Page 61 of Drew
Drew’s eyes darken, and I swear if we weren’t in public, he’d hold me to that promise. We stare at one another with heat building between us, until we’re interrupted by a salesman.
“Anything I can get for you?”
My eyes immediately dart to the newcomer, and I quickly stammer, “No. We’re good. Thanks. I’m just getting this.” I shrug off the hoodie and replace it with the jacket I’d been holding between my knees.
It feels like a million degrees in here, and I don’t need either of these coats now. I dart to the register, wanting to put some distance between Drew and myself before I can put my thoughts into action.
What is it about him that lights every nerve on fire with a single look?
By the time I pay, Drew comes up behind me and makes a purchase of his own. Once he’s done, he reaches for my hand and leads me to the car we’ve parked outside. “Ready to hit the beach?”
As we near the approach to the beach, Drew pulls over and puts his SUV into neutral. Then he dials some knobs on the dash. It takes me a minute to realize he’s putting it into four-wheel drive. Once a yellow light flashes, he puts the vehicle into drive and heads out onto the beach. The tide is out, and several people and vehicles are scattered along the beach, enjoying their day in the sun. At the end of the distinct driveway, a car is parked on the remains of the gravel.
Drew groans, and I’m instantly on alert.
“What’s wrong?”
“I hate it when people park on the approach. Right after where they’re parked is the hardest part of the beach to drive on. It makes it more challenging for others to get on and off the beach. I swear more cars get stuck right here than anywhere else in the sand.”
My stomach clenches, and my muscles feel rigid as I carefully watch him maneuver his way past the parked vehicle with out-of-state plates. I have no idea how to get a vehicle unstuck in the sand. I’ve never driven myself on the beach, so It’s never been an issue. “Are you sure you want to drive out here?”
As I look around at the other vehicles who have clearly made it past this spot, I put all my faith in Drew to know what he’s doing.
Drew’s quiet as he guns the engine to pick up speed as he cranks the wheel. I instinctually grab the oh-shit handle, at the top of my door as I brace myself for what’s coming. With my legs firmly locking me in place, I ride out the bumps and dips of the uneven sand. The SUV fishtails, but Drew easily corrects our path like he’s done this a thousand times. After a few more bumps, the terrain evens out, and Drew no longer guns the engine. The ride becomes smooth, and I easily relax into the soft leather seats.
“Sorry.” Drew looks sheepishly in my direction. “Didn’t mean to freak you out. But I needed to concentrate through that rough patch.” He’s maneuvered himself onto the wet sand, and it’s like we’re riding along a fresh-paved highway.
“No—you do what you need to do. I’ve never been off-roading, but I can see why they enjoy the rush.”
“It is exhilarating,” he agrees with an infectious grin. “That’s honestly my favorite part. I used to take my dad’s truck off-roading and hope I wouldn’t get caught each fall when the dirt roads turned to mud.”
“Weren’t you ever worried you’d get stuck?” Leave it to my practical side to never be far away. Gah. I sound like a nagging mom.
Drew shakes his head and chuckles at my protectiveness. “It’s all part of the thrill, but since I didn’t like to get into trouble, I’d typically stay on routes I know I could go through with ease, but still get my truck dirty for street cred. I didn’t get to do it often, but for some reason, I was proud of washing the mud from my truck before I got caught.”
“Seriously?” Who finds it fun to wash muddy vehicles? Uh… That’s something we will never have in common. I’m lucky if I run my car through the carwash when it gets so dirty I can’t see through the window. “Were you a hick in a past life?” I tease. As I look him over, he doesn’t seem like the type—a bit too preppy—but you never know.
“Nope.” He pops the p, earning a laugh from me. “I’d never be caught dead wearing cowboy boots, but I did like to have some fun in the mud.” He shrugs as if that’s all the explanation I should need.
The more I get to know Drew Jacobs, the more I realize he’s like an onion. As I peel back each layer, I’m more intrigued. I just hope I don’t get too attached and he makes me cry when it ends.
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24
Drew
When I finda place that’s secluded from the crowd, I gun my SUV once again and launch us into the dry sand. I love the slip and slide as I maneuver through the sand and turn us so we will have an easy escape when we leave. Abby’s adorable when she grabs the handle and braces herself. Thankfully, instead of fear on her face, it’s exhilaration. Her smile lights up my world, and I feel it deep in my soul. To give her a bit more of a ride, I continue down the soft sand longer than I originally intend. I’m not showing off, but I want to keep that smile on her face for as long as I can.
Once I’m parked, I offer, “Want to get out and walk on the beach?”
Abby’s eyes sparkle, and her golden-brown eyes shine with excitement. “Duh… why else are we here?”
“Are you the type who likes to get their toes wet in the water?”
“Uh…” She shrugs. “Not really. Maybe in the summer, but since we’re in Washington, and it’s never that warm to walk around soaked.”
“Summer was the worst when it came to getting wet at the beach. I swear, we could show her a puddle that was only an inch deep, and she’d be up to her neck soaking wet by the time we finished walking. Mom used to make us wait until the very end to go play in the waves because Summer always had to have a full wardrobe change after just supposedly getting her toes wet.”
