Page 82 of Truck Me
I rarely need them in the winter. We can go months on end without seeing the sun. But this is a rare winter storm that’s leaving us with clear skies for the day. With any luck, it’ll last a few days before the gray Ohio winter skies return.
Bullet remains close to my side as we make our way through the snow to my garage. I should spend the morning clearing a path, but I have other plans in mind.
When we reach the garage, Bullet looks up at me like she doesn’t understand what I’m doing.
I furrow my brows. “What is it, girl?”
She lets out a low whine as I unlock the door, then she pushes through and rushes over to her bed.
I shake my head and chuckle. “Is it too cold for you?”
She barks in reply.
“What if I tell you we’re going to see Rayne and Charlotte? Does that make it all better?”
Her ears perk up, but she doesn’t speak. She watches me as I dig out the tubes I’ve had buried in the back of my garage for years. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone tubing, so I’m hoping these are still intact. I can’t even recall the last time they were used.
They’re deflated, and upon initial inspection, I don’t see any holes. The only way to really know if they’re fine is to blow them up.
Flipping on the air compressor, I blow up the first one I grabbed out of the box. It seems to be fine, so I fill it until the plastic is taut, then set it by the door.
Three of the four tubes I have are fine. A large rip made itself known the minute I started pumping air in one of them. It could probably be patched, but I decided to toss it. They’re old enough that I might as well buy a new one instead.
But three tubes are plenty for the excursion I have planned.
I open the door and carry two of the tubes to my truck. I tie them down, so they won’t blow away when I drive down the highway.
When I turn back toward the garage to grab the last one, Bullet is standing in the doorway watching me.
“What?” I ask. “Is this a bad idea?”
She sits in the doorway, blocking my way in. The look on her face suggests the answer to my question is yes.
“It is, isn’t it?” I let out a low huff and push my way around her. Once inside the garage, I pause.
Running my fingers through my hair, I glance around. Maybe I should stay home and work on Charlotte’s car instead. I’ve still got several more hours of work to do before it’s done.
Or my bike. I’ve got a few weeks of work left before it’s functional. Spending the day tubing with my two favorite girls is not the best use of my time.
But I want to see them. I want to spend the afternoon having fun for a change. It’s been so long since I allowed that for myself, and I don’t want to walk away from that need like I always do.
My life may have been tough, and I might have a secret that could destroy the connection I’ve formed with Charlotte—and Rayne—but I still deserve a little fun in my life.
“Fuck it,” I mumble.
I grab the third tube and wave Bullet out the door. Once the last tube is tied down, I open the driver side door and Bullet hops in. I start the truck before I grab the ice scraper and clean off the windows. Thankfully, it’s mostly snow and wipes off with ease. That makes the job quick, and I’m sliding into the driver’s seat in a matter of minutes.
“Ready to go see our girls?” I rub the top of her head and she wags her nub of a tail.
My already tense nerves heighten during the short drive to the Weber house. Maybe I should have called or texted Charlotte first. We don’t exactly have the type of relationship where unannounced visits are the norm.
We said we’d be exclusive, but that doesn’t mean we’re telling the world we’re an item.
Are we an item? We didn’t put very many parameters on what we’re doing. We’re having sex with each other and no one else. That’s not the same thing as being an item. For all I know, she has no desire to be seen with me.
Before I can change my mind, I’m pulling into their driveway.
I exhale deeply when I see Rayne’s smiling face looking at me out of the bay window from the house. That should relax me, but it has the opposite effect. I’m glad she’s happy to see me, but it’s Charlotte’s reaction that has me worried.