We both got to our feet and headed to the front door.
“Hey, where are you guys going? We’re just getting ready to start the movie. I made kettle corn!” Maysie shook the bowl in her hands and looked a little dejected.
Jordan wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “Let ‘em go, Mays. Besides, the things I want to do to you are for our eyes only,” he said, giving his girlfriend a lavicious grin.
Maysie smacked him but flushed in pleasure. I knew that look on her face too well. Meaning Garrett and I had about ten seconds to get out before clothes started to fly.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I said hurriedly, grabbing Garrett’s hand and pulling him out the door.
After getting into Garrett’s van I asked him, “Where to?”
He gave me a little smile. “I have an idea.”
He didn’t say anything more, instead turning on the stereo, the soft strains of an acoustic set filling the van. Garrett started tapping his hands against the steering wheel and singing along with the song. Once again, I was reminded of what an amazing voice he had.
“Why don’t you sing for your band? You’re pretty great,” I gushed a bit. I was surprised to see this laid back, unconcerned guy blush at the compliment.
“Yeah, I don’t do singing in front of big crowds,” he said in explanation.
“But you sang at that bar for open mic night,” I pestered.
“It’s more Cole’s thing than mine. I’m fine with playing the guitar.” He shot me a hot look. “Or I could sing just for you,” he suggested, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip before turning his attention back to the darkened road.
“Like that song you wrote, the one you sang at the dive bar?” I asked. I had always wanted to ask him about that song Wondering if I was right in who it was about.
“So you figured it out then?” he asked, smirking.
“Figured what out?” I was going to play dumb on this one. I wanted to hear him say it.
“That it was about you,” he admitted with a snort.
“I kind of guessed that. You know with the whole ice of your smile and my touch being toxic. I mean, who else could those flattering lyrics be about?” I teased.
“I wrote that from an angry place, Riley. I promise there has been other since then. Much nicer ones,” he said, sounding shy.
“I’d love to hear them sometime,” I replied with a sultry tone that surprised me. I watched with a keen sense of satisfaction as Garrett’s eyes widened and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.
I hid my smile by looking out the window. I didn’t recognize the neighborhoods we were driving through. Bakersville wasn’t a large town but I could admit that I hadn’t made it a point to learn all of its nooks and crannies in my four years here.
The town slowly disappeared as we drove deeper into the countryside. After fifteen minutes or so the van took a turn onto a gravel drive before parking in an overgrown lot. Garrett pulled a couple of flashlights out of the glove compartment.
“Come on,” he said, sounding unusually excited. I got out of the van and waited as he pulled an old blanket and his guitar case off the back seat. Was he expecting us to hang out on a blanket outside in fucking December?
“Uh…” I began, ready to voice my very loud disapproval of this plan. Maybe he was trying to be romantic or something. I was going to tell him not to bother. That he could save his sentiments and take me somewhere warm.
Garrett gave me a wry look, as if reading my mind. “Don’t say anything. Just come on.” He held out his hand and I reluctantly grabbed it. He gave my arm a little shake. “I won’t let you freeze, Ri. Promise,” he vowed with a wink.