“Let me go with you?—”
“That’s a hard no. I can do this.”
“I’m the best man, and it’s my duty to keep this shit show on the rails. We go together, and we’ll find her if it takes all night.” The thought of being in a vehicle with Fern made me hope it would take hours and hours and hours to find Tawnee.
“Fine!”
I insisted I drive. In the back of my mind, I was a tad worried that the second I hopped out she’d drive off. So my driving was the best way to assure I wouldn’t be looking for a bride and Fern.
Once in the way-too-quiet truck, I cleared my throat.
“Where are some of her favorite spots?” I looked over to see the light of her dial pad illuminating her perfect face.
“I think we head toward the North Loop.”
“Really? That’s a lot of ground to cover.”
“I know, but it’s her favorite place. Between the gay bar and restaurants, it’s all her.”
“I want to talk?—”
“No talking or so help me I’ll jump out of this moving vehicle. Let’s just have a no-talking-about-anything-but-Tawnee rule. Please. My heart is breaking for her, and I’m worried out of my mind.”
“Fine.” I looked over. “So we pretend we never met?”
She grunted. “Whatever it takes to forget you.”
“You can’t forget me.”
She dramatically spoke in a high-pitched voice while her hands flew in the air. “Yes, when I think about you, I touch myself. Meaning I rub my temples because you give me a fucking migraine.”
“Ouch.” I looked over. “You’re a lot meaner than I would’ve thought.”
“Can you hit the gas like you have a pair instead of taking a Sunday afternoon drive? I have a cousin to find and shake some sense into so I’m kind of in a hurry.”
“Wow.”
“If we’re using one syllable words to describe individuals in this stupid truck, mine would be tool.”
“Whoa.” I grinned, swearing a little smoke was coming from her ears. “Now you’re going after my truck?”
She shook her head, “Let’s just say a stray bullet might just entertain me tonight.”
I gasped, “That’s just plain mean.”
“Just drive.”
I hit the little button on my steering wheel, sat back, and waited as she shifted in her seat. Now I just wanted to get under her skin. She shifted once, then again. “Problem over there? Other than your shitty attitude?”
“Nothing.” She glared at me. “I think my buns are on fire. Please fix that.”
“No can do. The butt warmer busted just the other day.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “I don’t believe you.”
“Believe whatever you want, sweetheart. But when your backside is steaming, feel free to scoot a little closer.”
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” Her fist shot up. “You and your dark motives. Just stop. Can’t you see I’m with someone else? You’re just an annoying pothole in the rearview mirror.” She opened her coat and fanned herself with it. “Thank God that disastrous ride is over.”
