Page 45 of Escaping Our Reality

Chuckling, he stands upright and spins my chair in circles as he walks away.

I lick my lips. “Anyway, as I was saying, I have something for you. But I’m not gonna give it to you until you promise that you’ll accept it.”

“Is there a reason that I wouldn’t accept it?”

“Yes, you being a butthole is the reason.”

He slams the hood to my vehicle, laughing uncontrollably. “Lulu, do you ever cuss? I’ve not heard you utter one single curse word in the time we’ve known each other.”

“Cursing is not expected of me, so I don’t do it. If you want me to break that habit too, it may take a little bit of time. And don’t change the subject. We’re talking about me giving you a present. It’s rude to turn down a present, so you have to promise to accept it.”

“I’m not gonna promise that. Tell me what the present is and then we can discuss it.”

Unhappily grunting, I root around in my purse for the old cell phone I grabbed earlier at my house. Standing tall, I walk overto him, holding it hostage behind my back. “Hold out your hand and close your eyes.” He does as he’s told. I slap the cell phone in his hand and race to the other side of the garage, taking sentry behind his tall rolling tool box.

He stares at his hand like I just gifted him a dog turd. “A smart phone?”

“Yes, and before you say anything, I didn’t buy it. It’s my old phone. It has wireless and can be used as a hotspot. It’s all under mine and Carrie’s family plan, so it only cost an extra $10 per month to keep the phone line activated. Unlimited data so you don’t have to worry about going over on minutes or data.”

He holds the phone out to me, waggling it in my direction. “No, I’m not accepting a phone from you. It’s too much. If I want a phone, I can buy it myself. Come take this back.”

“No.”

“No?”

“You heard me. Why can you give me something, and I can’t give you anything?”

“Lulu, that’s the point. I’m a loser. I haven’t given you anything.”

I gasp like he’s just physically slapped me. I narrow my eyes and stare at him over the top of the tool box. “Ryland Joseph Crutchfield, I don’t ever wanna hear those words come from your mouth again. There’s so much wrong with that statement I don’t even know where to begin.”

He doesn’t say anything. He just clutches the phone, turning his knuckles white.

“Let’s look at what’s in front of us,” I say pointing to my car. “How much are you gonna charge me for the oil change?”

“What?” He shakes his head in confusion. “Nothing.”

“Exactly. That oil change and tire rotation usually costs me $200. I know that synthetic oil’s not free. Who’s paying Harlan for that? You, right?”

The muscles in his jaw work back and forth. His translucent green eyes are set on fire, making his beauty even more breathtaking than normal.

“That’s what I thought. And you’re saying you can’t trade out with me? Mine only costs $10 a month.” I emerge from my hiding place and close the distance between us.

I’m standing just a foot away from him. All he has to do is reach out and touch me. Reach out and pull me against him. One small tug. It wouldn’t take much for him to crash my body into his.

“I’m not trying to keep tabs on you. I just wanna talk to you, Ry. When I’m away from you, I wanna hear your voice. Sure, we can talk on the garage line, but what about when you’re at the homestead? We can text or talk or just say hi to each other. Won’t that be nice?”

His features start to soften, and I can tell it’s time for me to bring my argument to its pinnacle. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to bring this up, but who was I kidding. I knew getting him to accept any gift like this was going to take convincing. “What about all those nights I drive home by myself? If something happens to me, I’ll be able to call you on the cell phone.” I bat my eyelashes at him. “Don’t you want me to be safe, Ry?” I take one small, baby step forward, inching my shoe along the floor. “And what about the nights we can’t be together? When you’re all alone and thinking of me, just like I think about you? Maybe—just maybe—I could send you some pictures to keep you company.” I cock my hip to the side and shift my torso so the neck of my loose sweater falls down my shoulder, showcasing my pink lace bra strap.

And with that, his fingers snatch out, grabbing the front waistband of my jeans. I tumble against him and he wraps me in his arms. Sweeping his tongue into my mouth, he kisses me with so much fervor and passion, it makes me feel like we’vebeen lovers for a thousand years. Connected from the beginning of time. When we finally break away, we’re both panting and gasping for air.

“That’s not fair, Lulu. You’re manipulating me. After all this time, you’re telling me you don’t play our game fair? You don’t play by the rules?”

I lean up and bite his lower lip. “Game on.”

***

It’s so cold our breath makes fog every time we speak. “I can’t believe how cold it’s turned in just a few hours.”

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