Gio

“Are you, like, a car guy?”

His brown eyes flash up. “Seriously? You don’t have to be a car guy to appreciate this beaut.”

His enthusiasm makes me smile. “Okay then.”

“Get in,” he commands. “We’re going for a ride.”

The interior of the car is impeccable, the tan leather feels like butter against my skin as I sink into the passenger seat. The center dashboard is replaced with what looks like a huge iPad. The whole car screams money.

Then again, Gio himself screams money

“You think you’re ready?” he asks before placing the car into gear.

“It drives itself right?” I ask, eliciting a smirk from Gio.

“Yeah, that’s one feature, but we’re gonna go fast.”

He pulls out of the garage and onto the long strip of uninterrupted road. “Hold on,” he tells me as he presses the pedal to the flooring causing the car to speed forward. The pick up is so quick it presses my head back against the headrest.

As quick as he hit the petal we’re going sixty, then seventy, then eighty.

“Yes!” Gio howls, beating his palm against the steering wheel. “That’s what I’m talking about.” his laughter fills the car. This is the first time I’ve seen him like this.

Wild.

Unfiltered.

Free.

Damn, did I love the sight of it.

His hair flows, the gel he uses loosened, he tosses me a wide grin as he continues speeding down the path. I take a mental picture, I want this image sealed in my brain forever. This is the way I like Gio DelGado.

“Slow, slow!” I laugh, finally coming down from the high of the fast car. “I choose slow now!” I tease.

He chuckles, looking at me with a sly grin. “Yeah right, little thief, you loved that.”

Little thief.

I hate the nickname, but it’s fitting.

He’s not wrong, I did love the speed, the car, maybe even the man driving it. “Fine. You’re right.” I fake pout. “My turn?”

His face meets mine, that wide grin still in place. He spins the Tesla around in the street, a move so quick it has me hanging on the side of the car. “Your turn.” he repeats.

I take my place in the driver’s seat, adjusting it so I can reach the pedals. Sitting in this car makes me feel rich and luxurious, something I don’t think I’ve ever felt before.

Gio is still smiling next to me as he settles into the passenger seat.

“Hold on,” I tell him. I set my eyes straight forward on the road and press the gas pedal, the car lurches forward speeding just as quickly as when Gio sat in this seat.

“Yes!” he hollers.

I understand the love for speed now. I feel exhilarated as our surro

undings blur by us. My body is pressed against the seat by the acceleration and I can hear Gio laughing beside me.

This is what freedom feels like.