“Yeah. Bruised ego. Otherwise, great” Troy shook his head and helped Sally stand up as Aiden rolled his window to shout his inquiry about their well-being.
Sally held on to Troy. The lingering closeness felt great. Jen patted Sally on the back as she made her way over to the Impala as Aiden frantically waved for her to join him in the truck.
“This… feels…” hinted Sally.
“You may be looking for the word…” winked Troy as he squeezed Sally gently.
Sally leaned her head forward and gently nudged Troy with her elbow. This flirting was feeling amazing. Things felt right. His protective hold felt like old times, even though this was the first time.
“My ribs don’t need to inform me you want me to let go” Troy broke the perfect silence.
Sally snapped her head up to study Troy’s eyes. They were warm, happy, confident, and protective. His embrace had not loosened. He had understood her body language well.
“Want me to drive?” Sally ventured.
Watching his lips struggle to stay fixed, Sally understood immediately that Troy was struggling with himself. This was her opportunity to do something special for him. Now that she was feeling safe in his arms, she was ready to explore the demons she saw in Troy.
“I got this. Stay with Jen and Aiden” Troy informed as his demeanor changed to the chivalrous knight she was familiar with from the days she called him a “boy”.
“Allow me, it’s my pleasure. Join me though?” Sally offered.
“I could kiss you right now if I wasn’t worried about appearing egotistically presumptuous” Troy slipped and instantly grew rigid and released Sally.
Sally giggled. Troy had it in for her just like she had it in for him. He was cute and handsome when he was hard on himself. Several things started to click in her mind.
Cocking her head to one side and sticking her tongue against her cheek, Sally taunted “uh-huh!”.
“You lucky it’s cold out” Troy warned and skipped carefully to the Impala.
Jen reached over and touched Aiden who seemed glued to his seat in a bit of strained nervousness.
“You OK?” Jen asked filled with caring worry.
“Jen. I have to confess, before we go any further. I…” Aiden paused and blushed.
“You what…” encouraged Jen.
“I have a unique set of kinks and I wanted to share a few of them with you today” Aiden spilled out while staring at his steering wheel.
“Oh?” Jen recoiled a little.
“I wanted you to drive the Impala because I think you look hot controlling so much power” Aiden admitted. “Plus, I love the idea of being your knight in shining armor”.
“Oh… that… yeah… I thought you were going to say something crazy…” laughed Jen.
“I’m serious though” Aiden implored.
“I know. That’s cool. I’m not Sally, but I can learn” teased Jen.
Aiden blushed, balked, and coughed.
At that point, Sally had made her way to the truck. After waiting a while, she opened the door and climbed in.
“It’s way too cold to wait for you two love birds to iron out your relationship, please crank up the heat. The Impala is too cold still” Sally said through chattering teeth.
“Whatever are you talking about” blushed Jen.
Troy, satisfied that Sally was safe, slipped into gear. He was sure the trio had plenty to talk about and hoped his secret would not surface accidentally in their discussion.
Melting ice creates smoke.
Troy skillfully maneuvered the few short turns to Aiden’s uncle’s house. Aiden knew Troy was good at racing, but this set of icy snow skills was novel to him. Keeping up with Troy in a 4×4 truck should have been easy, the skill differences made Aiden work.
Jen watched in awe as Troy threw the Impala sideways before attacking an intersection. Momentum was kept. Snow was jettisoned mightily from the rear tires. Aiden kept up pretty good but the zig-zag Troy did confused Aiden enough that he would have to jam the brakes to make the turns.
“Don’t you know the way to your uncle’s” Sally teased and jabbed at Aiden.
“Hey hey hey!” Aiden defended. “It’s not my fault your boy drives like a furious mad man drifting a tank”.
“I like that. Drifting a tank” Jen repeated.
“I can drift too” Aiden piped up.
Shallows of the Deep 