Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Harper was standing behind my bike, leaning against a 1976 Chevy C-10 that I was very familiar with. Leo had spent over a year restoring it, and I’d spent a lot of that year locating the parts he needed all over the state.
“So, hear me out,” she said as I walked down the steps, her voice both bright and nervous at the same time. “You can totally go by yourself. I won’t be offended at all. But, I thought if you wanted some company, I’m not really busy these days. And Dad’s truck is a much more comfortable way to drive two hours in the rain. Plus, you can drive, obviously, and I don’t need to go in with you or anything. I can sit in the truck—”
“You’re incredible,” I cut her off, wrapping my free hand around the side of her neck. “You know that?”
“I figured this would seem like a nice gesture or very overbearing,” she said with a sigh. “It could’ve gone either way.”
“Nice gesture,” I clarified. “Sweet as hell.”
“Oh, good.”
“You sure you wanna drive all the way up there for a meetin’ that’ll probably take twenty minutes?”
“Spending the day with you sounds like a good time.” She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what we’re doing.”
I let out a small laugh and shook my head.
“Thanks, baby,” I said, leaning down to kiss her. “This is seriously fuckin’ cool of you.”
“You want to take the truck?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.
“Yeah, let’s take the truck.”
“Awesome.”
I helped her into the passenger seat and ran back to the open apartment door to set my helmet inside and lock up. Harper was already buckled in with a backpack at her feet when I climbed in the driver’s side and set my pile of clothes on the bench seat between us. Leo kept the inside of the Chevy in perfect condition, and even though the work was done years ago, it still looked like the day we’d finished it.
“I can’t believe Leo let you borrow this,” I said, shaking my head as I fired up the engine.
“Not me,” Harper replied. “You.”
“How’d you talk him into it?”
“I mentioned that I’d just go with you on the bike,” she said with a snicker. “The man will ride in literally any weather imaginable, but God forbid I do it.”
“I can’t see you ridin’ to Portland in the rain.”
“Oh, hell no,” she replied immediately. “He told me to tell you to take care of his baby.”
“I will,” I replied, my eyes on her.
“I’m pretty sure he meant the truck,” she grumbled. “But you’re sweet.”
“I’ll take care of both,” I assured her as we pulled onto the road.
“Can we stop at Charlie’s and get some coffee?” she asked hopefully.
“Sure.” We rode in the quiet for a few minutes as I headed to the little coffee trailer that her aunt owned. It was a few minutes out of the way, closer to the club than my place, but worth it. Plus, it was practically a sacrilege to go to a different shop in Eugene. No one in that family ever bought their coffee anywhere else.
Since it was Saturday there was no morning rush, and we were able to drive right up to the window. When we got there, Charlie’s head popped out.
“Well, you’re not who I expected to see,” she greeted with a laugh. “My brother-in-law know you stole his truck? I’m not hiding your ass when he figures it out.”
“Hey, Aunt Charlie,” Harper called, scooting across the seat so she could look out my window.
“This shit just keeps getting weirder and weirder,” Charlie replied, leaning down on her elbows. “Hey, Harp!”
“Can you make me something good?”
“You want hot or cold?”
“Hot.”
“Two shots or three?”
“Three, please.”
“You got it.” She looked at me. “What about you, Bas?”
“Drip coffee, please.”
“I don’t even know why I asked.” She rolled her eyes.
She moved in and out of view as she worked on the coffees. “So, what are you guys up to so early?” She paused and leaned to look out at me. “If you tell me you’re driving my niece home, I’ll come through this window.”
“We’re going up to Portland,” Harper said with a laugh. “Bas has an appointment in a couple hours. Why the hell are you working on a Saturday morning? Don’t you have employees?”
“Bishop’s at a job site this morning, and the kids stayed the night over at Cecilia’s, so I figured I’d come in and get some inventory done,” Charlie yelled over the loud espresso machine. “I wasn’t going to fall back asleep anyway.”
“You should’ve laid in bed all morning,” Harper chastised. “You had the house to yourself!”
“I should’ve, huh?” Charlie said with a laugh, handing us our coffees. “Ah, well. Too late now.”
“How much do I owe you?” I asked, opening my wallet.
“For you two? On the house,” Charlie replied.