Page 39 of Grumpy

“Turn on the damn cage before they realize they forgot to tell us something or forgot to give us something or whatever it is they think they can’t text or call us about.”

Laughing, Kelly started the ignition. “I love your family.”

Grumpy made a sound between a snort and a huff. “They’re your family now, too, Kells.”

“I know,” she said with a smile. “But I like when you remind me of that.”

Wordlessly, Grumpy put his elbow on the console and opened his hand to her. Kelly grinned and took his scarred hand. Together, they put the SUV into Drive, and then Kelly pulled them out of there, lifting their clasped hands in a final wave.

CHAPTER 8

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

“If we keep stopping, we’re never going to get there!”

“And if we don’t keep stopping, you’re going to be in no condition to get there!”

This was the second time they were having this argument. Grumpy’s pain threshold was testing its limits, and they were barely two hours into their drive. Kelly had already stopped at a gas station, even though they didn’t need gas yet. She claimed she had to pee, but insisted he was the one who got out of the cage.

The fucking blinker was like an incessant tick as Kelly pulled off the exit. Grumpy fought to bite back a groan as the cage braked at a red light.

So far, this road trip was not going to plan. Aside from two stops in two hours, Grumpy was the sort who was used to silence with the occasional conversation, whereas Kelly was used to constant conversation over music. Not that she took many road trips, but she did drive her mom to doctor appointments and into town and such.

Grumpy hadn’t even heard of the artists or songs she was listening to. At the garage, he didn’t allow for background music or headphones to be worn because it could be a safety hazard. For many projects, they had to wear earplugs anyway to protect themselves, so what was the point of having the music going? Some of Kelly’s songs sounded familiar, but he couldn’t say who they were by.

And what was so bad about silence? They talk, they settle back with their own thoughts. What was so wrong with that?

Kelly pulled into the first gas station, Jackson’s motorcycle right on their heels. Rather than feigning a bathroom break, though, Kelly threw the SUV into Park and then turned to face Grumpy. “Okay, I have a thought, and please hear me out or I might just leave you here and head down to Texas to see Maddie on my own.”

Grumpy shifted on his seat so he was facing her, too, and waited.

“I know you are trying to be gentlemanly and get my door and walk me to and from places. And I love that about you,” she added quickly. “But for your comfort and my sanity, I think it needs to be the other way around for a bit. Just a bit,” she threw out there again, holding her hands up in surrender. “Watching you in so much pain all to be chivalrous is killing me, Grumpy. So, here’s what I propose. I get you into your seat. I help you situate your pillows and whatever else you need to make this drive easier on you. Then I come around and get back in the driver’s seat. Maybe then we’ll be able to go more than an hour before you have to stop.”

Grumpy wanted to argue that he wasn’t the one who was making them stop, but he paused at the obvious concern and pain on her face. It sobered something inside him. He was trying to power through, trying to be so strong, but in the end, he wasn’t just hurting himself. He was hurting her, too.

And Grumpy would never do anything to hurt Kelly.

He deflated, shoulders slumping and rested his temple against the headrest. “I’m not being fair to you, am I?”

Kelly reached for his tattooed and scarred arm. “You’re not being fair to yourself. Grumpy, I am the one person in the world you don’t have to be strong with.”

But he shook his head at that statement. “I have to be the strongest for you.”

Kelly sagged a little, her expression almost defeated. “I want to say something sappy about us being strong for each other, but I know your stupid male brain will never accept that. But I need you to hear me. Accepting my help does not make you seem weak to me. If anything, it makes you seem less dumb. So please, Grumpy, just let me help you.”

Grumpy looked away from her, his eye landing on the rundown convenience store across from the gas pumps. He hated being so helpless, but his pride wasn’t so unmovable that he would risk harming Kelly, emotionally or physically. “Get Jackson.”

She looked uncertain for a second before she reached for her phone.

Jackson hopped off his sled, removed his helmet, and was at Grumpy’s window a second later. “Yes, sir?”

Grumpy lowered the glass. “Slight change of plans. Kelly is going to help me get into the cage at each stop. You are to stand at her back as she does and then walk her around to the driver’s side. You are not to leave her until she is locked inside. Is that understood?”

Jackson nodded once. “Yes, sir.”

“If she needs to go inside and I do not, you are to escort her. She pays for nothing, she holds nothing. Do you understand me?”