Noah’s not exactly the type to not do something because someone else told him not to. He does what he wants to do and I love that attitude about him, I just worry it’s going to get him into trouble one day.
“Nah,” he says shrugging off the suggestion as though it had a bit of merit. “It’d be good, but drag racing is too much effort. We have to shut down the streets and that brings too much attention. Besides, the Camaro is too loud and too easily recognized for that shit.”
My eyes flick over to the car in question as Tully scoffs from inside. “You could take your girl out on a date like a regular fucking dude,” she yells through the open door.
I choke back a laugh as Noah’s eyes shoot to mine. “What the hell are you laughing at?”
“It’s just…I don’t think we’ve ever actually been on a date.”
“What?” he grunts. “Of course we have.”
“Name one time.”
Tully calls out once again. “Bet you fifty bucks he can’t.”
“I’m not taking that bet,” I shoot back. “I already know he can’t.”
“Shut up,” Noah scolds. “I’m trying to think.”
“Geez, I’m so glad all our dates are so memorable to you,” I smirk as a black Firebird pulls up, making Noah sit up a little straighter as he watches the newcomer.
“Who the fuck is this?” he murmurs beside me.
We watch the car for a moment before the door opens and Rivers’ head shoots out the driver’s side. “You fucking like it?” he calls across the yard as the passenger’s side door opens too. “I got a new fucking car.”
Noah gets up beside me and walks towards Rivers’ new car as Alyssa appears from the passenger side. Shit. Why did he have to bring her here of all places? This is our sacred place. No one in, no one out. I learned that the hard way and here he is walking in with this strange girl. It’s bad enough that I’m going to have to pretend to be nice to her considering it looks as though Rivers wants to date her.
I walk forward, pleased that Tully is still inside for now, but it won’t be long before she comes out to see what all the fuss is about.
“What the fuck is this piece of shit?” Noah laughs, punching Rivers in the arm.
“Fuck off,” Rivers says. “It ain’t no piece of shit. It’s a fucking gem. She just needs a little work,” he nods his head towards the Camaro. “Now, that’s a piece of shit.”
“Hey, now,” I cut in as Alyssa walks around to join us, giving us a nervous smile. “That Camaro is no piece of shit.”
Noah walks around the car, doing the usual guy inspection thing as Rivers stands back proudly. “I spoke to Nate over in Broken Hill. He’s going to work on her. Get her up to scratch.”
“Dude,” Noah grumbles. “I doubt you could afford Nate. He’s working on multi-million dollar cars. He’s not going to do this kind of shit.”
“Yeah, but he’s got a soft spot for bringing race cars back from the dead.”
“True,” Noah says, getting back to his inspection, ducking his head in through the driver’s door and popping the hood.
Rivers continues watching proudly as he nudges me with his elbow. “What’s going on?” he asks, keeping a close eye on Noah’s reactions to his car.
Tully shouts through the door once again, clearly not realizing that there’s a guest, otherwise, she’d probably be storming out the door in a furious rage. “Noahsaurus is trying to remember if he’s ever taken Henley on a date.”
“Awwww, shit,” Rivers groans, looking to me. “This isn’t going to end well.” I shake my head, completely agreeing with him as Noah smirks to himself.
Noah’s head suddenly shoots up, wide-eyed as he looks to me. “I got it,” he shouts proudly. “There was that time we went to that Italian restaurant across from the gas station. You ordered some pasta bullshit.”
I shake my head again. “Bum, bum,” I say, giving him a thumbs down and impersonating a buzzer as Alyssa chuckles to herself. “I don’t know who the fuck you went to an Italian restaurant with, but it sure as hell wasn’t me.”
“Oh, shit,” Rivers murmurs to himself.
“Bullshit,” Noah says. “I remember it.”
“Nah, man,” Rivers laughs. “That was Monica. You took her there because she wasn’t putting out and you were hoping to…you know.”
“Fuck,” Noah cringes, looking to me with a guilty as shit expression before a wide smile pulls over his lips. He strides towards me and crashes down into me, sending us both down to the ground and making me squeal out like a little bitch before he nuzzles his face into my neck. “Sorry, babe,” he says with a chuckle, drawing the words out. “How do you feel about Italian tonight?”