Page 64 of Eagle

It had been a while since I had my own car. And even when I had, it was never that great. I’d danced for a while, but having to bounce from place to place after splitting up with the losers I always attracted didn’t leave me with much savings or a steady address. I also had failed to file taxes a few times, and had no real work history to show for a loan. Buy here, pay here lots were my only way to get on, and I had to be able to use cash for them.

This car wasn’t very old. I wasn’t a car girl so I wouldn’t know the year, but it looked almost new and the inside was clean and smelled like coconut.

“Well, climb in honey. See how it fits,” Jimmy said.

Eddie tipped his chin toward the driver’s seat and swiped his thumb over my face, wiping my tears. I drew in a deep breath, exhaling slowly before settling into the bucket seat. I ran my hands over the gear shifter then the steering wheel as I looked around. It could pass for brand new. A small little Christmas tree air freshener hung from the rear-view mirror.

“Fire it up,” Eddie said as he leaned in, his arm settled on the open door.

“Oh, right.” I fumbled with the key and started the ignition. The engine was quiet and the clock and interior lights came on, but no music, so I fiddled with the buttons until I got the radio to sound through the speakers.

“Not a bad little system, if you like that sort of thing,” Jimmy said as he opened the passenger door. He spent a few minutesshowing me all the buttons, the wipers, the blinkers, and how to open the gas tank and hood. “You bring it to the shop when it’s time and we’ll change the oil and rotate your tires. Just put new ones on yesterday, so you should be good for a while.”

I lunged over the center console and awkwardly threw my arms around Jimmy. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say,” I managed to say before tearing up again.

He patted my back and laughed. “Can’t have my future daughter-in-law catching rides with strangers now can we?”

There was no way he didn’t feel that flinch.I was too shocked to control it, but managed to not completely ruin the moment.Future daughter-in-law?

But there was no rebuttal from Eddie. He patiently waited as I embraced his dad in the small car. A whirlwind of emotions filled me as my body shook. It had been so long since I felt anything close to what was happening within me, if ever.

My stepfather had been wealthy, but I was not gifted anything this way. I had nice clothes and was able to drive one of my mother’s cars, but anything given to me, even for birthdays and holidays, was always leverage of some kind, or thrown in my face over and over.

Jimmy barely knew me and he was going to sign the title over to me. It would be mine. And it wouldn’t have happened at all if it wasn’t for Eddie worrying about me. He didn’t leave town except for once a month or so, but he was gone for lengths of time at odd hours fairly often. I knew he couldn’t tell me where or why and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I’d only worry. But now, even if he was held up, I didn’t have to rely on Jeannie or get a rideshare. I could just hop in my car and go home.

Finally pulling back, I wiped at Jimmy’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I made a mess on your shirt.”

“Don’t worry about that, honey. I know how to do laundry. I’m glad you like it. Maybe now you can drag this knucklehead around more. I hardly see him these days.”

Nodding and wiping off my cheeks, I giggled. “I promise. But you’ll have to let me cook for you sometime.”

Jimmy waved me off and said, “I like cooking. But you can bring me some dessert if you want.” He patted his belly. “I like sweets.”

“I’ll do better, Dad. Promise,” Eddie said as he reached his hand out to me to climb out.

I turned off the engine and got out. “Guess I’ll have to come back once we get the insurance and stuff worked out.”

“No, it has coverage now.” Eddie pulled me close against him. “I just wanted a kiss before you drive off.”

Grabbing his cheeks, I pulled him down and kissed him hard, my hands still shaking. Pulling back, I said, “Thank you so much.”

“So, does this get me enough points to at least swing by the clubhouse and show your friends?”

I was still riding the high of a fun dinner, topped off with my own car, so I didn’t even think before I said, “Okay.”

Chapter 30

Eagle

After Lacy thanked Dad again about ten times and promised to bring me back soon for dinner, we finally headed to the clubhouse. I followed her and had texted Keys to be expecting the extra car so nobody tried to stop her.

My face hurt from the grin I couldn’t wipe off. It was probably going to be a short visit, but at least she agreed to head to the clubhouse, even if it was to show Daisy her car. Didn’t mean I wouldn’t ask her to stay, but I knew she probably wouldn’t.

Lacy drove like a teen who just got her license and while it was adorable, it was keeping me from touching her. But she was happy. I watched her smiling in the rear view nearly the whole ride and sometimes she even did a little wiggle.

When she made the turn into the driveway to the clubhouse, my stomach flipped. Like a fucking little girl. But knowing she’d be here in my space, even if for a short time, gave me hope. I needed her with me like I needed water and air. She should beat my side and that wouldn’t happen as long as she lived apart from me. I had to remember that this was just another step and she wasn’t coming back quite yet. Thoughts of tying her up and locking her away safely in my room did cross my mind as we parked, though.

Keys must have alerted the officers because Lacy wasn’t even out of her car before Daisy was screaming at the door. “Oh my fucking God!”

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