Page 120 of Revival
“You were speeding.” He straightens and hands a ticket through the window.
“You and I both know I wasn’t speeding.”
His fingers twitch on his belt. “According to me, you were. Pay the ticket. Or don’t. Fuck if I care.”
I nod and toss the ticket onto the passenger seat. “See you in court.”
He lingers a moment longer, detaining me with his presence. I won’t drive off until he’s back in his car. I wouldn’t put it past him to call it in as an attempt to flee a traffic stop.
He whoops his sirens once more, then peels out around me, speeding off over the hill in a cloud of dust.
Fuck, I hate that fucking guy.
I pull back on the road, and this time, I do speed to my destination. If he wants to write me a second ticket, he can be my fucking guest. It’s his fault I’m late to get my girl.
A few minutes later, I pull up to the single family home. The front garden is vibrant in the daylight. A mixture of green Hostas and carefully curated colorful flowers. If I remember correctly, she must have picked up the hobby from her mom.
I leave the truck at Cortney’s curb and knock on her front door. The heavy wood swings inward. She opens the door, her eyes sparkling up at me as she fixes her earring.
Today’s dress is an olive green with cream flowers and tiny straps across her shoulders. The neckline is cut straight, showing off soft, tan skin across her chest.
“Hey. Everything okay?” A line of concern develops between her eyebrows. I sweep her into my arms, brushing off her question with a kiss.
“Perfect now,” I say against her lips, tasting the fruity gloss. “Ready to go?”
“Let me just grab my shoes and purse.” Her smile is sincere as she scampers around the corner.
A moment later, we’re back in my truck. Her ass is in my passenger seat, and my hand is on her thigh.
“Sorry I was late. Hope you didn’t wait long.” I flick my gaze off the road only long enough to scan her face.
“I hardly noticed. I wound up chitchatting with Ollie, and suddenly, there you were.”
“How’s he doing? Still riding the high of last week’s game?”
Cortney beams across the console at me. “He is. Actually, we were talking baseball. There’s a clinic coming up in Minneapolis that he’s been invited to.”
“That’s awesome. He’ll have a great time.”
“He is. I’m just a little concerned about him driving all that way himself. He’s still a newly licensed driver.”
“So go with him.”
“I don’t think he wants his mother tagging along.”
“Sure he does. Who wouldn’t want to spend the weekend with you?”
“Let’s see.” She taps her chin. “A seventeen-year-old boy and his best friend.”
I chuckle. “That’s only because they’re going to have their eyes out for girls.”
“Don’t I know it.” She sighs. “Lincoln was invited too. I’m going to call Juniper later and see how they’re feeling about the boys making the three-hour trip together.”
“Do you think she’ll say no?”
“She’ll say yes. I suppose for most people, that would make things easier…”
“There’s no need to make comparisons. You feel how you feel, and that’s valid.”
