“Easy there.” Derrick laughed, but he also shifted his weight from foot to foot, undoubtedly uncomfortable at the assumption he’d be back. Would he? My chest clenched. I wanted that. So badly. And yet, what were the chances?
“Arthur better pick some good songs again next year. I can’t wait to see what I win!” Taylor bowed like there was an imaginary cheering audience in front of him.
“Me too.” Derrick glanced my direction and the ache in my chest intensified.
Maybe. Maybe we’d get next summer. It was the most my hope-impaired heart was willing to wish for, but as the kids danced around us, I also resolved not to give up too soon. Derrick said we could figure things out as we went and perhaps that could mean delaying goodbye until we never had to say it. A guy could dream.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Derrick
“Finally free.” Arthur waved as Oliver’s and Roger’s SUVs loaded down with kids and luggage departed the parking lot. “Love the kids, but man, I thought they were going to insist you perform an oil change to delay leaving.”
I could also remember being their age, not wanting the fun to end, so I’d been happy to answer their endless questions. And it was easier answering car questions than ones about when they would see us again. Taylor had somehow managed to get a maybe out of me in response to an invite to his birthday, but I’d dodged other requests and invitations and tried to keep their attention on the car.
“Hey, it was nice to have fellow car geeks showing enthusiasm for my ride,” I joked to get rid of the tightness in my chest as we watched the others drive away.
“I show enthusiasm for your ride.” Arthur gave me a look so hot it was a wonder the finish on my car didn’t bubble up.
“I know and I love that.” We were one of the last cars left in the lot, so I felt safe giving him a fast kiss. “Speaking of your enthusiasm, you want to drive until we need gas?”
I figured that was about as long as I could play passenger, but he had asked on our way here and I was feeling way more amenable these days about Arthur touching all my things, car included.
His eyes went almost comically wide as he stuck out his hand. “You’re going to let me drive your baby?”
“Sure.” I passed over the keys. Worst that might happen was something to the clutch if he hadn’t driven a stick in a while, but he was worth a new clutch if it came to that.
“Damn.” Arthur whistled low as he slid behind the wheel, leaving me to head around to the passenger side. “I would have given you the fake-to-real boyfriend upgrade sooner if I’d known this was one of the perks.”
“Go easy on me.” Taking a steadying breath, I buckled up. “I’m trying to be less of a control freak.”
“I noticed.” Adjusting the seat and the mirrors, Arthur smiled at me in the rearview. “Living for today, having fun, and letting me drive? You’re a new man.”
“Trying. You inspire me.”
“I do?” He sounded genuinely surprised, and that humility was part of what I really liked about him. He seemed unaware of how damn good and special he was, making it a new mission of mine to show him appreciation.
“Sure you do. And yeah, the kids might have been all over my car, but they adore you. Look how many drawings and camp crafts you collected.”
“A fair number, yeah.” His cheeks were bright pink before he carefully backed out of the parking spot. “I like being the goofy uncle. And a number of parents told me they enjoyed the show, so maybe my message got through.”
“Keep at it,” I said firmly. Stretching, I tried to loosen my jaw and spine and trust his driving. “You’ve got an important lesson for them.”
“Thanks. You believing in me, that means a lot.” He had a little smile as he expertly turned from the lake road onto the rural highway.
“I do.” Sitting easier now, I managed to suppress a sigh of relief. “And you weren’t kidding. You actually can drive a stick.”
“I know my lack of aptitude for outdoor activities adds to the whole hopeless-nerd persona, but all those hours playing video games honed my reflexes.” Proving his point, he smoothly changed gears. “And cars are closer to instruments than kayaks.”
“True.” I had to chuckle. And truth be told, watching him drive was turning me on a little. “I wanna see you make music sometime.”
“That can absolutely be arranged. A week without work has me majorly jonesing for my equipment.”
I snorted. “A week without your equipment would have me craving something too.”
“Dork.” He tilted his head my direction. “If you hook my phone up to the stereo, I made a playlist for the return trip.”