Slade (The Protectors #6)(45)

Jill flipped on the blinker, getting in the other lane to pass. As she passed, she and Jax looked into the car. A little old man, who was absolutely adorable and could barely see over the steering wheel, glanced at them, giving them a grandfatherly smile.

Jax slowly looked at Jill with a frown. “I suggest, if that happens during your test, do what you did, minus the blaring of the horn and screaming threats at old people in a fit of road rage.”

Jill shifted on the seat, frowning, but nodded. “Understood.”

“Make sure you use your signals all the time.” Jax sat back, relaxed, as if enjoying the ride. “You missed a few. I’m not sure how many points that will be. Have you ever parallel parked?”

Stopping at a red light, Jill glanced over at Jax. “No.”

“Never?” Jax frowned and cursed. “Okay, no big deal, but we need to practice that. You’re okay driving when you’re paying attention. Find a street that cars park on.”

Driving up and down streets, she finally found one. Seeing a parking spot between two cars Jill slowed down. “Is that a good one?”

Jax looked at it and actually got out for a closer look. Walking back to her side of the window, he bent down. “Get out and let me do it first. Stand over there and watch.”

Getting out of the car, Jax pulled her aside as someone drove past. Heading over to stand, she watched what Jax did and shook her head once he was in the spot looking at her. After pulling back out into the street, he got out and waved her over.

Shit, there was no way she was going to be able to do that. “There is no way,” Jill spoke her thoughts out loud.

“Yeah, well, you have no choice now, do you?” Jax looked back at the spot where he had parked. “When you test, they will have cones, not cars.”

“What if I hit one?” Jill still stared at the spot as if it was her worse nightmare. Hell, it was pretty damn close to her worse nightmare.

“You won’t.” Jax opened the door for her.

“But if I do?” Jill sat in the driver’s seat, staring at the spot before looking up at Jax.

“Then you get to tell Sloan and he’ll have to call the insurance to fix whatever you f*ck up.” Jax laughed at her horrified look. “Now, pull up like I did. Then turn the wheel and start backing up slowly. It’s really common sense and I do know you have common sense.”

Waiting for Jax to step out of the way, Jill closed her eyes, said a quick prayer, put the car in drive and pulled up.”

“Open you damn eyes, Jill!” Jax yelled.

“Don’t yell at me!” Jill yelled back.

“Then keep your eyes open!” Again Jax yelled back, shaking his head with a roll of his eyes.

Once Jill pulled up, she braked and put the car in reverse. Turning around in the seat so she could see, she started backing up in jerky movements.

“Use your mirrors,” Jax instructed. “And stop slamming on the brakes.”

Jill mumbled to herself, her neck hurting from jerking her head around to each mirror. Once she had the car backed in, she put the car in drive, turned the wheel and started moving forward.

“That’s good, Jill.” Jax walked closer, watching. “Cut the wheel more. You got plenty of room up here.”

“Please don’t let me hit the car,” she said to herself. “Please don’t let me hit the car. Please don’t let me hit the car.”

“Okay, now cut the wheel again and put it in reverse. Take it slow.” Jax walked to the back of the car.

“Please don’t let me hit the car,” Jill continued the chant since it seemed to be helping. “Please don’t let me hit the car. Please don’t let me hit the car.”

“Good, Jill, now straighten the wheel and pull up a little.” Jax waited until she was good and held up his hand. Walking to her side of the window, he smiled down at her. “Congratulations on your first parallel park.”

“Really?” Jill’s smile was huge. Slamming the car in park, she got out and stared at Jax with a happy look on her face. “I really did it.”

“Yeah, you did good.” Jax grinned with a nod. “Now, do it again.”

“Okay.” She hurried to the car, excited, but then stopped, turning to Jax. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Hell if I know,” Jax grumbled, but when Jill continued looking at him, he frowned. “I figured I was being pretty hard on you. Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be back to my * self soon enough.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him before getting in the car. “I appreciate your help.”

“Yeah, well, let’s see what happens Monday before you get all sappy and shit.” Jax motioned for her to do her thing. “Come on. I don’t have all day.”

Jill parked five more times before Jax was happy enough to leave. Once they were in the parking lot of the bar Tessa worked at, Jill picked two cars to park between. It wasn’t parallel parking, but close enough. Once parked, Jill switched off the engine and sat, sporting a huge grin.

“Pretty proud of yourself, aren’t you?” Jax wore a half-grin on his face.

“Yes, I am,” Jill sighed, handing him the keys.

“Well, you should be, except for the moment of road rage, you did well.” Jax looked at the keys, but didn’t take them as he got out of the car. “Keep them. You’re driving back.”