Always Mine (Roommate Duet 5)

Knowing I can’t really depend on him anymore, and not wanting to keep asking my sister for rides, I decide it’s time to buy my own car. Before all this happened, Liam had said he’d test drive and look over any vehicle I wanted, but I refuse to ask him for anything now. While he’s tried to make small talk with me, I pretend he’s invisible. He knows he holds the number one spot on my shit list. I can’t stand to look at him, be around him, or even live with him anymore. If I hadn’t given up my apartment on campus and could afford to move out, I would, but I can’t, so finding a car to gain a sliver of freedom is my next best option.

Since school ended, I’ve been teaching more baby dance classes at the studio. While I’m not making enough to buy anything expensive, I have a couple of thousand dollars saved. At this point, I don’t care what it looks like. I just need something dependable.

Not wanting to be around anyone, I stay in my room and scroll through the Facebook marketplace for used cars. Most are incredibly overpriced while others aren’t so bad. Before I click out, I see a fairly new Honda Accord for sale within my budget, which surprises the shit out of me for how nice it looks.

I read the description and see the guy is getting rid of it because he’s volunteering with his church overseas. It seems like a solid reason, considering my dad has helped plan mission trips for members, and most of them end up selling most of their possessions before they go. Looking at all the pictures, I find the interior looks nice, and it doesn’t have super high mileage. I understand wanting to get rid of something before leaving. I sold my car for super cheap before moving here so I’d have some cash in savings. Honestly, I should’ve kept it but didn’t need transportation when I was living on campus. Plus the money helped me splurge on food during my first year of college.

Knowing this car is going to go fast, I message the guy to see if he still has it. Within five minutes, Nico replies back. I ask him about his trip and where he’s going and what he’ll do there. I find it absolutely amazing how selfless he is. I tell him I’d like to test drive the car and make plans to meet at the grocery store down the street in an hour. I’m beyond giddy thinking about finally having some freedom. I only wish I would’ve taken matters into my own hands a month ago.

After I get dressed, I schedule an Uber to take me to the bank so I can get the cash, then to our meeting spot. Nico arrives right on time in the Honda and parks.

With a smile on my face, I wait for him to get out and officially introduce himself.

“Maddie, right?” He grins and hands me the keys.

“Yep.” I look down at them in my palm. “I can take it around the block?”

He nods. “Yeah, go for it.”

I climb into the car, and he gets into the passenger side. Searching around, I look for the lever to adjust the seat, and he tells me where it is. I move closer to the steering wheel and adjust the rearview mirror. Carefully, I give it some gas and pull onto the main road. After driving it down the road a mile or so, I turn around because the engine sounds great. It doesn’t make any rattling noises or anything, but I don’t know much about cars to even know what to look or listen for.

When I turn into the parking lot, I’ve made up my mind. “Okay, I like it a lot. I want to buy it! What do I have to do?”

He smiles wide. “Awesome! Let me schedule an Uber to pick me up, and you can take it now.” Nico digs in the glove compartment and starts going through the paperwork. “Here are all the maintenance records, and I have a bill of sale for you right here.” He holds it up for me to see and fills it out, putting my name as the buyer.

I nod, beaming as he schedules a ride.

“Oh, do you have the title?” I remember that being a thing when I sold my car.

Nico searches in the middle console and back through all the papers in his lap. “I don’t seem to have it with me. I’ll have to check at home. I can drop it in the mail or get a replacement title before I leave.”

I smile and shrug. “Okay, that’s not a big deal.”

“Let me get your address so I can get it to you. I think I know exactly where it is.”