Soon after, Gab suddenly turned to me, wearing a grim expression that made my heart skip a beat. The impending doom in his voice shattered my hopes like fragile glass.
"Sorry, but I can't fix your car today"
I blinked, my eyes wide in disbelief. "Wh-what? But, it's just a car!"
Gab's response, however, didn't quite match my dramatic emotions. He chuckled softly, "I need to order some stuff to replace a few parts. It'll take a bit."
My near-tears over a car's temporary malfunction struck me, and I let out a snort, quickly composing myself.
"Oh, no problem at all. As long as Pinky will be fine again."
With a grin, he asked, "Pinky?"
"Yeah, it's my car's name."
Gab nodded like he was stopping himself from smiling, "Then…. Pinky will be back on the road in no time, don't worry."
"Guess I'll have no choice but to grab a taxi and head to a motel," I muttered, resigned to my car-less fate.
But before I could even start calculating the logistics of my 'Pinky-less' life, Gab, with surprising nonchalance, dropped a bombshell.
"My place is pretty close by."
I blinked twice, "Your place?" I echoed, hoping I'd misheard him.
"Yeah, it's not far. I could take you there," he offered with a friendly smile.
Is he flirting with me? Okay, I know I flirted first.
"Whoa, hold up," I blurted out, "I mean, I don't just go home with strangers on the first meet-up… maybe on the second."
Ironic, I know. But in my defense, for those people I have a one-night stand with (which is only 2 people in my case), I don't go home with them; I go to a hotel with them.
Gab quickly raised his hands defensively, almost as if anticipating my response.
"No, no, I'm not creepy or anything. I just have a spare room in my house and I barely stay there so, yeah"
"I appreciate it, but a stranger's house isn't exactly on my to-do list today," I declined with a nervous chuckle.
Then I reached for my wallet, ready to settle the tab, but before I could hand over the cash, Gab shook his head, refusing the payment.
"You can pay me tomorrow."
"Why? Why not now?"
"It's just my rule. I don't accept payment until they get back their car until it's fixed."
I hesitated but nodded in the end.
"Alright, then," I replied, tucking the cash back into my wallet.
Looking around, trying to appear nonchalant despite my unfamiliarity with the place, I gathered my courage and turned to Luke who was watching us while leaning against one of the cars around.
"Um, sorry to ask, but could you point me in the direction of Loras Motel?"
The boy nodded and quickly explained the route, pointing out the turns and landmarks I needed to watch for.
I couldn't help but ask once more, "There is a taxi passing by around here, right? Please tell me there is one."
Luke and Gab exchanged glances before the teenager shook his head.
"No taxis around? Like, for real?" I repeated, this time louder and more shocked.
"It's just us," Gab replied, wearing a bemused expression as if finding the situation rather amusing.
"Great," I murmured to myself, rolling my eyes internally. "Anyways, thank you so much for the help. And I'll get Pinky tomorrow."
"Are you sure you'll be fine?" Gab asked, wiping his hands.
I forced my gaze away from his hands and shifted my focus to his face "Yeah, I can handle myself. Thanks again."
Then, without missing a beat, I began my walk in the direction the teenager pointed. I marched ahead, heels click-clacking on the sidewalk, feeling slightly out of place in my attire, complete with the hat, skirt, and that ever-so-fashionable Birkin bag.
As I strutted along the sidewalk, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Gab and the teenager might be snickering behind me.
With my frustration mounting, I trudged forward, feeling the bites of mosquitoes amplifying under the setting sun. The hat was long gone by now, my feet staging a full-on revolt in my heels, and the lack of a visible motel was driving me nuts.
"Keep going, Scarr. You're doing great," I chanted to myself, even though I was close to crying.
But luck seemed to evade me today as a treacherous rock appeared out of nowhere, proving that the universe had some serious beef with me today.
"Ahh!"
I stumbled, arms flailing wildly in a futile attempt to regain balance, but before I could face-plant onto the ground, a strong pair of arms wrapped around me, halting my fall. I gasped at the sudden save, recognizing the comforting scent that enveloped me. Those arms felt very familiar, the muscles taut, holding me protectively.
As I gathered my bearings and looked up, there was Gab, his expression holding concern.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine"
His eyes immediately drifted downward to my feet, focusing on the minor cut. Shit, I didn't notice that.
"It's just a scratch," I dismissed, nonchalantly waving off the cut while mentally cursing my clumsiness. I stepped back, asserting my independence, and stood firmly on my own feet, despite the throbbing protest of my muscles.
"What are you doing here?"
He shrugged casually. "I'm heading somewhere, and the motel's on my way, so I thought I'd offer you a ride," he explained, his tone relaxed as if such random rescues were a regular occurrence in his daily life.
With a glimmer of hope kindling in my eyes, I scanned the surroundings, hopeful for a miraculous sight—a car, perhaps. But my expectations were shattered when I laid eyes on his mode of transportation—his motorbike.
A big, black motorbike.
The motorbike did look sleek and stylish, a true fashion statement, but my heart skipped a beat at the mere thought of riding it. I never ride something like that.
"Nah, I'm good. I think I'll pass."
Gab arched an eyebrow, a teasing smirk forming on his lips. "Scared?"
I squared my shoulders, refusing to let him see any sign of hesitation.
"Of course not. It's just so tall…. big…. " I replied with false bravado, prideful and stubborn as ever. But after a brief internal struggle, I relented, giving in because it's not like my feet can handle a longer walk. "Fine, I'll ride with you."
He then began removing his leather jacket, extending it to me. "Here, tie it on your waist"
I looked at it, like really looked at it, and noticed it was a Saint Laurent Classic Leather Biker Jacket. While looking at the jacket, confused, until it hit me. My skirt. Right. I nodded in understanding and gratefully accepted his jacket, wrapping it around my waist.
The next thing I knew, he was holding out a helmet for me, and the realization dawned that I had no choice but to put it on. I accepted it, of course. But there's only one problem, I can't lock it.
He was starting his car when I tapped him on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry but I need some help…. " I softly said.
Don't blame me. I am shy because it is just a damn helmet and I can even lock it! It's my lame attempt to justify my embarrassment over something as trivial as headgear.
He turned to face me, the corners of his lips twitching in amusement. Without hesitation, he took a step forward, plucking the helmet from my hands and, to my surprise, seriously locking it.
The fact that he was so tall compared to me meant I barely reached his chest. Stubbornly, I refused to look up, choosing to focus my gaze on his broad chest. Though I pretended nonchalant, I could feel the weight of his intense gaze on me which made my body feel hot. And his scent—something earthy and alluring—wafted around, making my senses tingle. It was hard to ignore his scent and I am a girl who loves perfume or scents.
"There," he said, taking a step back.
I cleared my throat, "Thanks"