The weather was worsening quickly. Troy’s return to the exit of the campus was slow. The woman he had helped had given him her contact information… Olivia.

Olivia had gotten on her way cleanly. Her cautious ways ensured she didn’t spin needlessly. Caution on ice was very smart.

His efforts to help Jen and Sally had filled his imagination with crazy ideas. What would have been possible if he wasn’t trying to be such a gentleman…

The sound of the S10 frantically fighting for traction had worried Troy a little. Finding Olivia in the dark and snow filled night would not be easy. Worse, the accumulation would soon be too much for his Civic, if he stayed back too long.

The Buddy System

Aiden had been working with Troy on a few projects of late. They understood cars and had figured a way to fabricate results faster than most shops. The two rented space every now and again to use the heavier machinery. Clients were starting to flock towards them.

When Troy realized that Aiden had a thing for the stuck fantasy genre, it gave him pause. The biggest concern Troy had was being discovered. Women did not take too kindly to being set up to be in distress.

Troy had ripped Aiden a new one a few times for catching him creating trouble for women just to pretend to rescue them. It was not chivalrous and it was outright mean and abusive, in Troy’s opinion.

Needless to say, in this messy ice storm, having someone who understood the laws of physics, cars, and ice would be handy. That is if he was to successfully help Olivia out.

Driving around, looking for Olivia, Troy picked up a call via blue tooth.

“Yo buddy… listen, this storm is crazy” beamed Aiden through the car’s stereo.

“I know. I’m in it” Troy replied with an etch of concern etched on his brow.

“Please tell me you’re on campus near Jen… please!” Aiden implored eagerly.

Troy paused a moment as he focused on navigating another tough snow drift leading up to the dorm section of the campus.

“You didn’t take your truck?” Aiden asked.

“Nah… didn’t have time to swap out the bed” Troy replied between intense glances about the roadway.

“Swap?” Aiden’s voice filled with wonder and curiosity.

“Yeah… I didn’t winterize the bed of the truck for these conditions” Troy dismissed.

Gears started to fly in Aiden’s brain. He knew that Troy was serious about trimming his vehicles for the purposes they served. Aiden, on the other hand, was all about the looks of the vehicle and winning awards for looking the best.

“What dress is on your Civic today?” Aiden’s curiosity very evident.

“Full rally mode” Troy clipped as he pushed through another round of drifts.

“Your throttle management is impressive buddy” Aiden complimented.

“Can’t go full throttle at everything my friend” teased Troy.

Aiden loved overpowering every situation that confronted him. Even if it didn’t make sense to do so. The feel of a roaring motor made Aiden grin his silly foolish grin.

“Anyway… are you close to Jen?” Aiden asked.

“She’s fine” Troy replied half interested.

“What do you mean, fine” Aiden sounded serious. “As in she’s OK indoors fine?”

“She’s on her way to her dorms” Troy replied through clenched teeth. The road was getting very difficult to navigate.

“If you’re working this hard, she’s got no luck, turn around and rescue Jen” ordered Aiden.

“Get your own truck and rescue her then” flipped Troy.

“No. For real. Go get Jen. I mean it. Seriously bro” implored Aiden.

“Why?” inquired Troy with rising curiosity.

“You gotta promise not to tell anyone. Not even Sally. OK?” Aiden nearly begged.

“What’s Sally gotta do with Jen?” searched Troy.

“OK. Confession. I have a thing for Jen. But, she doesn’t know it yet and she’s close to Sally who is very good at picking up vibes” explained Aiden.

“Go on” Troy wanted to skip the details that were certainly going to come next.

“I also know that Sally would hate for me to… quote on quote… exploit a situation… end quote” Aiden tried to sound very coy and covert.

Troy didn’t comment. He knew where the conversation was headed now. There was a way guys talked about fantasy. Especially when it involved their secret crushes.

“Jen is perfect. Cute. Hot. Smart. Funny. And I’d love to exploit a situation, if you know what I mean” Aiden continued.

“I don’t. But don’t go exploiting without clear consent either” warned Troy.

“Dude, you know me!” Aiden mocked hurt.

“Yeah. You tried to exploit Sally, remember?” Troy’s tone grew darker.

“Yo! Listen. Check it. If Jen drives like Sally, I have to marry her!” Aiden continued oblivious to the warning in Troy’s tone.

“Then, you’ve got to find you a new wife, buddy” Troy lightened up a little.

“Why?!?” Aiden blurted out dumbstruck. “What do you know that I don’t?”

“Depends on what you want to know” Troy absentmindedly said.

Olivia’s truck was at the end of his headlight’s reach at a very sharp angle to the curb. Somehow, she had slipped and couldn’t get straightened. The tires were slowly spinning in their icy confines.

“Did you help Jen drive to her dorm?” pressed Aiden.

“No. Get your truck and go help Jen, if you want to marry her so badly” teased Troy as he got ready to hang up.

“Wait. Dude. Why do you sound so happy all of a sudden?” Aiden paused to sound serious.

“I’m nearly off campus” Troy diverted.

“No. I know that uptick in tone. You’re about to help a damsel in distress” Aiden piped up.

“A who?” Troy feigned ignorance.

“Oh, you… never-mind. I thought… um. You’re not into helping damsels in distress?” Aiden’s voice laden with surprise.

“What gentleman doesn’t stop to help a lady?” Troy further distancing himself from the chat.

“Enjoy. Then, please, pretty please… go help Jen” Aiden said before clicking off.