“Oh no. Where can I get one now?”
“You likely can't. I think all the auto parts stores are closed. But I can give you a ride to your place.”
“I don't really want to leave my car here, though.”
He scratched his chin as he thought about this. “You're right, this isn't the best area. Okay, how far is your place?”
“It's about three miles from here.”
“You can drive it without the air filter just for that short distance.”
“It'll work?”
“It will, it's just not good for the motor. But it's only three miles, just take it slow. I'll follow behind you and make sure you get back safely.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Coach Vinson.”
“Call me Wade. Seriously.”
I blushed and saw a glimmer of something spark in his eyes as I did.
“All right…Wade. Thank you so much.”
He smiled warmly. “No problem! Just looking out for one of my star players.”
I got into the car and cranked the starter, and the motor fired right up. I couldn't help but smile; at least this problem was sorted out – almost. All thanks to Wade. Handsome, talented, white knight Wade.
Damn. I needed to stop thinking like that. I cleared my mind and focused on driving. The car felt entirely different now, and I had no problem getting back. When I pulled off the road as I reached my place, Wade pulled up next to me and motioned for me to roll down the window.
“Glad you got back safe!” he called.
“Thank you so much,” I replied.
“Are you free tomorrow morning?”
His question caught me off guard and I didn’t know what to think or say. “Um, yeah, I am.”
“I'll pick up an air filter and come by and install it for you. I'll see you at 10, that all right?”
“Oh my, you really don't have to. I-”
“I want to,” he said, cutting my sentence short. “So I'll see you at 10?”
“All right,” I replied.
He smiled and drove off – and I couldn't help smiling, too.
Chapter Six
Wade
“Ah, these old Fords just keep on rollin', if you take good care of 'em. But I see out front you drove here in a new Beemer?” the mechanic said as he handed me the air filter for Eryn's Ford.
“The Ford isn't mine. I'm just helping a friend out.”
“Ah, yeah. Well, hey, at least your friend's car is a lot cheaper to fix if something goes wrong than that German monster you're driving!”
I chuckled. “That's true, that's true.”