Page 47 of Starting Our Chance

“I see.” Duke shifted the car to drive and crept toward the drive-through.

He ordered and tossed me some food.

The smell of grease bathed the inside of the truck. It will probably smell like fast-food for a few days all thanks to me. I could feel the headache coming on. Knowing from past experience the trouble I would be in if I didn’t eat, I begrudgingly opened the white bag and scooped out a few fries. They were piping hot, and my poor tongue instantly had a burn on it.

“When you’re done, we have some very important stuff to talk about,” Duke said, grabbing a fry and cursing about the heat.

The ride was silent for a few more miles. As the effect of the food started to kick in, it was becoming incredibly obvious how silly I had been. It wasn’t the principle of the thing—more like my execution and decorum.

“I’m sorry, Duke,” I said as I plopped the last chicken nugget in my mouth. “I embarrassed you and treated you poorly.”

“I’m rich, Lore.” Duke kept his eyes on the road ahead. “It’s not a crime.”

“Well, congrats to you. I’m not. In fact, I’m far from it.”

“That wasn’t what I was trying to force down your throat at the brunch place, either.” Duke’s hand tightened on the steering wheel.

“I’m not dating you for your money.”

Duke bit out, “Are you dating me at all?”

I turned in my seat. “Excuse me? What the fuck does that mean?”

“You keep sneaking out of my bed—presumably so others don’t know you were sleeping with me. And you insist on buying your own things, which you couldn’t afford as this weekend proved.”

We were bickering like when we were children. It felt so nostalgic that I gave a wry little laugh. Duke cut his eyes to mine, giving me a side-long glance before returning his attention to the road.

This was definitely like old times. Except, now we weren’t on equal playing fields.

There wasn’t much else that I could say, either. So, I summed up my position to him with, “I’m ready to give whatever this thing is between us everything I have. I really am.” I leaned over and gave his arm a squeeze. “But I need my independence. I won’t have it said that I wanted you for your money or property. I want you, Duke, and so . . . I need to forge my own path. But I’m willing to let you help me.” I had quickly added the last part when I saw the storm cloud brewing on his face.

“I need to be able to help you, Gorgeous.” His voice dropped ever so slightly as he added, “Because you help me.”

I knew what was really scaring him— my record for running when it suited me. He clearly needed time to believe that I was adamant, that I was truly staying here with him. It will just take time. And he was right, I would have to make adjustments to fit him into my life. It would be a learning experience, but I was giving this relationship my all.

Adjusting the seatbelts, I laid down on the bench seat with my head on his lap. There hadn’t been a whole lot of sleeping this weekend. Duke, however, had been right: I had snuck back to the couch to keep up the good girl appearance. But it had had nothing to do with my desire to be with him. Time. It will just take time to show him.

I dozed on Duke’s thigh until we got home, content that I had spoken my piece. When he cut the engine, Duke said, “I don’t want to fight with you—especially over something I think is rather silly.”

Although Duke held up his hand to curb my protest, I needed to get the next few words out. “Silly? Duke, I want to be with you. But if you don’t think the way I live my life is serious—especially to me, then you need to rethink this.”

When Duke’s mouth popped open into an O, I took the moment to capture his mouth in a kiss. Then I leaned back and said, “Everything is going to be just fine. I’m sorry about today, but we’ll work through all of this.” I yawned, covering my mouth. “Why don’t we stop at your place for a nightcap?”

It might be three in the afternoon, but I hadn’t gotten much sleep over the trip, and I was ready for bed.

“What if I don’t want to call it a night?” Duke’s voice was husky, and I saw the need in his eyes. This thing between us was healthy and normal. He, however, still needed reassurance that we were okay. And come to think of it, I did, too.

The electricity that shot through me was all-consuming. But the yawn that I couldn’t hide was just as insistent. “Just a drink, if you want one, but I am going home to shower—”

“I have a shower. We can do that together, you know.”

I shook my head and told him that I was going back to my house to check on my mama, clean up, and take a small nap. I promised that I would come over for that nightcap later. “And if you don’t mind my snooping, I would like to see what you’ve done with the place. Mama said it got a full remodel, and I’m curious to see what color you painted our NASCAR theme in your bedroom.”

It was a definite ploy to get into his bed. We both knew it. Duke’s lips twitched upward in a half grin, and he told me that it hadn’t changed that much.

“We just had our first fight,” I said, leaning over to press our foreheads together. “It isn’t the end of the world, Duke, but I need a little space to clear my head. I’ll come over tonight. I promise.”

The tryst was set, and I left for my mama’s house across the pasture.

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