“Sam…”
“Hey, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” I repeated, slipping my hands into my pockets as I worked up the energy to say yet another good-bye.
This one should have been a casual courtesy—nothing more. But my chest ached at the thought of not seeing my nerdy neighbor for a few days. That was fucking crazy. And probably another sign that I really needed a vacation…or something.
“We should drive together,” Chet blurted.
“Huh?”
“We’re going to the same place. Mammoth isn’t that big. If we head out by five forty-five a.m., I can drive you to your cabin and still reach my destination before the storm. Since you have a bad limb and a propensity for tardiness, this will solve your problem.”
“Not quite. I’ll need wheels to buy groceries and stuff. I appreciate the offer, but—”
“You can borrow mine. I’ll be with my sister and her husband and some family friends. I won’t need transportation.” He gestured toward my Tesla. “And if you were planning on driving that…don’t. You need all-wheel drive and maybe chains too. Your vehicle is nice, but not suited to harsh weather.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’d planned on taking my truck. I parked it on the street in front of my neighbor’s house or sometimes in her driveway at her request. That wasn’t as weird as it sounded. She traveled a lot and thought a manly truck in her driveway would deter potential burglars. Bottom line…there was a good chance Chet didn’t know I had another ride.
And suddenly, I didn’t want to tell him. Hitching a ride with him to the mountains might be the only way I’d get to spend any time with him for a while, and for some reason, I really needed to be in his sphere. And no, get your mind out of the gutter. I wasn’t hung up on that blowjob.
Sure, it was the hottest sexual encounter I’d had in a very fucking long time and yeah, I wouldn’t mind a repeat. But my attraction to Chet wasn’t just physical. I truly enjoyed his company. There was something about his shy, yet steady presence that grounded me. He was a good man with a kind heart who didn’t think twice about going out of his way for a neighbor. He didn’t want or need anything from me. He just wanted to give. Like some kind of chestnut-haired, skinny Santa Claus. Go figure.
“Do you really want to drive together?”
He squinted and tilted his head thoughtfully. “I think it’s a good idea. We can take the carpool lane for part of the journey and of course, one car versus two means less carbon output. And shared company with light conversation always makes a trip seem shorter. If we run out of things to talk about, we can sing Christmas carols.”
“Whoa. I’m not singing Christmas carols,” I huffed.
“I am.” He flashed a sunny grin. “I’ll see you bright and early Tuesday morning…Sammy.”
Chet closed the SUV door and moved to the sidewalk, chanting, “Road trip, road trip” as he headed toward the house. I had to laugh. I’d apparently agreed to wake up at the ass crack of dawn and subject myself to hours of holiday cheer…and I was actually looking forward to it.
Who was I?
5
Chet
Asher checked the monitors fixed to the wall in the deserted lab. “The newest transmission is due within the hour.”
“Three twenty-three on Mars,” I commented, glancing at my watch.
“I can stay until Newton and the rest of team arrive. It’s late, and you should get some rest.”
“I’ll get plenty of rest with my family this weekend.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you’re going on a real vacation.”
“Yes, but I’ll be gone for almost a week. It’s the longest I’ve been away in years.” I gnawed at my bottom lip. “If anything happens, don’t hesitate to call.”
Asher lifted a brow. “Mars isn’t going anywhere, Chet. Don’t worry. We have everything under control. What time are you leaving in the morning?”
“Six. Earlier if Sam is ready,” I replied, unthinking.
“Sam? You mean…Mr. McSwoony?”
“Uh…yes. It’s not what you’re thinking. I’m simply doing a favor for a neighbor in need.” I gave an awkward half laugh. “In a twist, Sam is going to Mammoth too. Two cars heading in the same direction…it makes more sense to drive together. Better for the planet and all that.”
“Right,” he drawled, holding eye contact for a long moment.
“Asher, it’s not a big deal.”
“If you say so. But…I noticed you’re spending a lot of time with him and—”
“And his son,” I interjected. “Platonic time. Nothing of note. We talk about science and sometimes food. That’s all.”
And the rest of the time, I quelled the urge to throw myself at him. But Asher didn’t need to know that. Nor did he need to know that I’d been a nervous wreck in the week since I’d let a sexy Halloween story turn me into a libidinous pile of goo.