors, glance over my left shoulder as I signal, and switch lanes without anything catastrophic happening. Don’t worry, I’m sure there’s still time, I tell myself.
“I have a brake and a steering wheel on my side in case I need to take over. You’re doing great. Don’t get cocky, and take a left at the four way stop. Tell me what the rules of the road are at a stop like this.”
I mumble my reply as I wait behind another car. I’m a very anxious driver, but I don’t think I’ll ever be one who is affected by road rage. This would require me to not give a fuck about getting my ass kicked if I pissed off the wrong person.
I care entirely too much to ever do that.
“Breathe, Arlo.” Ugh, she’s so damn patient.
My nostrils flare as I do as she tells me, and then I’m checking my surroundings. Thank god I did, because even though I have the right of way among the cars, several bikes choose to cross in front of me. I keep my foot firmly on the brake as they pass, wincing as someone blasts the horn behind me.
“Ignore them. I always do. You’re not going to run over bicyclists.”
“Running people over is bad,” Calista says absently. “I need to remind Daddy of this a lot.”
“I bet you do, honey,” I murmur, checking again before taking my left. The guy behind me rides my ass illegally, tailing me as I drive.
Miss Erin grins as the beep-wail of a police officer’s siren cuts through the air, and I can’t help but chuckle under my breath. I like her. Despite how much I hate this lesson, I appreciate the way she teaches.
“This is why you shouldn’t break the law.” Miss Erin checks the mirror, nodding with satisfaction. “The only reason someone would tail you is if they were tailing you to give you a ticket for being in the wrong. However, you were perfect. Eyes on the road, Arlo.”
“Yes, ma’am.” It doesn’t matter that I’m already doing this, it’s an immediate response.
My heart pounds for the rest of my forty-five minute session, and I sigh as she instructs me to practice parking.
“Not too bad,” she murmurs. “This concludes our lesson. You’ll be navigating the highway before you know it.”
My eyes betray how much this scares me, but she’s already exiting the vehicle.
Shit. I survived my first lesson. Yay me.
Getting out, I help Calista out of the back seat and also take out the car seat. They don’t offer them through the company, and I found out many instructors won’t allow you to have a child with you during your lesson.
Thank god Miss Erin didn’t seem to mind. She said the real world is full of distractions, I may as well practice my driving skills in an accurate representation of it.
“We’re taking a ride share home, Cali.”
“Okay! Can I get a snack soon?”
“Yes. You were awesome during my lesson. I have a fruit bar. Will this tide you over for the next few minutes?”
Her coloring book is back in my bag, and her hand is firmly in mine as we begin walking toward the sidewalk. It’ll be easier for me to use the app on my phone to call a car. I’m getting better at using these things, but I still worry I’m going to fuck it up somehow.
Or worse yet, maybe something will happen out of my control. What if the person picking us up is a killer? Or what if I order food and the driver gets it wrong? Then I might be dead, or Cali might cry because she’s hangry and upset.
Ugh, it’s exhausting to be me sometimes.
Putting down the car seat, I hand Cali the bar from the front pocket of my bag once she agrees it’ll hold her over and I plug the information needed into the app.
The amount of sweat pouring off my body is disgusting. I feel clammy and wet at the same time due to how stressful my lesson was and I need a shower.
“Once we get home, I’ll grab some of the fruit I chopped up earlier. Then I need a little quiet time. Do you think you can color a little longer, and then we can walk to the park afterward?”
“I can do that,” she mumbles, her eyes almost crossing as she chews. Poor kiddo, she was really hungry. I’ll put some rolled up ham on her plate too.
Once the ride share slides to a stop, I check that the license plate matches who is supposed to pick us up.
Working quickly, I install the car seat into the middle seat and help Cali into it.
I hate to make people wait, but the driver is patient enough.
A quick glance tells me I have everything I need and I close the door and collect Cali’s trash.
“Seat belt.” Cali’s reminder is met with a quick pull of my restraint belt to click it into place, and then the driver pulls away to take us to our destination.
Fuck, I need a nap.
I’m dragging by the time I hustle Cali and I inside the building. I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, but my hands are currently too full to answer. Ves said he might call to see how my first lesson went.
It’s probably him.
By the time I get inside the penthouse, I completely forget he called.
“Okay, snack time and then I’m going to shower.”
“It’s the middle of the day. Don’t you usually do that at night?”
Calista is insatiable with her questions and I nod patiently as I begin pulling out containers of fruit from the fridge.
“This is true, but I feel hot and sweaty. Driving lessons are hard,” I explain. “It’s a lot to remember while you’re also paying attention to everything around you.”
“It’s only hard because you’ve never done it before.” Ugh, she’s such a great cheerleader.
“Yep. You’re right.”
Setting her snack in front of her, I pack everything else away, but not before popping a strawberry into my mouth.
“Mmm. So good.”
Cali grins at me, as she bites into a grape, and I remember to pull her coloring book and crayons out of my bag. This thing is still a staple in my life since I’m lugging essentials for both Cali and I as we move through our day.
“If I take too long, you can have a few minutes to watch Bluey.”
It’s the least I can do. She’s right, I’m breaking the flow of our day, but I feel so gross.
The phone buzzes again in my pocket and I groan.
Shit. I try to watch my mouth around Cali, though I’m sure she’s learning the entirety of her more unsavory vocabulary from her father. Stepping away as she occupies herself, I pull it out to answer it.
“Hey.”
A request for video pops up and I wince as I press accept.
“Hey yourself. Why are you so sweaty?”
“It turns out I’m a highly anxious driver, Ves. Even my balls are sweaty. It’s so gross. Cali is set up with her snack and coloring book. I’m really sorry to do this, but I promised to take her to the park later—”
“Why are you apologizing? I know she can entertain herself. You’re not in trouble. Use my shower and take me with you. I have a shelf for drinks built into the stall.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I see Cali is completely checked out, and I doubt she’s even paying attention to us.
“I can’t use your shower,” I hiss. We aren’t exactly tiptoeing around Cali about our relationship. She squealed when she saw that we both got a kiss when he dropped us off at the train station, and reminded her father not to screw it up. I think I turned seven different shades of red that day.
He’s been really busy and I miss him like crazy. I just have to suck it up until we can go see him again. A part of me secretly hopes his tour is put on hold and Ves decides to move us down. However, I know better than to dream.
I really dislike his boss. Cali told me he’s kind of creepy. She’s a very good judge of character, which means she clocked his ass.
“Why not? Don’t you want to smell like me?” His lips curl in that cocky smirk he loves to give me. I bet he knows exactly how hard it makes my cock, too. Dammit. “I’ll help you feel better.”
Squinting at the phone, I decide to see where this is going.
“Cali?”
“Mmhmm? Are you talking to Daddy?”
“Hey, honey.”
Realizing we have the same pet name for Cali, I blush hard. I am so far gone for Ves, it’s ridiculous.
“Hi! Arlo says he’s super stinky. But, I’m trying to be su…supp…”
“Supportive,” I supply, pulling my lips in to keep from chuckling. She’s so cute, even when she’s being mildly insulting.
“Yeah! I noticed he smelled a little, but it’s not nice to tell people when they’re doing their best.”
“That’s great, Cali.” Ves’ shoulders shake as he laughs without sound, and I stick my tongue out at him. He raises his eyebrow at me and I snap it back in. Dammit. Am I in trouble now? “Since Arlo is so stinky, he’s going to use my bathroom, alright? I have better shampoo and soap.”
“Okay, Daddy!”
Dying a million times of embarrassment, I manage to grab a robe I bought with my last paycheck and hustle into Ves’ bedroom.
“You both are awful,” I hiss.