Page 6 of Summer Storm
Other woman drama
Brielle
Oh, no! What are the odds I wonder as the SUV begins to shimmy and the steering wheel tugs to the right. Slowing, I flip on the hazard lights and check my mirrors before easing off the highway and onto the shoulder of the highway.
Putting the vehicle in park, I check for traffic before jumping out and hurrying around to the passenger’s side. Sure enough, the front tire is flatter than a silver dollar pancake.
“Well, crap.” There’s no use putting it off, this time I’m going to have to call my favorite mechanic.
As far as first dates went, the rodeo had certainly made an impression on me and over the last month, so has Aaron. The man is a quintessential alpha male; confident, assertive, and definitely protective. He may be bossy, in the best ways, of course but I’m an independent woman and can take care of myself…usually. I have the feeling though– I’ll be doing my share of groveling for not calling him after the first incident. Maybe even on my knees if I’m lucky.
I grin at that naughty thought. We’ve spent as much time together as possible even though work and filming the show takes a major portion of his time, but we’ve managed to eke out some time each day for each other, usually around supper time.
Some days he cooks, and I do our laundry at his place because the washer and dryer I purchased are on back order, and some days I cook while he does maintenance on my vehicle. Whatever we do, we talk about everything important in our lives like the pros and cons of filming the show, our family scandals, the dogs, past failed relationships, you name it, it’s been wonderful. After that first date we agreed to take our relationship slow and really get to know one another after jumping the gun so to speak last winter. Other than some steamy kisses, we’ve stuck to our guns and haven’t been sexually intimate, but it’s on the horizon, looming like a storm, and I’m more than ready.
Hopping back into the driver’s seat, I slam my door and automatically hit the lock button. I’m independent, not stupid. Stealing myself for Aaron’s reaction, I reach behind the seat to grab my phone out of the side pocket on the tote I use as a purse and kind of a doggy diaper bag of sorts.
From the back seat Rudy chuffs out an exasperated breath almost as if to say, “Can you believe this? Now we’re going to miss supper!” His new brother, Toothless catches me with a slobbery kiss, sliming my arm from wrist to elbow, letting me know Rudy isn’t in danger of starving anytime soon and we’ll be okay.
“Thanks Big Guy.” The Pittie lets out a groan of pleasure as I give his ears a quick rub. Yes, I’m stalling.Sheesh.“Here goes nothing.” I call Aaron, putting the phone on speaker.
“Hey sweetheart, what’s for dinner?” he teases, asking the same thing Nolan asks every time he calls. The happiness I hear in the sexy timber of Aarons voice sends more than a shiver of desire over my nerve endings; he makes my heart happy too.
I decide to tease the bear. “Did you know, I’ve been driving for eight years and not once have I had a flat tire? Then I start dating this sexy mechanic and all of the sudden I get two flats in the same day.”
“What? Are you okay? Did you run something over? Are the dogs okay?” He demands his voice getting tighter and more stressed with each question. Holy smokes.
“Aaron. Aaron, calm down. Yes, the dogs and I are all okay. No, I haven’t run anything over…at least I’m pretty sure I didn’t. I noticed the back passenger tire going down before I left Lolo. I changed it out with the spare…”
“You, what? Why didn’t you call me?” He bellows.
“Don’t yell at me, I handled it. I didn’t notice the second tire until we were on the road for a while.” I shrug even though he can’t see me. My dads were firm believers in every kid going through driver’s education classes also took a basic automotive maintenance course too. I know how to change a tire, check my fluids, and change my oil.
“Where are you now?”
“I’m on 93 just past Wild Stallion Road.”
“I’ll be there in twenty. Stay in the truck. I’ll call you back.”
“Okay, drive care…” The big butthead hung up on me. “Stay in the truck.” I mimic using my manliest voice to imitate him. I mean, what if the dogs need to go potty? And twenty minutes? More like ten and that’s if he doesn’t get pulled over for speeding. Even though this is a pretty lonely stretch of highway, the state boys and tribal police from the nearby reservation patrol Highway 93 pretty regularly.
It’s a hot one today and both dogs are secured in their doggy seatbelt harnesses, so I keep the SUV running and the air on. I swivel in my seat, looking back at them. “It shouldn’t be longnow, kids,” I reassure them. Reaching into my tote, I pull out the bag of banana chips, and hand one to each of them as my phone rings.
“I should be close. Are you still okay?” Aaron’s voice is intense; the big diesel engine of the wrecker they use for towing roars in the background as images of him tearing up the highway pop into my head.
“Baby, we’re fine, slow down before you get in an accident yourself, okay?”
Toothless growls.
“What was that?” Aaron demands.
“Um, a car just pulled up behind me. Gray, nondescript, older model. A Caprice maybe? The old cop car looking type. I can’t see a front license plate... two men approaching.”
“Fuck! Are your doors locked?”
“Of course, my mama didn’t raise a fool,” I roll my eyes. “Well except for maybe, Nolan.” I try to lighten the tension pouring through the phone, while using my mirrors to keep both men in sight.
“Hey, pretty lady, need some help?” The man who arrives at my door tips his sunglasses down on the bridge of his nose andfrowns. Despite the mean look, I keep my voice even and while not overly friendly, polite.
