DAHLIA ALDRIDGE
“Okay. I can do this,” I whispered, gripping the steering wheel of my dad’s BMW as I eyed the driveway ahead of me. I looked towards the house, knowing that my parents weren’t home. Heck, most of the adults except for Stratton’s grandma were out because of the event at the club. Yet I still felt like there were eyes on me, and considering what I was doing, that wasn’t a good thing.
Still, this seemed like the perfect time to try driving.
I knew I should have waited for my dad—he had mentioned teaching me—but I was so jealous that all the boys had been practicing this summer, and I didn’t want to be the only one missing out. Besides, it was almost my sophomore year of high school, so when everyone got back, people would either have their license or be getting them. I didn’t want to be behind.
Staring down at the wheel, I pressed the button to turn on the car, keeping my foot on the brake. The dashboard lit up and I swallowed nervously, my fingers shaking with excitement as I nibbled my lip. I could do this. I could totally do this. Taking in a sharp inhale, I put the car into drive and lifted my foot off the brake. An excited sound came from my throat as I gently pressed on the gas, the car lurching forward causing me to let out a small scream and slam on the brakes again.
Holy crap. Never mind. I couldn’t do this.
I sank back against the seat and considered turning off the car completely. Instead, I looked down at my phone and let out a frustrated grumble, knowing that there was only one person around who could help.
Not Lincoln or Sterling, who were at practice.
Not King, who had run by the golf course to help his dad with something.
Not Stratton…but that wasn’t surprising.
No, there was only one person, and it took me putting away every ounce of my ego and pride to open up my phone and press the button to call him.
“Bunny?” Yates questioned, his voice sounding sleep-filled.
“Were you sleeping?”
“Was,” Yates agreed and groaned. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, never mind,” I muttered, “Um, forget I called.”
I hung up, feeling bad for waking him up and having completely chickened out asking for help. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to make a difference. I was still staring down at the phone when the car door was pulled open.
I jolted in surprise, letting out a small scream as my foot came off for a mere second before I slammed it back on, causing me to lurch forward and hit my head on the wheel. A groan came from my throat as Yates leaned over and threw the car in park, oddly quiet considering how badly I’d just embarrassed myself. I had at least expected him to tease me.
Instead, he turned me in my seat and examined my forehead. I stared at him in shock, realizing that he really had literally just woken up. His hair was messy, and his shirt was wrinkled. It was so unlike Yates, but I secretly loved it.
“What the hell are you doing?” he finally demanded, looking pissed.
“I…” My eyes watered in frustration. I looked down at my hands, feeling stupid as my mouth tipped downward. “I want to learn how to drive like you guys, and I thought it would be good to try it when my parents weren’t home.”
Yates was quiet for a moment before I looked up at him, expecting to see judgment. Instead, there was a softness in his gaze as he finally exhaled. I felt my eyes widen as he closed the door and tapped the hood, walking around the front and sliding in.
“What are you doing?” I asked softly.
“Teaching you how to drive, bunny.”
My eyes were heavy and my head fuzzy as I let out a small whimper, stretching my hands above my head. I winced, my ribs ridiculously sore, as suddenly a warm, rough hand slid over the tender skin, making me sigh happily.
“Careful, bunny.” Yates’s voice was rough and filled with concern. “Your ribs are pretty messed up right now.”
I bet they were after that solid kick they had landed. I let out a sleepy yawn and turned towards his voice, ignoring the way the movement pinched slightly. When I opened my eyes, I found that I was in a plush bed with soft blue comforters and pillows. Light filled the space, and a large window showcased a lush green landscape that was currently damp with light rain. I let out a happy sigh before moving my gaze towards Yates, who sat in a chair near my bedside.
You know, despite the situation I found myself in, I realized that it took very little to make me happy. Just seeing Yates alive had me feeling ten times better.Although it would be nice if he didn’t always look so damn perfect—it was unfair.
“Not perfect.” Yates chuckled at the words I spoke out loud, but it was tinged with pain and what sounded like guilt. “Far from perfect, Dahlia.”
I didn’t like this guilt nonsense.
He sat forward and gently ran his fingers over my skin, shivers trailing his touch. It didn’t take much from Yates to get a reaction out of me. And I fully wanted to tell him that he was wrong, he was perfect, even right now. I knew without looking in a mirror that I was black and blue, that I looked like what I’d gone through, but Yates? Yates looked like nothing had even occurred over the past few days. There wasn’t a hair out of place on the man.