What parent names their kid after a state? I considered this and immediately thought of all the parents that name their children after cities and countries. Those poor Brooklyns, Londons, Chinas, Dakotas, ohmy.
"Not a nickname, it's his real name. Here, give it to me, I'll take care ofit."
"No!" I jerked the phone as far away from him as I could. "You're driving. I'm not letting you text. I'll send it, just tell me what you want towrite."
"Fine." His smile disappeared. "What did hesay?"
“It says,‘Are you bringing the package?’” I relayed the message, curious about the way his jawtightened.
"Tell him that I'll be delivering the package within the nexthour."
I squinted at him, expecting him to crack a smile, but he didn't tell me he was joking. I had assumed he would be with me for the next hour, but maybe we would be done by then. I shrugged and typed out a quick, shortenedversion.
Bellamy:In anotherhour.
The response was almostinstantaneous.
Texas:Who the hell is this and where isBell?
I glanced at Bellamy, before typing myreply.
Bellamy:My name is Harlow, I'm riding with Bellamy. He's driving right now, asked me to text forhim.
The wait was slightly longer this time, but no more than a few minutes before the phone was buzzing in my lapagain.
Texas:Where areyou?
I looked out the window and scrunched my eyes as we passed the next green exit sign. I caught the sign number and turned back to thephone.
Bellamy:We just passed exit98.
Texas:You'll be here soon. Thankyou.
Bellamy:What about yourpackage?
Texas:Don't worry aboutit.
I dropped the phone. Who was this guy? I peered atBellamy.
"What did he say?" heasked.
"Nothing." I grabbed the phone. ”Do you still want me to text Alex?” I asked, my hand hovering over the phone. He shook his head and I placed it in the console betweenus.
"Awful lot of typing for nothing to say," he mused, ignoring my question. I guess he didn’t need to text Alex anymore. Bellamy steered the BMW back into one of the slower lanes. "She handles beautifully, doesn't she?" He angled forward to rub one hand on the dashboard. "Marv knows I'll treat her well, so I'm the only one aside from him allowed to drive her. Although if Texas or Knix really needed this baby, he wouldn't sayno."
I didn't comment on my own previous thoughts, but I was smug knowing that I was correct in my assumption that this car wasMarv's.
"Bet she carries a lot of packages for you, huh?" The remark was met with a few moments ofquiet.
"Not usually,no."
"Somehow, though, I don't believe you." I turned away from him, glaring out thewindow.
"I know you're confused, Harlow, but please remember what Charles toldyou."
I wrinkled my nose. "Charles?"
"Principal Wiggins," he explained. "I'm not a bad guy, Sweetheart." He peered over at me beseechingly. "Texas isn't either. You might like him. Don't worry, we're goodpeople."