Nothing Special V (Nothing Special 5)

“That sounds real nice. I’ve never done that.” Tech’s smile was beautiful, and Steele was glad he’d chanced asking his uncle for help.

“Is your uncle married?” Tech asked.

“No. No wife, no kids.”

“Is he gay?”

Steele barked a laugh. “No. He’s married to bettering the community. That’s all he does. Oh, and working out.” Steele huffed. “Maybe he is gay.”

Tech’s laugh was infectious and they made small talk for the duration of the drive. He liked Tech’s truck; again, it was something unexpected from him. Steele looked over when he heard a loud beeping. “What’s that? You out of gas?”

Tech looked at him like he was silly. “No. It means someone’s riding my ass.” Tech looked up in his rearview mirror.

“Okay. This car is like Kit,” Steele joked.

“You mean from Knight Rider?” Tech grinned. “Damn, how old are you?”

Steele punched Tech in his shoulder. “Shut up. That show was great.”

“Um. Sure. Thirty years ago.”

Steele scoffed. “That wasn’t thirty years ago.”

“You’re right, probably more. I bet the episodes are only available on VHS.”

“Oh, fuck you. That show isn’t that old.”

Tech raised one brow at him. “Secret.”

“Yes, Shawn.”

“How old is the television show Knight Rider?”

The car responded immediately like it’d been expecting the question.

“Knight Rider first aired its pilot episode September 26, 1982. Thirty-four years ago.”

Steele could barely control himself. That was crazy. “You show off. Damn, babe. Did you install that?”

“It’s just the Google app installed in the car’s computer. Same way it works on your smartphone.” Tech bit his bottom lip again but little did he know, that drove Steele wild. “Annnnd, I kind of borrowed some of Tesla’s 2019 software, and a smidge of Mercedes.” Tech gestured with his forefinger and thumb.

“Did you steal their technology and put it in your truck?” Steele’s eyes widened.

Tech looked out his window. “I didn’t steal it… I borrowed it. Taking it on a test drive, if you will. Besides, there’s no crime here. I’m not using it to make a profit or trying to copy it and sell it. It’s for my own personal use. Like downloading music from a free site. As long as you don’t make a CD and sell it, it’s all good.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure neither of those companies would think it’s all good.”

“Who are you, the police? I thought I was on a date,” Tech taunted him.

Steele was liking Tech’s playful side. The things his brain could do astonished him. He was riding in a loaded vehicle with highly expensive, stolen technology, which, from what Steele could understand, wasn’t even available, yet. “Why do you call it Secret?”

“Because it’s one of my best kept ones.”

“Well, not anymore.”

“But I trust you.” Tech looked at him and Steele saw he wasn’t joking anymore.

“Thank you.”

“Do you know where we are?” Tech asked out of nowhere, probably to tamp down the seriousness.

Steele looked around. “No.”

“You haven’t been studying your map.”

“I do know.” Steele sat up. “Um, let’s see, that’s Georgia Tech, right…? So we’re on, seventeenth, no, tenth street. Up there is Northside.”

Tech nodded that he was right.

“See. I told you. I’m ready for my quiz, anytime.”

“If you say so. It’s not going to be an easy one.”

Steele turned his body towards Tech, eyeing him suspiciously. “Did you give everyone else a quiz?”

“That’s not important,” Tech answered.

“Uh-huh. Like I thought.”

Tech

Steele told the hostess that Councilman Steele made a reservation for him. She nodded and hastily showed them to a secluded booth on a romantically lit patio at the back of the restaurant. It backed up to the park and the screen was plenty big enough for them to see. The movie was already playing but Tech didn’t mind. He was too busy taking in the ambiance. There were a few booths outside but there was only one other couple, at the other end. He slid into the high-backed, curved booth that had a small fire pit in the middle, giving them just enough warmth against the brisk fall air. The lawn wasn’t packed like it was during the summer. Most of the movie watchers were in their folding chairs closer to the screen with blankets draped over their shoulders or laps. With Steele nestled in close to him in the comfortable, leather-padded booth, he had the best seat available.

Steele made sure they were close enough that their thighs were touching and opened the menu, sharing it with him. A young waitress came over with a pleasant smile and filled their water glasses. “Can I start you gentlemen off with something to drink?”

“I’ll have a Corona,” Tech ordered.

“Let me get a double shot of Crown on the rocks.”

“Sure. Be right back with that for you,” she said, turning quickly and heading back inside.

“You hungry?” Steele asked him.

“I’m very hungry,” Tech almost moaned. He didn’t know why he said it like that, but he let the double meaning hang out there.