Trust(37)

He just grunted.

“I do know how to change a tire. It was just, you know, the nut.”

A nod.

John had the car roadworthy again in about two minutes. God, for him it’d all been so simple. The boy probably thought I’d lured him out here under false pretenses. Because I wanted his attention or something stupid.

“You okay to drive?” he asked.

I hid my shaking hands behind my back. “Absolutely.”

“I’ll follow you back to your place,” he said. “Make sure you get there okay.”

“Thank you.”

Back at home, I don’t know what I expected. A wave of the hand, a chin tip maybe. But he parked his car and got out, moseying on over to where I stood.

“Your mom home?” he asked.

“No. She doesn’t finish until four.”

I’d left on the light in the front hall and the bedside lamp in my bedroom. Walking into a totally dark house had a tendency to freak me out these days. Meanwhile, my stupid hands were still trembling. The noise the tire made when it blew had been shocking, true. But that had been nearly an hour ago. I shook them hard, trying to dislodge the fear, to get the tremor to ease.

When I looked up, John stood silently watching. “I can stay for a while if you want.”

“No,” I said, guilt making me refuse. “Really, you should go home, get some sleep. I’m going to as well.”

He just looked at me.

“Thank you for rescuing me. I would have been in real trouble if you hadn’t come.”

A brief smile flitted across his lips. “No problem.”

I smiled back at him, took a deep breath, and raised my hand in farewell. “Good night.”

“’Night.”

“Or morning.”

“Right.”

The curve of his lips could have kept me occupied for hours. Wings stirred in my belly, both scary and thrilling at the same time. Friends again or not, liking John in a more-than-that way was dumb. Insane even. Still, just to be sure where we stood, I wanted to ask if the fight had been archived, forgotten. Except just bringing it up again seemed risky during this time of peace. Maybe I should, though. Clear the air and all that.

“Edie,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m waiting for you to go inside.”

“Oh. Right.”

“You sure you don’t want me to stay?”

More than I could say, and for reasons less than pure. “Oh, no. I, um . . .”

“I don’t mind.”

“No, no. I’m fine. Really. Thanks.” I rushed to the front door, unlocking it with all due haste. “’Bye.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow at school.” He took a step backward, watching me all the while. Then he turned, heading straight for his car.

“Today at school,” I called out.

He laughed. “Whatever.”

Such was the magic of John Cole, I even managed to get to sleep. Bet I still had the stupid smile on my face, too.





John: Hey

Me: Hi. How’s 1:38 am treating you?

John: Shit. You?

Me: Same

John: No driving at night alone again right?

Me: I’m guessing you want to hear no…

John: correct

John: Been worrying about it

Me: Alright. I’ll text you first if I do.

John: Ok thanks

Me: And you’ll let me know too John: You want to know when I go out?

Me: That’s what you’re asking from me Me: Hello?

John: Ok deal fine

John: I can look after myself though Me: I put a baseball bat in my car.

John: You’re weaponized now?

Me: Or ready for impromptu baseball games John: Right

Me: So…what else shall we talk about? What do you usually discuss when you text girls at one in the morning?

John: I don’t

Me: Sure you do. Come on. Tell me.

John: You don’t want to hear that Me: I absolutely do.

John: lets talk about movies or something Me: Waiting.

John: Shit Edie

John: I ask them if I can come over Me: That’s all?

John: Yeah

Me: You don’t text them anything else?

John: No

Me: None of the “what are you wearing” thing first?

John: No

Me: Let me get this straight, you give them no lead-in whatsoever?

John: Already told you no. Can we talk about something else now?

Me: Man, you’re so lazy.

John: It works

Me: I’m actually disappointed in you right now.

John: FFS

John: we both get what we want. Why complicate things?

Me: I’m beginning to think life is about the complications.

John: Enough shit in life is complicated thanks. Sex can stay easy Me: Not even a prom date on the horizon?

John: not going

Me: Got other plans?

John: hang at the lake maybe. What do you think Me: You’re inviting me?

John: yeah

Me: Cool. Sounds good.

John: We could jump off the rock again Me: Okay. But just to warn you, I’m wearing a prom dress even though I’m not going to the dance and this isn’t a date. It’ll be something truly sparkly and stupid.

John: Remind me to bring floaties so you don’t sink.