by J. C. Allen
Went out with Tara and Matty to run a couple of errands. Be back soon!
Love you!
Eve
XOXO
Fortunately, by the time I got downstairs, the power of the modern era had won out, and Tara had hailed an Uber for us. I imagine the Uber driver must have took a few quick deep breaths when he saw Matty opening the front door and plopping down, but he was able to retreat to his own little world in no time, the two quasi-siblings bickering as usual.
When we got to the shop, we went to the back as usual… and then kept going.
“I’m takin ya to the garage,” he said. “We ain’t ever go there too often. Most of our boys bring their own bikes and just park ‘em outside. But obviously, what yer ‘bout to see can’t be out too much.”
He went through a door as he told the two of us to wait. Tara looked like she wanted to pout but bit her lip, perhaps realizing the door would open on us before she finished her sentence.
Sure enough, one door from the left, the garage door slowly opened. I saw the sporty red bumper first with the license place “SS KNIGHT,” and then saw Matty come to the side as the rest of the car came into view. I was in awe.
“Nineteen-sixty-nine Chevy Camaro Zee El One, baby,” he said, giving the vehicle the softest pat I had ever seen him produce. “Dominick Knight, founder of the Savage Saviors, owned this baby. It’s been sittin’ here for God knows how many years. And Eve, yer gonna drive it today.”
A cherry-red 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
An actual 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
A real, actual to goodness, drivable 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Wow!
It was one of the classic cars my father used to rave about wanting before he died. Looking at it now, I could see why. It just looked…
Derek’s gonna be mighty impressed when I drive it.
When I drive it…
In that moment, I was suddenly terrified to drive this Chevy Camaro myself.
Though I knew how to drive, I suddenly felt like I’d never even touched a steering wheel, like I’d forgotten how to even turn a damn ignition key. This wasn’t picking up a rental car with a few thousand miles on it from Enterprise. This was… this was…
It was such a gorgeous car!
I took a deep breath.
“Purty, ain’t she?” Matty said.
“You’re tellin’ me!” Tara said, but I had tuned both of them out.
I’d fallen into my own world, feeling slightly in disbelief and stunned at the idea that Matty would think Derek would want me to drive this. There were so many concepts in that thread that I could barely keep up, and I just…
Come on, girl, you can do this!
I forced myself to climb in behind the wheel. I slowly put my hands on it, as if feeling like an alien who had just discovered cars for the first time ever.
“Ya sure you can handle this?” Matty said, looking more nervous than I felt.
I looked over at him outside the car door, gulped, and nodded. It’s just a car. It’s a very nice car. But. It’s just a car.
Do it for Derek.
“I can,” I said, not letting my nerves ruin this. “My father taught me how to drive on cars like this, well… not as expensive as thisone, but—ya know, I think I can do it! Yeah!”
Matty arched an eyebrow, chuckled, and came around to the passenger’s side.
“Ye’re not exactly inspirin’ confidence in me, girlie,” he said.
But he’s in the passenger’s seat. That’s no accident.
“I can drive it,” I told him. “I promise.”
Matty looked at me for a while as Tara got into the back seat, making some comments about how she couldn’t believe a motorcycle club-owned car could smell so clean. Finally, Matty smiled.
“I believe in ya,” he said. “But do me a favor, would ya? Let me ride with ya to Derek’s. I’mma make sure yer good to go.”
“Of course,” I said. “And Tara can even come too.”
“What?!?” she said, not fully engaged in the conversation.
We just shared a laugh as I turned the engine on, backed it very slowly out of the garage, and took it for the drive back from where we had come from.
The car rode like a dream.
I was glad to see that Roost began to enjoy the ride, realizing that, yes, I could definitely control the car with ease. I had been proud of my driving skills and even though I hadn’t been behind a wheel in quite some time, I hadn’t lost the skill. It also helped that the car moved with a fluidity and ease that reminded me of a ballet dancer who could perform the most extravagant stunts with nary a sound.
Of course, I didn’t say that out loud, lest Tara have some words about me being too intellectual for a car like this.
By the time I’d pulled into the parking area of the condo, I was in love and convinced I had to have this car. I wondered if I could convince Matty to sell me the car. Then again, it wasn’t Matty’s… but I’m sure he would have something to say about who got ownership of the car.
“Well, that was awesome.” Tara said. “You made this car your bitch!”
“Yup, she really did, didn’t she?” Roost said, grinning proudly at me. “Ya did alright, girlie. I’m happy to let ya take Derek wherever ya want to yer heart’s content.”
I slid out of the car, quickly locking it.
“Thanks, Matty,” I said. “I’ll treat her well.”
“I ain’t got any doubt about that.”
As I turned and headed to the elevators, I wondered if Derek was still sleeping, I hoped he was, honestly. He definitely needed the sleep and I didn’t want him to wake up without me.
I turned to see Tara and Matty standing back a bit.
“What’s up? Where are you two gonna go?”
“Dunno, but it ain’t with ya,” he said with a wink. “Ya got yerself a date to get ready for. Don’tcha worry about us. I’ll keep this gal in line.”
“Go have fun!” Tara said, waving me off. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure big hunk over here doesn’t do nothin’ stupid!”
I just laughed. Someday, the two would compliment each other. And it would be the most hilarious thing to see the two of them strain as they did.
“Alright, thanks again, Matty,” I said, smiling. “I’m kind of in love with the car as a heads-up.”
“Oh?” Matty raised an eyebrow. “Well, talk to Derek. I’m sure he’ll give it to ya.”
Wait… just like that?
“Huh? I thought you said you were taking care of it,” I said, confused. “Aren’t you…”
Matty just put his palms up, gently telling me to hush.
“Derek’s dad had me keep it since Derek was more fond of earning his own things,” Roost said. “He wantedto give it to Derek, ‘specially since Dustin wrecked the Firebird he’d given him on his eighteenth birthday, but the boy was too damned proud. Too damned stubborn, if ya ask me, but… anyway, I don’t get to use her as much as I’d like. I don’t wanna take it out on dangerous missions, and let’s just say it’s too nice a car to be taking out for the sorts of dates I have.”
“Don’t want to get all that ass-stink in the backseat?” Tara shot, then, seeming to actually hear her own words for the first time, announced, “Hey! That could mean two things.”
I rolled my eyes and gave Matty an apologetic look.
“You’re absolutely sure?” I said. “You know—”
“Keep askin’ me and I might change my mind,” Matty said with a smirk. “Ya get the point?”
I nodded with a broad grin, in utter disbelief at my good fortune. Yes, I got the point. But that didn’t make it any less surreal.
“Well, thanks again,” I said. “And I think I will ask Derek about it.”
“Whatever makes ya happy,” Matty said with a wave.
Not wanting to make Derek wait any longer in case he was awake, I turned back and stepped into the elevator. I smiled, glancing down at the keys in my hand. That really…
that really did happen, huh?
I hoped Derek would say yes to letting me keep the car, she really was a dream. My father would have loved it, and I had to say, I really loved it too. But for now, I wanted to concentrate on the date.
As the doors opened, I was happy to see that my note hadn’t been touched. I hoped with reasonable certainty that meant Derek was still asleep. A quick glance into our room confirmed that.
I couldn’t lie, looking at him sleeping, I thought he was just so adorably handsome and so cute. He looked like my knight, my actual Knight, resting in preparation to defend me once more. It was… it was quite arousing.
No, none of that! Let him get his rest, Eve.
I made my way back to the kitchen before my hormones overwhelmed my thought process. I began to rummage, hoping Derek would have something I could use for a picnic basket. I found a cooler and smiled, pulling it out. This will suffice.
Really, anything with Derek will more than suffice. But glad this is working out so well.
It took fifteen minutes to get everything prepared. I’d been pleasantly surprised to find that Derek had already owned swim trunks so we wouldn’t have to make a stop. I didn’t want to give him any hints, and even something as simple as going into a clothing store might have given away the final destination a bit too soon.
I slid our swim stuff into a large tote bag, adding towels, and sunscreen as well. When I’d finally been satisfied at what I’d packed, I decided it was time to wake Derek up. I moved back to the bedroom, sliding into bed and pressing my lips to his forehead.
It was incredibly tempting to wake him up the way he’d woken me up the day before. In fact, I let my hand “accidentally” fall near his belly, and it took a conscious effort on my part to not touch him inappropriately. Once we got started, I knew there would be no turning back.
“Time to get up, sleepyhead,” I whispered.
“Mm, do I have to?” he asked, his voice gravely with sleep.
Part of me was pretty sure he was still asleep and talking as if in a dream. At least it would have been a pleasant dream by the tone of his voice.
“Yes, I’m afraid you do,” I said, smiling. “I’ve planned out an amazing day for us.”
“Oh? You planned one?” he asked, opening his eyes and looking at me. And now to give him something even better than the dream. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough to get everything ready,” I said, grinning. “Even had time to go run an errand with Matty and Tara.”
“Shit,” he said, sitting up and running his hand through his thick hair. “Didn’t realize I’d gone so long. Sorry, babes. I didn’t mean to sleep for so long.”
“It’s okay,” I said, sliding out of the bed before the temptation won out. “I’m glad you got as much sleep as you did, you needed it.”
“Right,” he nodded. “Thanks for letting me sleep, I guess. How bad is the kitchen? Did Roost and Tara clean us out?”
“Nope, it’s all safe and secure,” I said, laughing. “I caught them in the midst of their raid and commandeered them before they had a chance to finish.”
“Commandeered, huh?” he asked, grinning. “And what did that entail?”
“Guess you’ll just have to get dressed and see,” I said, grinning.
“Oh, well, who said anything about getting dressed.”
He reached for my shirt and started to pull me down. I almost went with it, feeling myself getting aroused and wet already. But, no!
No!
I would not have sex now. Not because I didn’t want to—oh, heavens, how I fucking wanted to—but because our whole plans to go to the beach would vanish in a snap. Derek wouldn’t even realize his father’s car was in his garage until he went out for another mission.
Which hopefully is never.
“Yeah, you’re gonna have to wait,” I said as I moved to the door.
“Babe, I know you want—”
“Doesn’t matter!” I practically sung as I grabbed the equipment and moved to the elevator, the better so Derek would have no choice but to come after me.
Then again, in the privacy of this place, Derek probably wouldn’t have much shame coming after me buck naked.
I waited by the elevator with the tote and cooler, watching as Derek, fortunately, scurried to finish dressing. It didn’t take long before he was heading towards me, his eyes falling on the tote and cooler. I watched as he tried to figure out where we were going and hoped he wouldn’t be able to get much from the two items.
“Are we going on a picnic?” he asked.
“You’ll just have to see,” I said.
“Alright, guess I deserve that,” he said, smiling at me as he picked up the cooler and tote bag.
“Hey! I could’ve carried those,” I said, pouting.
“I know,” he said, shrugging one shoulder. “I just wanted to do it for you. Do you want everyone to think I’m an asshole for forcing my girl to carry the heavy stuff? Besides, I can’t let you dictate everything.”
I glanced at his face as he tried his best to look hurt at even the concept. I broke out into laughter at the sight and turned away, hitting the call button. He stepped up beside me, grinning and joining in the laughter.
“How we taking all of this, anyway?” he said, glancing down at the bag and cooler. “My bike’s not exactly… well, I guess we couldn’t take the bike anyway. Would be quite the daredevil adventure to—”
“Don’t you worry about anything, I’ll be driving,” I said, grinning mischievously.
“You’re driving?” he blinked.
I wanted to blurt everything out there. I wanted to tell him that I had his father’s car, that I’d asked Matty for it, that I had procured it for me.
But damnit, for as often as I had to deal with his surprises, he was going to have to deal with mine once in a while.
“Oh don’t look so shocked, I do have my license, you know.”
“Right,” he said, following after. “I just didn’t know you had a car. I can’t imagine that the Falcons would allow you that kind of mobility, you know?”
“I didn’t,” I said. “Well, not until now. And thanks to Matty.”
“Thanks to Matty? Did he—”
“ Just wait, okay?”
“Alright, alright,” he said, laughing.
I smiled, glancing over at him and glad to see how excited he looked. I had wanted to surprise him with today, and I could see that it was working. It was nice to have that kind of cycle wherein my happiness made him happy, which made me happy, and so on and so forth.
As the elevator doors opened, I stepped out, leading him towards the parking lot.
“Where’s your car?”
“You’ll see,” I said. “Stop asking so many questions! And besides, it’s not exactly my car.”
“Not your car? What do…”
His voice trailed off as a mixture of surprise and excitement grew on Derek’s face. I suspected that he may not have even looked at this car since his father had died, and while it may have given him a measure of grief before, this now brought on pleasant feelings.
“My father’s old…” he began.
“Yup! Matty had been taking care of it up until now,” I said, grinning. “I hope I can drive it today… I mean, if you don’t mind, that is…”
“Y-yeah,” he said, nodding and then smiled at me. “She deserves to be driven again. Sorry, I just haven’t seen this car since… well, since my father.”
I wasn’t quite sure if the smile was a content smile or a smile to mask sadness; perhaps it was a little bit of both.
“I hope this doesn’t upset you,” I said.
“Not at all,” he said, running his hand over the hood and smiled. “I really missed this vehicle, forgot Roost even had it, honestly.”
Well, that answers that question, I thought with an amused smirk.
“Matty said your dad told him to take care of it since you had your bike, I guess,” I said. “I’m in total l
ove with the car, I should add. My dad also had a fascination for vintage cars and this one was one of his dream cars, actually.”
“Really,” Derek said, a bemused smirk on his face. “Truth be told, I love it, but it’s never been for me. I’ve always preferred the simple. Give me a chopper, give me a cheap car, and I’m good. These… it’s never been my taste. Dustin had it before he died. Now… I was just waiting for someone to take it. And I guess I have my answer.”
“Hmm?” I said.
I had a feeling of what he was going to say, but I didn’t want to presume anything.
“I insist you keep it,” he said, smiling. “For both our fathers.”
I nodded, loving the sentiment that much more.
“You’re sure,” I said.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Like I said, I’m not going to be pulling it out anytime soon. Plus, let’s be honest, I wouldn’t mind a few more surprise dates from you.”
“I think we could arrange that,” I said with a smirk.
Sliding into the driver side, I watched as Derek slid in beside me, readjusting the seat, and commenting that he could tell Roost was the last one to have sat there. I laughed at that. Deciding not to tell him all the details of procuring the vehicle. and turned the ignition, beginning to drive towards our destination.
Opening the car up on the highway was like my father’s dream come true for me. She really drove like a dream. I smiled, glancing over at Derek, glad to see that he was also enjoying the drive.
“A little bit different than your bike, huh?”
“A tad,” Derek said. “But this time, it’s me looking at you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh, heavens, my boyfriend wants to admire my body. How dare you!”
We shared a laugh as we continued down the road, trading more light-hearted humor that had absolutely no relation to what had transpired the night before or anywhere else. I couldn’t totally shake the thoughts in my mind of the previous days—emotions weren’t like shackles that I could just discard; it was more like static electricity that I had to discharge at some point—but at least this drive, this date, and this Derek were making things a little bit easier.