I’m so embarrassed by the lump in my throat that I just smile and shake my head, trying to shirk off her compliment.
When she releases me, I step back to see Ben watching us curiously.
“Thanks again, Raelynn,” Trey says, throwing me a friendly wave.
I dip my head and start to head toward my car, already worrying over what a mess it is inside. The cleaning supplies that don’t fit in the trunk overflow into the back seat. My dress and apron from the diner are back there too. The passenger side is clear since Leanna was sitting up there all day, but when Ben opens the door and looks in, I can’t help but laugh.
“Will you fit?”
It’s a legitimate concern. The guy is somewhere north of six feet tall with shoulders that are probably twice the width of mine. This vehicle is minuscule compared to his SUV.
“Guess there’s only one way to find out.”
Chapter Ten
Raelynn
I watch as he attempts to shrink himself down to fit inside the vehicle, hunching his shoulders and curving his spine. When he tries to sit up straight in the seat, his head skims the roof. His knees are bent up, hitting the dashboard, and then he looks over at me as if to say, Well? Are you going to drive or what?
I can’t help but burst out laughing.
“You should see yourself. It’s like you’re inside of a clown car.”
His dark brow arches. “Are you going to start driving any time soon?”
“I can’t,” I say, unable to curb the laughter. Soon, there will be tears rolling down my cheeks. “If I drive now, I’ll…I’ll…”
I can’t even get the words out.
He stares at me with furrowed brows and fake annoyance. I know it’s fake because he’s fighting back a smile.
I inhale a deep breath and force it out slowly. “Okay. Phew, I’m good. I just won’t look at you while I drive, and I should get us there in one piece.”
Sadly, the diner’s not far from Dr. Sanders’ office. Before I even work up the courage to talk to Ben beyond asking him how his day was, I’m pulling up beside Leanna’s sleek sports car and putting mine in park.
“Thank god,” Ben says with a sigh of relief as he opens the door and tumbles out of the car. He stands to his full height and twists around, stretching out his back. His t-shirt rides up a little, just enough to afford me a quick peek at the side of his rock-hard abs. My cheeks blaze with heat and I whip my attention back out the front windshield before he catches me gawking. I feel like my eyes are the size of quarters when he rests his forearm on the roof of Nan’s car and leans down to poke his head back in.
“C’mon, I’ll drive you home in Leanna’s car.”
His demand catches me off guard, and I forget I’m trying hard not to look at him.
My gaze whips to his. “What? Why?”
“I don’t want you driving around by yourself this late. That highway is dangerous with the truckers barreling down it. This car’s so tiny they won’t even see you coming.”
I want to tell him I drive at this hour all the time, but I don’t think that’ll convince him of anything.
“I appreciate the concern, but there’s no need. I’m fine. Besides, if I go with you, I’ll be stranded back at my place, and I need to be able to get back to work in the morning.”
“I can have someone come get you.”
He has an answer to everything, doesn’t he?
“I’m fine, Ben.”
His head cocks to the side as he studies me. “Just curious, do you ever just do what you’re told?”
I smirk, making sure he hears me loud and clear when I reply. “On principle, I try not to let men like you browbeat me into falling in line.”
He grins. “Good. I like that.” He taps twice on the roof. “Now, let’s go.”
Is he serious?
I don’t even bother trying to hide my scowl. “Do you have faulty hearing or something?”
That grin doesn’t waver. “Nope. I’m letting you drive your car, just like you asked, Little Bird. But I’ll follow behind you, make sure you get back safe. It’s a win-win.”
We’re going around and around in circles. We’ll be here all night, warring over who’s the most stubborn, and I don’t have time for that. I lean across the console and prop my arm on the passenger side seat so I’m nice and close to him. “You know what? Go right ahead. Enjoy the view of my rusty fender for as long as you damn well please.”
Then I grab the door handle and yank on it. He moves just in time for me to slam it shut without hurting him in the process.
As I pull out of Dale’s parking lot, I’m high on how wonderful it felt to slam the door in his face. What kind of jerk insists on escorting a woman home? Hasn’t he heard of consent? Women’s rights? Hello, it’s the twenty-first century! If I want to drive in the dark on some shitty two-lane highway, that’s my right!
My fuming anger burns out quickly though. I’m not even five minutes from Dale’s before I start to regret not arguing with him more. The truth is, I don’t really care all that much if Ben wants to make sure I get home safe. It’s kind of sweet, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time anyone cared that much about me or my life.
My real worry is that taking Ben back to my trailer is crossing some kind of invisible line. I don’t really want him to know where I live or, more importantly, how I live.
Until now, he’s only seen me at the diner. There’s a nice padding between him and my real life. We talk and taunt each other, and occasionally, yes, we flirt, but bringing him back to my trailer, showing him this part of my life…it’ll ruin everything.
I can already imagine the pity on his face, and I don’t want to see it.
I rub my palms on the steering wheel, glancing back at Ben’s headlights in my rearview mirror.
Just leave.
Please.
But he doesn’t, and soon enough, we’re pulling off the highway and passing Sheriff Corbin’s farmhouse. I know what Ben’s thinking: This is where she lives? It’s not bad. In fact, it’s a pretty little house nestled on a nice piece of land.
Then I keep driving past it, around the bend. The compact dirt road starts to give way to one a little more cobbled together. Weeds sprout up in the divide between the tire tracks as we keep driving through a grove of trees toward the back of the property.
My headlights illuminate the beat-up trailer and I wince, taking it in with fresh eyes. I hate that I’m near tears right now. I hate that I have to feel shitty about where I’m at in life. I’m not a deadbeat. I didn’t screw up and get myself into a bad situation. Life’s just dealt me a bad hand time and time again.
I park and turn off the car, staying where I am for a beat and waiting to see if Ben will leave now that I’m home. What a blessing that would be.
He cuts the engine in Leanna’s car, and we’re plummeted into darkness. Out here in the country, there’s nothing but the moon and stars to lead me to my trailer door.
With a resigned huff, I grab my purse and my clothes from the back seat then head out into the night. Rocks and grass crunch under my shoes, and I listen carefully as Ben opens his door and joins me.