Page 22 of Captured Immune

“Can I call you an Uber?” she asks as I slip into my shoes. They’re still kinda damp. I shove my feet in anyway.

“I can walk.”

“That’s a long walk, Trey.”

“I’ll be fine. Thanks again for the coffee.” I open the door, then turn to get one last look at her. She’s hugging herself in a way that makes me want to hold her. She only ever hugs herself like that when something’s wrong. I don’t wanna leave. I also don’t have any reason to stay, so I suck it up and step out.

The bright-ass sun scorches my pupils, making my head spin. I only get four steps away from Arella’s door before realizing I’m too fucking hungover to be doing this. What makes me think I can walk home when I can barely see straight? Add the heavy burning in my chest, and I’m in no condition to be walking anywhere.

I drag my phone out to call an Uber, then stop. I wanted a reason to keep seeing her, didn’t I?

Knock-knock.

She answers the door immediately, as if she was just on the other side, waiting for me to come back. She gazes up at me with wide eyes, looking so adorable, I could pick her up, crash my lips against hers, and never let her go.

Resisting the urge to do all that, I scratch the back of my head. “So, um, on second thought, I’d appreciate a lift.”

Without a word, she nods and grabs her purse.

I slouch into her passenger seat as I glare out the window. The blazing sun is still burning my eyes. Arella doesn’t turn the radio on as she backs her car out of its parking spot.

I bought her this car three weeks ago. At that time, I would have bought her anything she wanted. Apparently, I’m still willing to do that. If she calls me up tomorrow, next month, or even years from now asking for money, I’ll hand it over in a heartbeat, no questions asked.

If for some reason I’m broke, I’ll get a fucking job just to be able to send her something. One way or another, I will make sure Arella’s baby is taken care of. If she won’t accept my money now, she’ll be accepting a mountain of diapers on her doorstep in nine months.

The silence between us has never been louder. Typically, when we’re in the car, we’re holding hands or I’ve got my palm over her thigh. Right now, we might as well be on separate ends of the earth.

At our first stoplight, Arella breaks the silence. “How would you like me to give you monthly payments for this car?”

“Don’t worry ’bout it.”

“I told you, Trey, I won’t be accepting this car if you don’t accept payments for it.”

“And I told you it’s a gift. No matter what the circumstances are, that hasn’t changed.”

The traffic light turns green, then she eases onto the gas. “Since I’m assuming you won’t be cashing any checks with my name on it, I’ll just drop off some cash for you once a month in an envelope.”

I shut my eyes and rub my forehead. “I swear, it’s like you do everything in your power to be difficult.”

“I wouldn’t have to be difficult if you didn’t make everything so complicated.”

I jerk my head back and point at my chest. “Me?Imake everything complicated?”

“Yes. I never asked you to buy me a car. I mean, who gifts their girlfriend a brand-new car after only knowing them for two months?”

“I didn’t buy you this damn car to complicate anything. I bought it to fix a problem. You needed a vehicle, so I got you one.”

“Which I want to pay you back for.”

I huff. “Arella, if I find any cash on my doorstep, I will take every cent of it plus triple to buy you a crib made of gold and baby clothes imported from a fucking palace. Do you understand?” I expect her to give in. I want her to. Of course, she doesn’t.

“Fine. In that case, I’ll be leaving this car in your driveway next week with the keys in it after I buy myself a new one.”

I shake my head, biting my lip. “You’re so goddamn difficult.”

She simply stares out the windshield. “So are you.”

“We can fight about this all you want, but I’m telling you, if this car is left in my driveway, I’m driving it straight back to your place. We can play that game for as long as it takes for you to get it through your head that this vehicle is yours and I don’t want anything for it.”

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