“Here you go,” she offered, then cleared her throat. “And you cantextme with my five-star rating and review.”
I grinned. “Oh, I’m leaving a whole Yelp essay, honey. 'Great service! Wonderful ambiance! Hostess had a smart mouth but cooked like my grandma used to!”
Lainey playfully rolled her eyes, waving me off with a proud little smirk. “Don’t play with me, Jo. You already know you’re gonna heat that plate up at midnight withhappytears in your eyes!”
She wasn’t wrong.
I chuckled. “And you know this, boo. But seriously, Lainey, I meant what I said earlier. Thank you for always showing up; you’re the only one who does.”
She pulled me into a hug I didn’t know I needed until I was in it.
Her voice was low, firm, and real. “Jo, you’re not wrong for loving him like this, but you gotta let people help sometimes. You’re strong,yeah,but even soldiers need rest. Don’t wait until you’re bleeding just to admit you’re hurt. Just remember you’re never alone… not while I’m breathing.”
I nodded.
Lainey pulled back, fanning her face from the tears threatening to spill. “Okay, go on home before I make y’all sleep here! I’ll text you tomorrow.”
She placed her hand on top of Kyrin’s head.
“See you later, my guy.”
“See you later, Lainey.”
I stepped out, pulling the door shut behind me, and Kyrin closer. My eyes immediately went to the spot where the two guys had been standing.
A quiet breath slipped out of me, relief settling in my chest.
They were gone.
Good.
After making sure Kyrin was secured in the car, I slid into the driver’s seat and shut the door, the familiar creak of my car greeting me like an old friend that had been through too much with me. The moment I turned the key, the engine let out a slow, grinding groan as if it was debating if it felt like cooperating that night.
I tried again.
Another grunt.
Still nothing.
“Is everything okay, Jo?” Kyrin asked, his voice still soft and sleepy, but full of worry.
I glanced back at him, forcing the corners of my mouth upward into a smile. “Yeah, sport. It’s just the cold. You know how this car gets.”
I lightly tapping the dashboard like I was trying to coax it with love, but inside, my chest was tightening.
Come on, baby… don’t embarrass me tonight.I thought I could squeeze another year out of you. Just one more… please.
That car wasn’t just a way to get from point A to B; it was mylifeline.I needed it to get Kyrin to appointments, to run errands, and both of my jobs, especially my second one, which was Uber.If that car quit on me, my side hustle died with it, and I couldn’t afford for anything else to fall apart.
I turned the key again and held my breath.
The engine sputtered… sputtered again… thenmiraculouslyit roared to life with a shaky rumble, like it was coughing off its attitude.
“See?” I smiled at Kyrin and buckled up. “All it needed was a little encouragement… and maybe a threat or two.”
He laughed, eyes twinkling. “She almost didn’t make it.”
“Almost doesn’t count, bro. That’s why I keep jumper cables and Jesus on standby.”