He led me to his truck and walked around to open the door for me.
“Oh! A gentleman,” I teased.
“Just get in the truck, Trouble.”
“Yes, sir.” I hopped in and looked around while he jogged around the front and climbed in.
His truck was a mess but I hadn’t expected much. He had plenty of crumbs on the floor and when I looked back I was met with a car seat. I looked at him as he hopped in.
“You have kids?” I asked.
“I have a niece,” he corrected, started his truck’s engine, and pulled off.
“And you keep a car seat in your truck for her?”
“That’s right.”
He didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask a follow up. Instead, I opened his middle console. He had a weed grinder settled inside as well as wipes, loose cash, gum, and a gun tucked beside it all. I let the console shut and yanked his glove compartment open.
“Are you looking for something?” he asked.
“A wedding ring,” I deadpanned.
“Sorry to disappoint you but I don’t have a wedding ring in my truck.”
“Then, where is it?” I rummaged through his glove compartment anyway but it was mostly papers and napkins.
“It doesn’t exist because I’m not married.”
“Right.” I shoved his things back into the compartment and slammed it shut.
“Put on your damn seatbelt and stop being crazy.”
“I’m not being crazy,” I argued as I put my seatbelt on. “I’m just covering my bases.”
“For?”
“In case I decide I want to ride you into oblivion,” I said simply. “I’m a slut, not a homewrecker.”
“You’re not a slut either,” he argued and I rolled my eyes. “And I don’t have a home for you to wreck, but if you really want to build a home together, I’m open to the possibility.”
“Of course you are. You’ve been in love with me for years now.”
“Fuck you. It hasn’t been years.”
We both laughed.
“But you’re in love with me?” I teased.
“Oh yeah.” He nodded. “Obsessed.”
“I figured.” I shrugged and reached forward to tap his radio screen.
I synced my phone with his Bluetooth and played my music. It was almost hilarious to me how easygoing Stone was about everything. I didn’t think I’d ever truly seen him angry. Even when he was manhandling patrons and kicking them out or breaking up fights, he never exactly looked upset or stressed. He always had an air of calm around him.
I played my music, singing and rapping to each song while Stone drove us to a twenty-four hour pancake house.
He reached into the backseat and grabbed a sweatshirt then pushed his door open.