Pulling out my phone, I go to a ride-hailing app, only to be met with a“pick up area unavailable”message.
Are you fucking kidding me?
I open another app and get a screen that reads,“Reserve Not Available.”With no other alternative, I put the gears into Neutral and climb out of the car. Heaving all my weight into the back end, I push on the bumper, slowly easing the car forward. The road isn’t on an uphill ‘slope’ per se, but there’s still a bit of an incline. Wrestling to gain momentum, I actually manage to get the Camry down the block, where the road finally levels out onto a flat surface. It’s so hot outside that I could fry an egg onthe pavement, and that heat radiates off the blacktop like a Mo-Fo.
Exhaustion has me plopping my upper body onto the trunk, which I immediately regret. The hot steel burns my exposed skin all along my arms. Quickly repelling off the surface, I grapple at the scalded flesh with a howl.
A low, theatrical cough resonates behind me as I flail my arms about like an idiot, and I don’t need to look to know who it is. I only peer over my shoulder because I hear a door open and close.
A door to a car Jasedoesn’town.
Yet, there he is, strolling around the front of an old Buick, the black and white paint making it obvious the car used to be a police vehicle, likely back in the 90s.
“Please, anybody but him,” I growl lowly, looking up at the sky.
Jase gives a soft laugh. “Even a serial killer?”
“At least they’d put me out of my misery.”
He laughs again, but I choose to ignore him, turning my attention back to pushing my weight into the bumper.
“Car trouble?”
“No, this is just how I like to travel. I really enjoy putting in the footwork,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
“Yeah, I don’t think Flintstoning your way around town is the safest bet.” He eases my hands off the back end and motions me to the side. “You want me to take a look under the hood?”
“Don’t bother. I already know the problem,” I say, plastering on a fake smile. “There was an idiot behind the wheel.”
“Aww, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself now.” I know he’s just teasing, but I still cut him a glare.
“I wasn’t referring tome. The car’s out of gas.”
He nods, clearly putting the pieces together, which isn’t too hard given that he already knows my sister’s penchant forborrowing other people’s cars. I push him out of the way and head to the front seat, checking the time on my phone. Damn it!
“You have somewhere you’ve gotta be?”
“Yeah, but there’s no way in hell I’m making it there now. The appointment’s at 1:15.” And it’s already 1:08.
“Appointment?”
“For the bridesmaid’s dress.”
“Well, the closest gas station has to be at least a mile from here, not to mention you have to pass through a couple busy intersections to get there.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious. What other helpful insights do you have for me? The sky is blue? Goldfish aren’t actually made of gold? You shouldn’t try microwaving your dog, perhaps?”
He chuckles. “Not exactly. I was just going to offer you a ride. We can go to the appointment, and when you’re done, I’ll swing by a station and fill up a gas can for you.”
“I’m fine.” I know I’m being immature, but I’m also hot and tired and confused and not in the mindset to handle any more of his bullshit right now. I open the first ride-hailing app again, hoping the third time’s the charm, but the phone is plucked from my hands before I can even tap on the screen. “Jase!”
He suddenly grabs me by the waist, and, in one fluid motion, I’m hoisted over his shoulder. “Stop being stubborn, Birdie.”
I uselessly kick my legs and swat my arms at him, but he doesn’t set me back down until he’s standing by the passenger side of the cop car. Even then, Jase doesn’t let me go. Not until he’s lowered me inside the car and on the seat.
“Now…stay,” he warns playfully, mimicking an owner to his feisty canine. As if I have another option. The jackass still has my phone, and he tucks it into his pocket, walking back over to my car and using his muscles far more efficiently to push it closer to the curb before locking up.
“You don’t have to do me any favors,” I say when he gets behind the wheel.
