Page 25 of Excitable Boy
Tony also got full insurance on it, including the extra gap-coverage, just in case. They had great credit, so it was worth the few extra bucks a month for peace of mind.
Considering their shitty-assed luck lately, it was more than worth the expense.
Before they left the dealership, Tony moved the new tire out of Loren’s trunk and into the back of the Pilot. They still needed to drop off Loren’s car, go home, Tony had to change the tire on the CRV, and then take that out to get the donut fixed.
By the time all was said and done, it was nearly six o’clock when they returned home, plus Tony had gone ahead and ordered a new wheel for the CRV while they were at the dealership, and had ordered a tire for it while getting the donut fixed, so they’d have a full-sized spare for it in addition to the donut.
If Shayla was going to be driving it, he wanted her to be safe. They could stash the donut in the garage.
Once they were locked inside the house, they stripped and he buckled her collar and cuffs on her so she could heat them up leftover pizza. He sprawled on the couch and channel-surfed while waiting for dinner.
Home.
It felt weird not stressing over work, for a change. He’d finally turned on his work phone that morning and put it on its charger, but there was nothing for him to worry about right now. He’d be unburying himself from e-mails for most of next week, but he didn’t fuckingcare.
He wanted Shay to have his undivided attention tonight.
She brought their pizza over to the coffee table, and it felt better than fantastic to have her pressed against his side.
He leaned in and nibbled the side of her neck, leaving a little smear of sauce behind that he licked up. “Missed you so much, pet.”
She blushed as she smiled at him. “Missed you, too, Sir.” She tipped her head onto his shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re home. This was a good day.”
“Sure I can’t talk you into taking the Pilot to work?”
She sighed. “I know I’m weird, but I like your car.”
“The Pilot’s fully insured, pet.” He grinned at her dark scowl.
“Not funny, Sir,” she grumbled, but in that way that let him know she wasn’t really aggravated with him.
“So. Where are we going on vacation?”
Another grumble from her. “I haven’t decided yet, Sir. Shit went sideways on me last week.”
“Yeah, it sort of did, didn’t it? Would you like me to decide for us?”
“Do we even need a decision?” she asked. “Can’t we just…drive? I mean look what happened to our best-laid plans?”
He thought about it. “You do have a point. You wouldn’t mind just taking off?”
“No, I wouldn’t mind. I’m actually scared to plan. I’m going to assume it’ll get fucked before we even hit the state line.”
The more he thought about it… “You know, I really do like that idea,” he finally said. “Let’s just pack a suitcase and go.”
“I have only one request,” she said.
“And that is?” He took a sip of his hard cider.
“We don’t go anyfuckingwhere near goddamnedDenver!”
He started laughing and choked on his hard cider, blowing half of it out his nose and making his eyes water at the pain.
Shayla almost managed not to laugh.
Almost.
He’d give her full credit for that.
