Page 30 of The Cauldronball Run
Through the driver's window, J.J.could see one troll repeatedly slapping the dashboard-mounted GPS while the other wrestled with the steering wheel.
"Watch this," J.J.said, knowing what was coming."Their GPS is having a meltdown."
Sure enough, even through closed windows, they could hear the synthetic voice shrieking: "Recalculating.Turn right now.No, left.Make a U-turn when possible."
The troll in the passenger seat grabbed the GPS unit and started shaking it."Why won't you just pick a direction?"
"Maybe if you hadn't spilled Mountain Dew on it."
The RV suddenly shot forward in a burst of sparkles, leaving glitter in the air like a craft store explosion.
"They're using fairy dust as fuel additive," J.J.muttered."Must've scraped it from the twins' crash site."
Farrah laughed, and the sound hit him like a punch to the chest.She was so perfect—beautiful, talented, actually wanting him despite everything.The partial bond hummed between them, her contentment warming him even through his anxiety.
It was too good to last.Nothing this good ever lasted for him.
"Hey," Farrah said, her hand landing on his arm."You're spiraling.I can feel your anxiety spiking through the bond."
"We're losing time."
"We're not that far behind, but you're driving like we're being chased by demons."
"No, they passed us hours ago,” he said grumpily.
Her thumb stroked his forearm."Talk to me.What's really eating at you?"
J.J.couldn't look at her.If he did, he'd see those dark eyes full of trust he didn't deserve."You don't understand what it's like.Being worthless."
"Worthless?"Her voice sharpened."The man who just saved two fairies from a crashed car?"
"Any EMT could've done that."
"Any EMT with super strength they gained from their witch mate's magic?"
She used mate so casually, like it was decided, like she actually wanted to be bound to a broke orc forever.
"Farrah, when this is over—when you realize what being with me actually means—"
"Which is what?Being with someone who makes me feel safe?Who looks at me like I hung the moon?Who marked me so thoroughly everyone knows I'm taken?"
Heat flashed through him at the memory, but he pushed it down."Someone who can't even take you to dinner without checking his bank balance first."
"I don't need expensive dinners."
"You deserve them."The words came out rough."You deserve someone who can provide properly.Not an orc swimming in debt who—"
"Listen to me," she said, her voice fierce."You think I'm going to wake up one day and realize I made a mistake?That I'll suddenly care about your debt more than the way you make me feel?"
"It happens."His voice was flat."Reality sets in.Bills come due.Romance dies when you're counting pennies for groceries."
"My ex-husband had money," Farrah said."Lots of it.Know what he didn't have?The ability to make me feel anything except small and worthless."
J.J.finally looked at her.She was furious, her magic actually sparking around her fingers.
"You make me feel powerful," she continued."Desired.Protected.Like I matter.That's worth more than every dollar in every bank."
"Until the lights get shut off for non-payment."
