Page 20

CLOVER

As we drive away from the bottle trees, I scroll through the footage on my camera, already planning how I’ll edit it. The colors are even better than I’d hoped, and there’s a dreamlike quality to the light that no filter could replicate.

With my emotions still racing on high adrenaline and the silence in the truck driving me a little insane, I decide to break through the deafening stillness. “Thank you,” I say abruptly.

Phoenix glances over. “For what?”

“For not making fun of me back there. For not acting like it was stupid or a waste of time.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then glances back at me. “It meant something to you, Reel Girl. That makes it not stupid.” His lips turn up in the most gorgeous, genuine smile I have ever seen before he turns back to the road.

The simple statement hits me harder than I expect, even with his apparent new nickname for me.

How many times has Maverick tried to talk me out of things because he thought they’re silly or not worth my time?

How many times have people looked at my diabetes and decided it meant I needed to be protected from everything, including my own interests?

Trying my hardest not to look like an overexcited idiot, I rein in my smile and continue as normal. “Next stop is Peggy Sue’s,” I say as calmly as possible, checking the map. “It’s this amazing fifties-style diner. Pink and turquoise everything, with an actual jukebox. It’s got the works.”

“Sounds like your kind of place,” Phoenix chimes, and this time, there’s no judgment in his voice, just an observation.

“How’d you guess?” I laugh. “I’m a sucker for milkshakes and aesthetic.”

“You’re going to want pictures, I assume?” There’s resignation in his voice, but it’s good-natured.

“Obviously. That’s literally the whole point of this trip,” I jest.

He chuckles, a slow grin forms on his face, and then he suddenly groans. “Oh jeez, what on earth is this?” he grumbles, moving for the dial on the radio to turn it down as “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan starts playing.

Bursting out laughing, I slap his hand away and turn it up instead. “In case you have forgotten, sir, you created this playlist, and therefore, you can only blame yourself !”

He sinks back into his seat as I sing along to the words at the top of my lungs to spite him. But I don’t miss the way his lips turn up in the corner or his thumb subtly tapping on the steering wheel along to the beat. Plus, my girl, Chappell, is literally giving me the blueprint in this song to let go and do what you want.

I’m just having fun.

And I am glad that Phoenix is chill enough to let me be myself around him, even if he is desperately trying to pretend he hates these songs.

I will wear him down!

As I belt out “Azizam” by Ed Sheeran, we reach Peggy Sue’s, and my stomach starts growling. On the outside, the diner is everything I hoped it would be—a slice of nostalgia. The entrance is literally like a giant jukebox.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, finally turning down the radio as Phoenix pulls up the truck.

He turns off the ignition, and we both sit and stare for a moment. Finally, he breaks the silence. “Why do I feel like I’m about to be fed a peanut butter and jelly hamburger with extra meat, extra bacon, and cheese, served to me by Elvis?”

I snort out a laugh but nod in agreement. “Don’t forget the milkshake. There’s got to be some kind of milkshake in there somewhere.”

He turns to me, his face completely serious. “And curly fries. With that super thick, yellow, cheesy sauce,” he says deadpan.

Nodding my head slightly, I try not to laugh. “Mmm, delicious,” I reply.

He inhales sharply, but a smile tugs at his lips before he can stop it, and then he bursts into laughter. The sound is like music to my ears—melodic, contagious—and it pulls me in until I’m laughing too. Soon, we’re both in fits of giggles in the front of the truck, each of us setting the other off in a cycle of laughter that only ends when we’re breathless and spent.

Phoenix glances across at me, relaxing his muscles. Then, surprisingly, his hand slides out, taking mine.

My eyes widen as I face him, giving him my full attention. “You okay?” I ask.

He slides his fingers through mine, truly joining our hands this time. My heart gallops at full speed. “Look, we don’t know what they’re going through back there, just like they don’t know what we’re going through. They will never understand the emotional toll that our having to leave them has put on us. The only two people who will ever understand that is us.” I tighten my fingers around his, letting him know I completely understand. “So, I think every now and then, some manic laughter to get through is a completely sane way to cope.”

“You know what I think?” I reply.

He narrows his eyes on me. “Why do I feel like I will immediately regret it if I engage in this—”

“Do. You. Want. To. Know. What. I. Think?” I cut in.

He groans, rolling his eyes. “Fuck. Go on then, what do you think?” he drones.

Grinning, I slide off my seat belt and open the door, ready to hop out. “I think I want to meet Elvis and eat some ridiculously greasy food. You in, Presley?” I dish him out his own nickname.

He glares at me, but I can’t wipe the smile from my face as I jump out and move to the back of the truck to grab my bag. “Nope. We’re not doing that.”

Giggling under my breath as he starts to get out, I grab my bag, close the rear door, and start walking toward the diner’s entrance. “Doing what?” I call back, feigning innocence.

“The whole Elvis nickname thing. Not happening!”

As I reach the front door, I grin, turning back to him. “Why? Has Reel Girl got you all shook up?”

Phoenix groans, throwing his hands in the air in frustration. “Don’t engage, man. Don’t fucking engage.”

Laughing to myself, I push open the doors and step inside. My eyes widen in awe, and I can’t help it as I stop, taking it all in. Suddenly, a huge wall slams into me from behind. I gasp, letting out a small squeal as I start falling forward, but a pair of strong arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me against his body, while I grip onto my bag for dear life.

My breaths are frantic as his cologne invades my senses. I can’t help but close my eyes feeling so fucking safe and warm wrapped up in his arms. My pulse is frantic, and I bite down on my bottom lip, trying to control the way my body reacts. My clit begins to throb, being this close to Phoenix. I feel everything. And instantly, my watch monitor starts to beep for the second time, breaking me from my very inappropriate thoughts. My eyes snap open as I take a cautious step away from Phoenix, my cheeks flushing with heat as I rush to turn the stupid thing off.

Before either of us can say anything, a server steps up to us wearing her telltale turquoise and pink uniform. Her short, gray hair is trimmed tightly to her face, and the headwear to match the uniform sits neatly on top, completing the look. But it’s her kind face that sets me instantly at ease. “Well, hey there, lovebirds. Y’all want a table for two and some menus?” the server asks, a southern drawl to her tone.

“Oh no, we’re not,” we both reply in unison.

Again.

The server looks from me to Phoenix, then back to me, and tries to fight her grin. “Whatever you say. You still wanna table? Normally, folks can seat themselves, but I think you kids need a nice table.”

“Oh, yes, please,” I reply.

She grins. “Okay, darlin’, follow me,” she chimes. However, somehow, I haven’t had the courage to look at Phoenix yet.

The server ushers us off and leans into my side as we walk. “Just a word from an ol’ woman who’s been married for twenty-four years to a man who held me like that before we officially started datin’. Sweetheart, that boy would walk over fire for you. You hold onto him. Men like that are hard to find,” she whispers in my ear, then pulls back, handing me the menus with a wink.

“All right, here’s your table. Y’all give me a holler when you’re ready. The name’s Carol.”

Smiling up at my new friend, I slide into the booth seat. “Thanks, Carol. Appreciate it.”

“Oh, and we have a special on milkshakes and curly fries today if you’re interested,” she states, then wanders off.

I pull my lips in tight, trying my hardest not to laugh, but Phoenix chuckles under his breath beside me. So, I finally find the courage to glance at him. “I mean, the universe is practically forcing us to get a milkshake and curly fries at this point.”

He chuckles. “We wouldn’t want to go against the universe.” He grins, picking up his menu and scanning it. Then, his face falls into what looks like horror. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“What’s wrong?”

He slowly places the menus back down on the table, shaking his head. “The burger is named after Buddy Holly? Buddy Holly! Fuck off.” He slides the menus across the table in mock disgust.

Smiling to myself, I nudge my shoulder into his. “Aww, it’ll be okay, Presley. When we get to Vegas, I’m sure there will be some weird Elvis-inspired food there for you.”

He slowly spins to face me. “Oh, no, there is an Elvis item on the menu, Clo.” He reaches for the menu and dramatically points to it.

I glance down seeing the Jailhouse Rock Soup. Peering back up at him, I can’t help but giggle. “At least he’s on the menu.” I shrug.

“Soup? Soup ! I wanted something disgusting I could order and then try it and be surprised at how much I actually liked it.”

“You really wanted a burger with peanut butter and jelly in it?” I ask, raising my brow.

He shrugs like it’s nothing. “Didn’t Elvis used to eat weird combos like that?”

“I don’t freaking know, you weirdo. But I’m kinda intrigued as to why you want to, Phoenix. Are you pregnant?” I joke.

He scoffs at me, the smile returning to his face. “Hardy-fucking-har. No. I guess, with everything going on…” He rolls his eyes. “Forget it, it’s stupid.”

“Hey, talk to me. Whatever you’re thinking, it means something to you. That makes it not stupid.” I throw his words back at him.

He exhales with an understanding nod, then continues, “It’s just with the shit going on with the club, and after meeting Luke and hearing his story, I want to try new things, even if it is fucking horrible. I don’t want to waste a second. I don’t want to miss out on anything. As I said, I’m just being stupid.” He turns away from me, looking out the window, but my heart races so fast I can barely breathe.

The thing is, it’s not stupid at all.

It makes perfect sense.

Letting out a long breath, I turn to face Carol and signal her over.

She hurries back, bringing her notepad with her, smiling as she approaches. “Y’all ready to order?” she asks with a bright smile.

Grinning, I pick up the menu. “Oh, yeah. I hope you’re ready, Carol, because we are hungry—”

“We are?” Phoenix questions.

Turning to him, I grin. “We don’t want to miss out on anything,” I simply tell him.

A fire lights behind his eyes, almost like I’m seeing Phoenix being reborn right before my very eyes. It’s a beautiful sight. His chest puffs out, and he tilts his head in acknowledgment.

“Clover’s right, Carol. We want two of everything you have on the menu. We wanna try it all.”

A slow smile crosses Carol’s lips as she places her paper and pen in her pocket. “You got it.” She leans down next to my ear, just so I can hear, and whispers, “Looks like you’d walk over fire for him too.” She pulls back, winking at me, then takes off to put in our order.

Phoenix sits back, taking in the ambiance of the place. “Despite their lack of gross Elvis-inspired food that I was looking forward to tasting, this place is pretty fucking cool.”

“Who knew you were such an Elvis fan? I sure didn’t?” I state, beginning to pull out my equipment to take some shots for the campaign.

He goes quiet, and the sudden drop in conversation causes me to look up. It’s like the fire I saw burning inside him is slowly fizzling out. Furrowing my brows, I tilt my head in confusion. “Hey, did I say something wrong?”