Page 26 of Out in the Country

“You’re sure? There’s no air conditioning yet and it’s loud and not a super smooth ride.”

“I’m sure. I already called, and they said that your truck will be a big hit.”

I can’t school my expression fast enough because he slams his hands down on his hips with the attitude I love so much.

“What?” Hayden asks.

“I think it’s cute you didn’t think we’d fit in.”

“I like bein’ prepared.” He shrugs and grabs the keys from the bowl and tosses them to me before walking out the front door. I follow and we make our way to the garage. The door squeaks as I open it and I add that to the list of things I need to fix this week.

“I think she’s growin’ on me,” Hayden says as he gazes at the partially restored 1959 GMC truck I’ve been working on slowly over the past couple of years. The patina is perfection, and it’s only recently that Hayden’s stopped asking me if I’m going to paint it.

“Thanks, baby,” I say as I lean in and kiss his cheek. The tips of his ears turn pink, and I smile as I walk to the passenger side to open the door. He gets in, and I kiss him once more before slamming the door and rattling the truck. Hayden’s eyes widen only slightly, and I whistle as I walk to the driver’s side.

The truck starts on a roar and a rumble, and after rolling down the windows, I get onto the road and follow Hayden’s directions. We make small talk, and I can’t help sneaking small glances to make sure he’s okay, but he’s smiling andhappy.

It’s another thing I didn’t know I needed.

Not the happy and smiling part—that’s a given—but themy boyfriend likes my classic fixer-upper truck that’s not for everyone but I love unconditionallypart.

“You’re staring.”

“Can you blame me?” My cheeks heat, but it’s not because I’m embarrassed. Reaching over, I place my hand on his knee and he places his hand over mine, and we ride like that all the way to the show.

* * *

HAYDEN

The car showis nothing like I expected it to be. Car lovers and people just passing through town stop to chat and take a look at Everett’s truck. We’ve heard countless stories of people once having a ’59 GMC or losin’ their virginity in the back of one. People young and old meander around just enjoyin’ the evening, and I find myself enjoyin’ it too.

We eat tacos from a food truck as we walk and look at models and years of things that don’t make sense to me, but it doesn’t matter. Everett’s smile hasn’t budged since before we parked. He holds my hand and nothing else matters.

Things have been like this the last couple of months. We go on dates and I love every second of learning how to woo my best friend.

We’ve been to beer and liquor tastings, axe throwing—which resulted in endless innuendos from Everett—a cooking class that resulted in us dedicating one night to cooking together at home, and two slow-dancing arguments that we resolved both in and out of the bedroom.

Being with Everett is easy. I still drive him crazy, but he loves me and I’m ridiculously thankful for that. I don’t have to be anyone but myself. I tried so hard over the years to make someone else happy, but no one had ever put in the same effort for me. Everett shows me every day what life can be like and I work just as hard to show him the same in return.

“What are you thinkin’ about?” Everett whispers against the shell of my ear, and it sends a delicious shiver down my spine.

“Us. You.” I wave my hand around. “This. I like it here, and I like bein’ here with you.” I squeeze his hand.

“Did you ever think it’d be this easy?” he asks.

“No,” I answer honestly, “but think of all the T-shirts I can have made.”

He laughs and then pulls me to a stop and kisses the hell out of me in the middle of the car show. There are whistles and cheers, and I smile against his lips as I pull away. I can’t believe this is my life—ourlife.

“What do you think about gettin’ outta here, and I can show you just how turned on this shirt makes me?” He tugs at the fabric and I chuckle.

“Anything you want.”

His eyes sparkle as he tugs me back to the truck. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

13

HAYDEN

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