Page 26

MAGGIE
I was going to learn to drive. I followed behind Gunner who kept his hand wrapped tightly around mine and led me into an office. He opened a drawer and grabbed a set of keys before slamming the drawer closed and leading me outside.
I paused right outside the door, and he stopped walking. “What’s wrong?”
“Should I be outside?” I looked around. “Is it safe?”
He pointed at the high fences. “We’re behind the garages back here so no one can see us unless they come through the garage or the clubhouse. Both entrances are being watched, so no one can come in without permission.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
We started walking again, only stopping when we stood in front of a small two-door car. He lifted his chin in the direction of the car. “This was Becs’s car before she bought the Jeep she drives now. It’s small, easy to handle.” He leaned in close and lowered his voice. “We held on to it because Becs wrecked it more times than we could count, and the damn thing keeps running. Figured it deserves our love for all it’s been through.”
I let out a small giggle. I’d only ridden with Becs one time, and she’d driven really fast, so it wasn’t a big surprise she crashed her car a lot. Gunner smiled, and my stomach flipped, causing a blush to work its way, once again, over my cheeks.
“You ready?”
I nodded, and he handed me the keys. He pulled open the driver’s door and pointed. “Get in.”
I did, and he shut my door before jogging around to the other side and settling in the passenger seat. I sat for a moment and enjoyed the feeling of being in the driver’s seat. I wondered if this was symbolic for my life now. Me, in the driver’s seat. Me, finally taking control. Me, for the first time in my life, actually in charge of my life.
I didn’t know what to do with that, so I shoved it to the back of my mind. I looked down when Gunner placed his hand on my knee. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I said quietly.
“Okay, then put the key in the ignition and turn it.”
I did what he said and felt the engine come to life. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly and looked at Gunner for direction.
He nodded and took a few minutes to point out where things were and helped me adjust the mirrors so I could see. Becs was a lot taller than I was, so I even needed to move the seat forward. “Okay, now put it in drive like I showed you and pull out slowly.”
I pulled my seat belt over my shoulder and clicked it in place before looking over at Gunner and noticed he didn’t have his on. “You may want your seat belt on.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“But I’ve never done this before.” I reminded him.
“There isn’t much trouble you can get in to back here. Plus I don’t think we’ll be going that fast.”
I held my foot on the brake just like he’d said and put the car in drive. Then I looked around the large lot until I heard Gunner’s voice from beside me.
“You have to take your foot off the brake, baby.”
I nodded, slowly moving my foot from the brake, but then felt the car move forward and slammed on the brake again. Gunner jerked forward. He reached out and laid his palm against the dashboard. My face was instantly hot with embarrassment.
“Sorry,” I whispered.
“Don’t apologize,” he responded gently. “Try again.”
I nodded at the windshield and gradually let my foot off the brake again. This time when it started to move slowly, I didn’t panic and just let it drift forward.
“Give it some gas.”
I nodded again and moved my foot to the gas pedal, pressed it gently, but quickly lifted my foot when the car moved forward and put it back on the brake.
Gunner chuckled beside me, but I kept my attention forward. “Again.”
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, wondering if I was ready for this when I heard Gunner’s voice again. “Maggie, look at me.”