Ah, shit.
Was the old man trying to make me cry? He was the one who gave me a job when I desperately needed it, and here he was making it seem like I was the one doing him a favor.
Hank made me feel something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Pride. The kind of pride that made you feel like a better version of yourself. For the first time in a while, I wasn’t the guy who failed.
“Thanks,” I managed gruffly.
“That’s not all I’ve got for you.” He pulled open the top drawer to his desk and grabbed my watch. “Good as new. Sorry it took me a while to get it back to you. It took a lot of tinkering, but I got it to work.”
The time was set correctly and the hands moved around the face. Holding it up to my ear, I listened to the old familiar ticking. A comforting sound.
“This is awesome.” I smiled as I strapped it to my wrist. “Guess I know who to come to if it gives out on me again.”
“I hope you do. I’d love it if you came back to see us, even after you’re a big-shot college student.”
The mention of my impending school year didn’t cause excitement like it used to. In fact, I was surprised when my stomach tightened with dread at the thought of leaving this town, this job, and Mackenna. I shook it off, blaming the weird mood on lack of sleep.
“Oh, by the way,” Hank said, pulling an envelope from the back pocket of his coveralls. “Your paycheck.”
I couldn’t contain the smile on my face as I folded it and stuffed it into my jeans. I was still grinning like a fool when I hopped up into the semi where Travis was waiting.
He looked over at me from the driver’s seat. “Buckle up, Jimmy. Your life’s about to change.”
With a loud rumble, the rig roared to life. Travis was right about the semi having power. I could feel the roaring engine all around me through the seat, through the floorboard.
As we drove away from Tolson, I discreetly pulled the envelope out of my pocket. My first paycheck. There wasn’t a ton left over after Hank deducted what I owed him for my car, but it was more money than I had before.
It was enough to do something that was long overdue—take Mackenna on a real date.
I’d wanted to cover the damages on her car, too, but she wouldn’t let me. Luckily, when I mentioned what happened to Hank, he said it was ‘on the house’ as long as I put in the labor. Said it’d be good practice for me.
And it was good practice. Not only that, but it helped me put my energy into fixing what had been done, instead of having murderous thoughts about some asshole I’d never met.
Memories of the night before flashed through my mind as we made it out onto the interstate. The way it felt to be inside of Mackenna bare was mind-blowing and intense. Sex had never felt like that, and it wasn’t just because we didn’t use a condom.
I could pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with her. When lust turned into something deeper.
I’ll always know it’s you, she’d said, then she brushed her thumb over my bottom lip.
That one touch.
I felt it all the way to my soul.
If I hadn’t been lying down, it would’ve brought me to my fucking knees.
I wanted to tell her, and I almost blurted out those three words. But telling Mackenna I loved her the first time my dick was inside her seemed like an asshole thing to do.
So I kept my mouth shut and tried to show her instead.
As I moved on top of her, I looked into her eyes and swore I saw the same love reflected back at me.
I was pulled from my daydreaming when some static came through the CB radio, and I went back to appreciating the experience of riding in a semi for the first time.
The four-hour drive flew by as Travis and I listened to music, and talked about everything from our hometowns to our women. He was excited about his wedding and having babies with his wife. Apparently, they planned to start growing their family right away.
Before I knew it, we were at our destination, and Travis was hooking the trailer back up to the rig. He walked me through the process, saying terms like fifth wheel and kingpin. In less than twenty minutes, we were back on the road.
When we stopped at a truck stop down in Effingham, I used the restroom while Travis paid for the fuel. After I came out, I grabbed a Dr. Pepper and a bag of chips from the back of the store.
I was waiting in line to pay when my eyes zeroed in on a small rotating display on the counter. More specifically, a necklace dangling among a wide assortment of jewelry. It caught my attention because it immediately reminded me of Mackenna.
When it was my turn to pay, I toyed with the little purple starfish on the silver chain.
If I bought this for her, was I breaking rule number one? Mackenna said not to get her flowers because it was a waste of money. Did that apply to necklaces, too?
Fuck it.
I just knew she had to have this.
Decision made, I plucked it off the stand and slid it toward the cashier with my soda. Then I pointed at the box of Magnums behind the counter. “Those, too.”
Maybe tonight’s date wouldn’t be a total crapshoot after all.
On the way to the dress fitting, Beverly gave me a quick rundown of everyone who would be there.
Brielle was a bridesmaid and she was engaged to Colton, who was Travis’s best man. Ava, Brielle’s daughter, was the flower girl. Travis’s mom, Karen, wasn’t in the wedding party, but she was getting fitted for a special ‘mother of the groom’ dress. Hank was also a groomsman, and Ernie would be walking Angel down the aisle, but they weren’t allowed to come today—because, girls only.
And Beverly was the very proud matron of honor; she reminded me three times during the twenty-five-minute trip.
As soon as I stepped through the door of the small bridal shop, I was bombarded with all the new faces.
Brielle was attractive, with dark hair and brown eyes. She greeted me with a handshake before introducing the equally beautiful four-year-old at her side. In matching pink sundresses, Ava was Brielle’s mini-me.
When Brielle told me how much Colton liked Jimmy, and how things had been easier for Hank and the gang since he started on at the shop, I felt happy and proud.
Because that was my boyfriend.
Ava tugged on my hand and I glanced down at big blue eyes. “Did you know I get to wear a princess dress two times?” She held up two fingers. “One time with Angel, and one time with my mom.”
Brielle mouthed behind her hand, “Flower girl.”
I laughed.
Then I was ambushed by a hug. Wavy blonde hair covered half my face, and I had no other choice but to return the embrace of the affectionate stranger.
When she pulled back, I could only conclude that this was Angel. Her name was fitting. With a cherub-like face, she had large blue eyes and slightly rounded pink cheeks.
“It’s so great to meet you,” she said, bouncing a little from excitement, and her enthusiasm made me grin.
“You too,” I told her. “Beverly has nothing but great things to say about you. In fact, I think she’s trying to set us up right now.”
“Damn straight, I am,” Beverly confirmed. “You two should be friends.”
Angel nodded. “I agree.”
Karen simply introduced herself as ‘the mom’ before putting an arm around Angel, like she was claiming her as her own.
Then Angel clapped her hands. “Everyone is here. Now, who wants to see my dress?”
A chorus of squeals erupted in the area outside the dressing room as Angel emerged from behind the curtain. Stepping up on a pedestal, she smiled as everyone fawned over her dress.
It was gorgeous and she looked perfect. The cream-colored fabric had an overlay of lace, giving it an antique feel. The shop assistant came up behind her and loosely pinned her hair up, then finished off the outfit with a wide, light-blue ribbon around her waist.
Angel pivoted in front of the three-way mirror. Her hands skimmed over the lace and
some of the pearl beading around the sweetheart neckline.
When she turned back around, her eyes were red-rimmed and brimming with tears.
“Angel, dear,” Beverly said as she pulled a pack of tissues from her purse. “What’s wrong? You don’t like it?”
“I love it,” Angel responded, her voice squeaky from trying not to cry. She took a tissue from Beverly and blew her nose. “A year ago, I never would’ve thought I’d be surrounded by loved ones at such an important occasion. It means a lot to me. Karen, Beverly, Brielle, Ava.” Then her eyes made it to me. “Mackenna. Thank you all for being here today.”
I swallowed hard, her sentimental state contagious. From what Beverly had told me about Angel, it wasn’t difficult to conclude that she didn’t have a family. I’d almost declined the invitation to come because I thought I wasn’t welcome. Now I was so glad I said yes.
When I moved to Tolson, the last thing I wanted was a social life. I didn’t want wedding invites, friends, hugs from strangers, or a boyfriend.
Now I had all those things.
For a long time, I had shut off my emotions, saving them only for song lyrics. When I was writing, those were the times I let myself feel.
But something was happening to me. I couldn’t seem to turn it off like I used to.
My phone buzzed in my lap, and I looked down to find a text from Jimmy.
Jimmy: We’re going on a date tonight. Be ready at 6.
Jimmy and I hung out all the time but we’d never gone out on an official date, and the thought made me nervous. I wasn’t sure how to dress or act because I hadn’t been on a real date in years. Would we go out to a nice restaurant?
I probably needed to put on something better than leggings.
Another text came through.
Jimmy: Whatever you’re thinking, lower those expectations. Really. Lower them a lot. I hate to disappoint you but we won’t be going anywhere fancy because I’m broke as a joke.
I huffed out a laugh at his honesty and returned with an honest response.
Me: That sounds perfect.
When I picked Mackenna up for our date, I didn’t give her time to ask questions about where we were going. Just grabbed her hand and pulled her to the passenger side of the ‘saggin’ wagon’.
Taking advantage of the unseasonably cool weather, I rolled the windows down as I took a back road out of Tolson. One of the things I loved most about the Midwest was the fluctuating weather. Some people hated how it could be 95 degrees one day, then 72 the next. They didn’t like the inconsistency.
But I liked a little change of pace every now and then.
Plus, it gave me a reason to see Mackenna sitting next to me while the wind blew through her hair.
She smiled over at me, the sinking sun behind her. Bright orange light filtered through her dark strands, making them look like they were on fire.
She was so gorgeous it took my breath away.
Right then, I wanted to confess my love for her. Right there, on a country road surrounded by cornfields, I wanted to tell her she was making me feel something I didn’t even know was possible.
I wanted to let her know rule number three was completely fucked.
Instead, I removed my sunglasses and plopped them onto her face. She grinned as she pushed them up on her nose.
How could I possibly go on living my life without her after the summer was over?
The answer was I couldn’t. Not an option.
Problem was, I didn’t know how to convince her to stay with me. The best plan I could come up with was to show her how good we could be together. Show her that it didn’t matter if we were in the same town or 300 miles apart.
I’d still love her regardless of where I lived.
We neared our destination and I slowed before turning left onto a narrow gravel road. I came to a stop about a quarter of a mile down, parking the car between tall trees on one side and big round haybales on the other.
Keeping the windows down, I turned off the ignition and let my eyes travel over to Mackenna. This was the first time I’d ever seen her in a dress. It was white with yellow sunflowers, and the hem just barely reached her knees.
I was in the middle of speculating what kind of panties she had on when she spoke.
“James Peabody Johnson, are you taking me parking?”
I laughed. “Sort of. To make up for the fact that this is probably going to go down as the crappiest date in history, I come bearing gifts.” Reaching into the back seat, I picked up the paper sack. “Now, if you hadn’t already smelled it, there’s pizza in the back,” I told her before raising the first item out of the bag. “And I have wine.”
When I held up the bottle of Strawberry Boone’s Farm, Mackenna snorted. “And how did you buy wine when you’re not old enough?”
“I didn’t. Travis did. Besides, it’s for you. I’m the designated driver tonight.” Smirking, I kissed her before removing her next present. “Don’t get mad at me for the next one, okay?”
She gave me a look. “It better not be flowers. We already talked about that.”
“It’s not.” Grinning, I put both fists in front of me. “Pick a hand.”
Mackenna’s lips tilted up as she tapped the right. For once, she guessed correctly. When I opened my hand, the starfish necklace dangled from my fingers.
Her jaw dropped open. “You got me jewelry?”
“Well, yeah,” I said as it swung back and forth between us. “It reminded me of you.”
“Why?” She tilted her head to the side.
Barking out a laugh, I rubbed at my jaw. “You might get pissed when I tell you… You know in the morning how you like to… ‘cuddle’?” I asked, putting air quotes around the word.
“There’s nothing wrong with snuggling,” she shot back defensively, blushing bright pink.
“I agree with that. But you take it to champion-level cuddling. Like, if there was a contest, you’d blow everyone else out of the water. You’re like a starfish. You know, how they have a bunch of limbs and all those little suction cups and they just—” I spread my fingers and made an obnoxious sucking sound.
Laughing, Mackenna grabbed my hand. “Oh, my God. I get it, okay?”
“So, you’ll wear it?”
She responded by turning her back to me, gathering her hair up so I could get to her neck. Just as I finished hooking the clasp, she said, “No one’s ever gotten me jewelry before.”
“Never?”
Shaking her head, she glanced at me over her shoulder. “Well, one Christmas my aunt gave me a silver heart locket, but I’m pretty sure it was a re-gift from the year before.”
“You deserve to have nice things.”
“You didn’t have to do all this.” She turned to face me while fiddling with the starfish.
“I gotta bring my A-game.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m poor.”
She giggled, and my favorite dimple appeared. “Stop saying that. Money isn’t everything. Besides, your extremely large ego makes up for it.”
“I’m really sorry I can’t take you out on a fancy date.”
“Jimmy.” Bringing her hand up to my face, Mackenna did that thing again where she rubbed her thumb over my bottom lip, and my heart gave a hard thump. “I’ll be honest with you. I don’t like extravagant dates. If you haven’t noticed, I don’t really like being around people all that much.” She looked around at the scenery, then her eyes found mine again. “This is the best.”
“There’s one last gift,” I told her, lifting the box of Magnums. I hoped getting them wasn’t too presumptuous, and it occurred to me that Mackenna might be sore from the night before.
When her lips parted, eyes flaring with lust, I knew I’d made the right decision. Taking it from my hands, she ripped it open and took out one of the small square packages.
“Whoa.” I stopped her and gestured to our dinner. “Don’t you want to eat first?”
With a sexy smile, she shook her head. “Pizz
a can wait.”
I set the pizza box on the dashboard before hopping out of the car, then I folded the back seat to make a large area for us to lie down.
As I spread out a fuzzy white blanket, I gave Mackenna a cocky look. “The saggin’ wagon has its perks, huh?”
Grinning, she crawled over the middle console into the back with me and held up the condom with raised eyebrows.
Amused by her eagerness, I quickly shed my clothes, thinking she would do the same. I was surprised when she simply removed her white cotton panties, then turned around on all-fours. She wiggled her sunflower-covered ass at me, and all I had to do was lift the dress to get the irresistible view.
Rolling on the condom, I ran a hand down her smooth backside before giving her ass a squeeze.
“Are you sure you want to do it like this?” I asked, giving my dick a tug as I looked at her glistening pussy.
Doggie-style was a fairly dominant position. I knew I broke down some major walls with her last night, but still. I didn’t want to do anything she wasn’t ready for.
She sat up and looked at me over her shoulder. “You don’t always have to be so careful with me. Not anymore.” Then she whispered, “Feel how wet I am, Jimmy.”
Well, okay then.
Reaching around the front of her body, my hand caressed the inside of her thigh before my fingers slid through her folds. She was drenched.
She fell back onto her hands and arched up, offering herself to me. I ran my tip along her slit, spreading her wetness around before I pushed into her heat.
It felt different with the condom on. Still really fucking good, though. This position made her pussy feel unbelievably tighter.
“Oh, my God,” she panted. “You’re going so deep.”
I didn’t bother telling her that I wasn’t even all the way in yet. Using my thumbs, I spread her apart, loving the way I could watch my dick pump in and out of her.
Once I was fully seated, I ground myself into her while rubbing tight circles over her clit.
The Good Guys Box Set: TRUCKER, DANCER, DROPOUT, and A Trucker Wedding Page 66