Page 80 of Sweet Heat

Chapter Forty-Five

“Why the hell aren’t they back yet?” I mutter to myself, checking the little blue dot on my app for the thousandth time. Pacing back and forth across the cold gray concrete outside the DMV, I wait impatiently for my girl to return from her road test. She okayed the virtual stalking—not that I could stop anyway, but for her, I would certainly have tried—but banned me from following them in my car. Posie said it would make her way too nervous, so now the acid in my stomach is eating away at me.

It’s been a tough few days, balancing caring for my post-heat omega, starting back up with practice, and handling the aftermath of Owen’s accident. When the dust settled, we found out he came away with a mild concussion, bruised ribs, and aseriously jacked-up leg; it could have been so much worse. He’s going to miss some games, possibly the rest of the season, but nothing permanent—and his arm is still as great as ever.

It’s everyone else that has to deal with the trauma. Seeing his crumpled car and smelling the blood—it plays on repeat in my brain and invades Posie’s sleep every night. And other than holding my Puff tightly, I don’t know how to combat the fear. I’m sure it will fade in time, but for now, we’re doing the best we can.

Silver lining, though; Owen’s home and talking about looking for houses out by ours. He’s all in on us being together. So that’s something.

The blue dot finally starts heading back my way, and I can’t help but increase the speed of my pacing until the muscles in my calves start to burn. All my nervous energy growing with every second. I had wanted Posie to postpone the test, considering all she’d gone through. Of course, she had to be stubborn, and I’m not sure if her passing or failing would be the better option because our track record with cars is shit. I’m happy to be her chauffeur forever.

Freaking cars.

Her tracker shows them mere seconds away.Inhale. Exhale.My hands twitch nervously by my sides.

A shiny silver sedan rounds the corner, and pride swells in my chest, watching Posie expertly maneuver the vehicle around the turn and into a parking spot.

That’s my girl.

Waiting for them to get out of the car tries my patience further, and I walk to the sidewalk closest to where she parks. I narrow myeyes, attempting to peer inside while not giving into my Alpha instinct to rip the door open and claim my omega.

Indecision writhes in my gut, and just as my foot leaves the curb, ready to storm over there, the driver’s side door pops open. My breath catches as Posie emerges, her little white dress floating around her as she exits with a sunny smile. She grips a slip of paper in her hand and waves it around like a flag, hustling toward me eagerly.

“I did it! I passed!” she exclaims breathlessly, leaping into my waiting arms. Her body trembles against mine, and I can sense her delight and adrenaline in the bond.

“Congratulations, Puff. I’m so proud of you.” She glows under my praise, and I can’t wait to get her away from here. My lips crash down on hers, letting her sweet cotton candy wipe away all my worries. Having her here with me is all I need.

The slam of a door and a loud cough make me pull away, but I swing an arm over her shoulder to keep her nearby.

“Yes. She did very well,” the driving instructor says, sliding a pair of round glasses up his nose. “I will put in the paperwork today, and you should receive your card in the mail within two weeks.”

He taps a few times on his tablet, then peers up at us.

“That sounds great,” I tell him. “Is there anything more we need to do now?”

“No. The paper I gave you will serve as a temporary license until the card comes. You completed everything else before the written exam.” He doesn’t wait for our reply; just walks away without turning back, and that’s completely fine with me. I want my girl to myself.

When I glance down at Posie, she’s studying the paper with a little wrinkle between her brows, turning the slip over in her hands. The bond doesn’t tell me much about how she’s feeling, just a muted sense of concern.

“Everything okay?” She folds it neatly and slips it into her pocket, then musters a smile before replying.

“Fine. It’s just… a little anticlimactic? I guess.” With my arm still around her, we walk toward the SUV. “It was this huge looming goal. The thing that was going to let me be independent, but then we bonded, and I didn’t need to do it anymore.”

I open her door and she slides in gracefully, tucking the bottom of her dress under her legs while I reach across to buckle her in.

“You’re right. You didn’t need it to prove your independence; instead, you conquered one of your biggest fears. It’s even more impressive because you did it foryou, not due to being backed into a corner.” Posie bites her plump red lips, mulling over what I said as I round the car and jump in.

“True,” she agrees. “Maybe it means more this way.”

“Plus, I have a surprise for you.” Wiggling my eyebrows at her elicits just the laugh I was hoping for. Her body finally relaxes against the seat, and I drop my hand to its proper place on her thigh.

“But you didn’t know I would pass,” she objects, sliding her fingers into mine and locking them together. Perfection. Backing the SUV out of the tiny lot, I turn it toward the open road, hoping to arrive at our destination before sunset.

“I had faith in you.” My answer makes her snort, and I can’t help but tease her right back. “And this works as a ‘congrats you passed’ or an ‘I’m sorry you failed’ kind of surprise.”

“Are you going to tell me what it is?” she asks, squirming in her seat.

“Nope.”

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