“You’ll hear from me.” He chuckled, a warm sound that washed over any lingering wistfulness I felt over him turning my offer down. And now I wasn’t sure what to hope for. I liked the idea of him coming, but not if it meant setting myself up for a hopeless crush on the last guy I should be longing for.
Chapter Seven
Derrick
“This is a terrible plan.” I greeted Arthur at the ferry station with the complaint because it saved me having to figure out how exactly one greeted a fake boyfriend. None of our target audience was around—just the usual ferry traffic, people heading for boats and buses. But was I supposed to keep the act going at all times? I wasn’t sure, and I particularly didn’t like the part of me that was demanding I greet Arthur with a hug or something more.
Back tight, I ignored those impulses and led the way to my car. I’d been up early to go claim it from the buddy who lived off base and who stored cars for a few of us when we were deployed. I’d taken it for a wash and oil change, and now it gleamed in the summer sun.
“Oh, come on. It’s a great plan.” Arthur threw his overloaded bag in the back seat. He was back in more familiar attire—a T-shirt featuring woodwind instruments duking it out with horns and loose jeans with messier hair. But still hot. Damn it. “And no more grumbling. It’s a gorgeous day for a drive, and you’ve got a sweet ride.”
He whistled low as he circled the car, blatant appreciation for my classic Dodge Challenger in his eyes. The red finish with black details really was eye-catching, and driving the car always lifted my mood.
“Thanks. Did a lot of the restoration on it myself.” Because I was deployed so often and had lived mainly on base, I didn’t need a commuter car. Indulging myself in a classic a few pay grade promotions ago had been a rare splurge for me, and Arthur’s appreciation of my hard work made my chest warm.
“And thanks for not making me ride with Calder and his crew.” Arthur opened the passenger door but didn’t seem in any hurry to climb in.
“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I made you ride with your brother?” I managed a smile for him. Might as well get in the habit. The decision to drive myself had been far easier than the decision to come in the first place. I liked having my own wheels, my own way to leave an event, and Calder was bringing two friends from base. No way did I want to be stuffed in the back seat again with Arthur practically in my lap. There was only so much temptation a guy could take.
“Are you the kind of boyfriend who parts with the car keys?” Grinning impishly, Arthur tilted his head.
“Not a chance.” I jangled my keys as I headed for the driver’s door.
“I’m just saying, you probably haven’t driven in months.” He wasn’t wrong, but I merely snorted. No matter how long I’d been at sea, I never forgot the pleasure of an open road and the purr of a well-tuned engine. And even Calder didn’t get to drive my baby. Arthur, however, was determined. “I could help you out with that. My brothers made sure I could drive a stick.”
“Good to know.” I pointed at the passenger seat. “Get in the car, Arthur.”
“And no kiss hello? I’m wounded.” Laughing, Arthur slid into the seat. Despite his leaner stature, he had the same long limbs as his brothers and moved with a surprising grace given how distracted he could be at times.
“I think I’ve had enough PDA now to last a lifetime.” I waited for Arthur to buckle up, then backed out of the space and headed north. I kept my voice light, but I wasn’t kidding. The last few days had been endless jokes and teasing about my viral welcome home, and if I hadn’t already regretted the deception, all the attention would have done it. And honestly, the gossip was a huge reason why I’d messaged Arthur that I was in for the reunion. The trip couldn’t be any worse than sticking around base.
“That’s just a shame.” Arthur used an exaggerated scolding tone as we sped past the outskirts of the base.
“How do you figure?”
As I stopped for a red light, he winked at me. “You’re too damn good at kissing to keep it all to yourself.”
“Think so?” The back of my neck heated.
“You looking for compliments?”
“Nah,” I said, even if I kind of was. He’d seemed so singularly focused on the audience that it was nice to know that the actual kiss had been tolerable for him.
“Seriously, though, how bad was the teasing on base?” Arthur asked.