Page 3 of Slam Dunk
Jathan headed for his Bugatti Chiron. “I just fit, but I can. The passenger seat gives a hair more room. But I think, since you’re maybe two inches shorter than me, my seat settings would work even better for you.” He opened the driver’s side door.
Quince took off his cowboy hat and looked inside. Jathan couldn’t look at anything but him. “This is gorgeous. Tip has all the money, but he’s not a big car-collecting type of guy. He’s addicted to buying land.”
“Yeah, he’s smarter than me. He’s actually making an investment.” Jathan never hesitated to be honest about himself. He had spoiled himself for a little while. Jathan had calmed down in the last few years. He understood his money had to last him for the rest of his life.
“Climb in. The getting out is the hardest part.”
Quince looked nervous. “Nah. My boots always have some mud somewhere on them. I don’t want to get your car dirty.”
Jathan shook his head. “I’m not worried about that. What’s the point of owning a car if you don’t enjoy it? Come on.” He motioned again toward the driver’s side. Jathan circled the car and climbed into the passenger seat. He settled in to wait.
Finally, Quince eased behind the wheel. “Damn. There really is more room than it seems. I think if you were two inches taller, it’d be impossible for you to drive.”
“Agreed. Shut the door. Let’s go for a ride.”
Quince’s panicked gaze shot his way. “No way in hell I’m driving a three-million-dollar car. I don’t even know what that kind of money looks like.”
“Actually, this version is ten million, but it’s cool. Come on. It’s insured. You can drive like a granny, if you want. You know you want to.” Jathan used his best cajoling voice.
Quince stared straight ahead for a moment.
Jathan held his breath.
Quince shut his door.
With a hyena-sounding laugh, Jathan strapped in before showing Quince how to do the same.
Quince glanced in the mirror and then looked behind him. “How do you open the garage?”
“Just start inching back. It’ll open.”
Quince did as instructed. He looked nervous as hell. Jathan’s eyes refused to budge from him. He forced them away. Quincewas already uncomfortable. Jathan didn’t want to make it worse. Quince genuinely drove like an elderly person for one spin around the block before returning to the garage. The door opened automatically again as they approached. When Quince killed the engine, he released a breath so hard, Jathan wondered if he had been holding the air in his lungs the entire time.
“Whee!”
At Jathan’s unexpected squeal of delight, Quince burst out laughing. His eyes swam with happiness. “You’re one of a kind. You know that, right?”
Quince’s claim had a pain stabbing Jathan right in the chest. He liked Quince too much. He was already getting too attached for having no idea if Quince would want to do this again.
“Same. Do you want to drive any of the rest of these cars?”
Quince didn’t even look. He pulled a pitiful face. “Please don’t ever make me do that again.”
“Don’t worry. I promise I’ll never hit you with peer pressure again.” With a laugh, Jathan jumped from the car. “Come on. Let’s see what else we can play with.” Jathan bit his bottom lip as he headed for the door. He was having the greatest time. Quince had to stay.
Quince drove home, smiling. He couldn’t force the grin away. The night had been the most fun he’d had in years. A notification popped up on the dashboard’s infotainment system. The flash caught his eyes.
“Siri, read the last text to me.”
“Carey says, do you want to play? Smiley face. Wink. Do you want to respond?”
His mood immediately crashed. “No.” The night had been so damn good. Another flash had Quince ready to leap from the vehicle and end it all.
“Siri, read the last text to me.”
“Carey says you’re not still angry, are you? You know we have a good time. Would you like to respond?”
“Yes. Go fuck yourself.”
