by Lee Crystal
Taryn gasped, and her hands started to shake. I took the note from her, getting ready to pull her to my lap. She thwarted my hands by standing up, then looked at everyone. Both Mr. Dalton and Ethan wore worried expressions, Jim was scowling, and Mel had tears in her eyes.
“I’m going to go to bed. Aunt Mel, Uncle Jim thanks for dinner,” Taryn said, then walked toward her room with Barlow trailing after her. I wanted to go after her, but the slight shake of Mr. Dalton’s head and his penetrating stare glued me to my seat.
After Jim and Mel lifted Maddie from Taryn’s bed and carried her out to the car to head home, Ethan and Mr. Dalton grilled me about our trip. I told them about Felicia, excluding the fact that I married her, and the reasons why. That was too personal, and having Taryn know was enough. They both were visibly upset that Taryn had been hurt, but nothing that they could have said would have made my guilt over the whole incident more than what it was.
“Now that you have had to take care of her, and saw how precarious her panic attacks can be, do you still want to stay with her?” Ethan asked seriously. I tried to put myself in Ethan’s shoes, and understand his concerns, but I was sick of everyone treating Taryn as if she were some unstable shut in who needed to be babysat. They couldn’t see past their worry to see all Taryn was capable of, and it pissed me off.
“Ethan, I have no plans on going anywhere, EVER!” I said, making eye contact and holding it. “Taryn is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I will not lose her. I suggest you don’t bring this up again.”
He grinned. “Good to know,” he said. Smarmy bastard.
We settled back into a routine the next week. I started that Monday stretching with Taryn, and as I predicted, it was nothing but pure torture. Other than a few stolen kisses and gropes, we didn’t have any opportunities to be alone. I think Mr. Dalton made it a point to be home during the day, figuring our relationship had become physical.
One morning, Taryn and I were both in the kitchen making pancakes. She nervously flitted around the kitchen, and I could tell she had something on her mind.
“Taryn?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I moved behind her. She sighed as my hands wrapped around her and rested on her belly. She turned around to face me, placing her hands on my chest.
“Can you teach me to drive?” she asked. I could see the hopeful expression she wore, and was surprised that her wanting to drive hadn’t occurred to me. “I had my learner’s permit, but it expired. I didn’t have a lot of practice with my Dad when I had it either, so I probably wouldn’t be a safe driver, but I want to learn. I’m a fast learner, and I think in your truck, I couldn’t do too much damage. I …” I stopped her nervous rambling with a kiss, before smiling at her. She was damn cute when she was nervous.
“If I teach you to drive, can we go park and make out?” I kissed her again, not giving her a chance to answer. When I pulled from her lips, she looked dazed and flushed.
“Yes,” she whispered. If that wasn’t incentive, I didn’t know what was.
After breakfast, and a few copped feels, I helped Taryn into the truck, and got in on the passenger side. We both put our seatbelts on, and Taryn started the truck. I could see her hands shake slightly but with her broad smile, I wasn’t sure if it was nerves, or excitement.
“Just put it in reverse, and turn to the left so you can straighten out for the driveway,” I instructed. She slipped the gear to reverse, but her foot slipped off the brake, and instead of pushing the brake again, she punched the gas, causing the truck to lurch back. She screeched before frantically looking at the floor.
“Brake, put your foot on the brake,” I said calmly. But I was a little worried that she didn’t think of it herself.
“I figured with your liking cars and all, you would have driven some,” I joked. She turned a scowl on me.
“I love old cars, but no, I haven’t ever driven one,” she said defiantly, gripping the wheel with white knuckles. “The only car I ever drove was a Volvo, and I only drove for three blocks before my Dad panicked and took over.”
“Well, let’s see if we can make it past three blocks, shall we?” I smirked. She huffed out a breath, and began backing up. She wasn’t steady with the gas, so all the way down the driveway she would gun it, and then use the brake to slow down. By the time we got to the mailbox, I felt like I had whiplash, and was beginning to fear for the health of my truck.
“Okay, when you pull onto the road, just ease the gas,” I said.
She looked down at her feet before she started to move forward again. I had to remind her to look out the windshield before we ran into the fence across the road. She turned a sharp left, and managed to push harder on the gas, causing my head to smack the window.
“Sorry,” she muttered as she straightened out and drove down the road. I was thinking I might need Jim to check me out by the time this lesson was over.
After one mailbox, three ran stop signs, and a near feline casualty, we made it back to the house. She was a horrible driver—worse than that, she was a menace to driving society. My fingers were permanently imprinted on the door handle, and I think I pissed a little when she swerved to miss a pile of horse shit on the road, only to run into Mrs. Tillman’s mailbox.
“Thanks, Carter, that was fun. When can we go again?” she asked, smiling. My God, I was going to have PTSD from driving with her. Go again?
“Um, maybe tomorrow?” I answered. I was such a damn sucker when she smiled. I only hoped putting my life in grave danger for her would get me points with God when I died.
“Great!” She beamed as she did a little bounce on the seat, which certainly drew my gaze to her chest. Weren’t near-death experiences supposed to ramp up the sex drive? I was definitely ramped up.
“How about that make-out session?” I growled as I pulled her over to my lap. She only giggled before putting her arms around my neck, and I got lost in her eager kisses.
We practiced driving, stretched and meditated every day after. She was a fast learner, and was soon becoming better with driving, as well as more limber. She was able to get in and out of the truck herself, and her confidence only continued to grow. We ate at the diner several times, and she managed to get a new driver’s permit so she was able to learn driving in town as well.
There hadn’t been anymore letters or sightings of the blue Tahoe, and everyone had become more relaxed. I finally took a room on the second floor, although I still slept with Taryn at night. The one night I stayed up with Ethan, she screamed from a nightmare, and from then on I didn’t bother sleeping upstairs.
We had been able to sneak away twice to be together, and each time with her only drove me more insane to be with her. It took all my willpower not to ravage her anytime someone wasn’t looking. I felt like I was a teenager, trying to sneak behind my parents to be with a girl. I guess that was exactly what we were doing, it just wasn’t my parents we were hiding from.
Next week I was going start my job for DFW, and today Taryn had an appointment for her driver’s test. It seemed so many things were changing at once, and I wasn’t ready to not have her during the day, and sadly be relied on to drive her around. I was incredibly happy for her, and hoped that Taryn passed—it just felt I was losing a part of something.
“You ready?” I asked an obviously nervous Taryn.
“I think so.”
“You’ll do great, just remember to watch the road, and if you see horse shit, run it over,” I smirked.
“Ha ha, very funny. That only happened twice. I’m much better now,” she huffed.
I chuckled. “That you are. Let’s go.”
We pulled into the DMV parking lot, and Barlow and I walked in with Taryn. After Taryn checked in for her appointment, a short balding man walked out, calling her name. He introduced himself as Steve and scowled when he saw Barlow. I instantly disliked him.
We walked outside, where he proceeded to go over my truck, checking blinkers, brake lights, and
the horn.
“Okay, looks fine. We can get in and I will direct you where to go,” he said to Taryn.
“Okay,” she said meekly. When she opened the driver’s door, Barlow hopped in, as Steve opened his door.
“The dog can’t go on the test,” he said with disgust.
I started to move forward to tell him to eat shit, and the dog was going, but Taryn pulled out Barlow’s papers and handed them to him.
“My dog will come with us. If you have a problem with dogs, you will have to get someone else to test me,” she stated matter-of-factly.
“This says he’s a service dog, what’s your disability?” he demanded.
“I’m sorry, but it isn’t your business, nor does it interfere with my driving ability,” she said sternly. I couldn’t have been more proud or turned on, and if the shit-eating grin on my face didn’t give me away, the boner I was sporting sure would.
After an indignant huff, Steve directed Taryn to buckle up, and soon she was driving. I waited in the coffee shop next to the DMV for about twenty minutes before I saw my truck pull into the parking lot. I watched through the window, marveling at how much more confident Taryn was. She was alone with a stranger in a truck. Although Barlow would seriously eat off Steve’s face if he so much as touched her, I was incredibly proud.
As Taryn got out of the truck, I walked out of the shop toward her. I could make out her beaming smile, and I knew she passed. As soon as Steve walked away, she let out a squeal and did a happy dance before grabbing me by my middle and pulling me into her while chanting, “I did it! I did it!” I could only laugh with her. To her this was monumental, and I was honored to be part of it.
Chapter 18-Taryn
It was the second day that I was a legal driver. I was watching Maddie today, as Aunt Mel had agreed to go to a golf tournament with Uncle Jim. I don’t know what he bribed her with, but she was all too willing to go.
Maddie and I were making cookies in the kitchen with Barlow sniffing around for any crumbs that might have fallen. He had become such an important part of my day. I hardly went anywhere without him, and the comfort he gave me was indescribable. I wanted to do something nice for Carter, so Maddie and I were making a basket of goodies for his first day of work. I figured I owed him something nice after the outrageously successful payback I executed on him a few days ago.
Last week, Carter begged me to get these lacy underwear and bras at Wilkins, one of two department stores in Elk Creek. “Come ooooon!” he tried to persuade me, holding up a frilly black thong about the size of a toothpick. Two older ladies nearby in the sportswear section looked up to stare at us. I was completely mortified, and felt my entire face grow red and hot. “Come on!” he said again, much to my horror. “These would look great on you!” I was so embarrassed that I had to walk out of the store.
The next morning, when I got out of the shower and began putting my underwear on, I was bewildered to find that the entire crotch was gone. I placed my legs through the leg holes, but the crotch was crudely scissored out. I was stumped. I reached for another pair only to find all my underwear had become crotchless. I was more appalled when I saw all my bras had the cups completely cut out of them. I was forced to go without underwear or a bra for the day, and Carter made it plainly obvious how much he enjoyed knowing I was underwear free.
That night I waited until after he fell asleep and crept into the bathroom. I pulled from the back of the cabinet the waxing kit Aunt Mel had given me one of the many times she bought me cosmetics and girly stuff. I had never used it—why anyone would want to torture themselves with ripping hot wax from their skin was beyond me—so the box was a little wrinkled and dusty. I hadn’t even thought about it in years, but right then, I was very happy that Aunt Mel had thought to give me the kit.
I quickly read the directions and heated the wax under hot tap water. Once that was done, I grabbed the container of wax, a wood stick that looked like a tongue depressor, and the white strips that were used to pull off the hair.
Quietly, I went to the side of the bed, and removed the blankets from Carter’s chest. I used the wooden stick and began carefully running the wax over the hair on his chest, making sure to put a strip down on the wax before it cooled. He stirred on the second pass, but didn’t wake, so I continued until I had the word PAYBACK spelled out in white strips across his chest.
He was still sound asleep, so I moved the blankets lower and started on his legs, making sure to get his lower legs first, but when I got to his thighs, he stirred again, mumbling incoherently and rubbing his face with his hand. I figured I wouldn’t press my luck, and covered him back up. After I put away all the supplies, I crawled back in bed and fell asleep.
That morning when he pulled me to him, I woke easily, and remembered what I had done. I lay there waiting for him to fully wake, trying my hardest no to laugh. His legs brushed against mine, causing one of the strips to pull.
“Ouch,” he murmured, then rubbed against my leg again.
“What the hell?” He sat up, and I took that moment to roll off the bed. He looked at me in confusion before rubbing the spot on his leg. His eyes widened as he pulled the blankets back, then he noticed his chest.
“Taryn, what the hell did you do? Is this wax?” he asked, horrified.
I giggled. “You liked me bare so much, and I thought you should be, too,” I said sweetly, as I quickly walked to the door.
“Holy shit! Taryn, come back! How the hell do I get this crap off?” he yelled as I shut the door, laughing.
“Cousin Tare, these cookies need marshmallows,” Maddie said, pulling me out of my musings.
“Marshmallows you say? Well, let’s see if we have marshmallows,” I said, making my way to the pantry.
“Sweetheart, we don’t have any marshmallows,” I said after conducting an unsuccessful search. Since becoming a new driver, I was ecstatic at any opportunity I had to drive. A trip to town for marshmallows was a great excuse to get behind the wheel. “Come on, let’s go tell the guys were going to the store,” I said to Maddie.
“Can Barlow come?” she pleaded.
“Of course Barlow will come, come on.”
Maddie, Barlow and I made our way out to the shop, where Ethan, Carter, Matt and Blaine were supposedly working on Ethan’s car. Grandpa had to leave for Portland early that morning and I had been using his car, so I’d have to weasel one of the guys into letting me use one of theirs.
When we walked in, Ethan was inside his Camaro in the driver’s seat, Blaine was in the passenger, and Carter and Matt were sitting in camping chairs in front of the car.
“Hey guys!” I yelled over the music echoing through the shop. The music quickly shut off, and Ethan got out of the car, followed by Blaine.
“How do you like the new stereo?” Ethan asked.
“Um, it’s cool?” I remarked.
“Cool? Tare, that stereo is...” he looked at my blank face. “Never mind, yeah it’s cool,” he said with a grin.
Carter had come behind me, as Maddie ran to Ethan. I could feel the warmth of his body behind me, and when his chest hit my back I shivered. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to the way my body reacted to his nearness.
“Did you need something?” he asked huskily in my ear.
“Mmhmm,” I murmured, trying not to moan when he put his arms around my waist. I heard Ethan clear his throat, and I realized they were all watching me. I blushed. Carter chuckled.
I tried to pull away, but Carter’s grip only tightened. “Um, Maddie and I are going to town. We need marshmallows, and so we’re going to drive to town… together… now,” I rambled.
Carter chuckled again. “Okay, I’ll take you guys,” he said.
“No, I want to drive, just me and Maddie. Well, and Barlow too,” I said as I reached down and rubbed Barlow’s ears.
“Are you sure? I can watch Maddie while you go,” Ethan said.
“Yes, I’m sure. Now whose car can I take?” I snapped. I knew Ethan
was worried about my driving abilities.
“Cousin Etan? Will you take me to the lake? I wanna swim,” Maddie asked Ethan.
“Maddie, I thought you wanted to go to the store?” I said, not wanting to lose my chance to drive.
“You go to the store, I wanna swim, then eat marshmallows,” she stated with a nod of her head, and arms folded across her little chest.
I smiled. “Okay, Barlow and I will go, and you go swim with Cousin Ethan.” I turned to look at Carter, “so can I use your truck?”
“Um yeah, but are you sure you don’t want someone to go with you?” he asked, looking kind of sad. But it was important for me to do things on my own. Besides, I had Barlow with me.
“I’m sure, I want to go by myself,” I replied with a smile.
“Can Barlow swim with me?” Maddie whined as she wiggled herself down from Ethan’s arms and ran over to Barlow.
“No, sweetie, he wants to get marshmallows with me,” I replied, hoping she didn’t throw a fit.
“No he doesn’t, he told me he wanted to go swimming. He said he wants to give me a ride in the water. You will hurt his feelings if you don’t let him,” she pouted.
Seriously, what could a person say to that? Her big, blue eyes were wide and pleading with her little lip poked out. It was scary how she could manipulate people and be so young. It was just a quick trip to the store, I could manage by myself. I had been to the store once with just Barlow, and I did fine. I could do this.
“Maddie, Barlow has to…” Carter started before I cut him off.
“Okay, Barlow can go swimming with you, but you have to wear a life jacket,” I told Maddie, noticing the worried look on Ethan’s face. I turned to see a stormy look on Carter’s face, and knew he was mad. I sighed.
“Well, swimming sounds good to me, we don’t have that many days left of swimming weather. Ethan, can I borrow some shorts?” Matt asked.
“Please say you have shorts, he doesn’t wear underwear,” Blaine said.
“Hey, it takes too much time…” He looked around and then at Maddie. “Uh, when I’m in a hurry,” he finished. Over the last couple of weeks I had come to find Matt as a total horn bucket. I think that was all the man thought about.
