Grand Adventure

Chapter 8

 Eddie's fingers drummed along Dani's thigh to the beat of the music as they drove across the state line into Texas. 'When Doves Cry', by Prince, was playing and Dani was softly singing along, her legs criss-crossed in front of her on the seat, watching the landscape pass by out of the passenger window.

They had risen a bit later this morning after their exciting night. Eddie had been a bit hungover and they headed to a local diner for a big breakfast. Nothing like greasy bacon and eggs to cure all that ails you from a night of drinking. Then they had gotten on the road, headed for Amarillo.

Eddie kept glancing over at her, grinning from ear to ear, and she laughed, "Still all giddy from getting to see your idols in person last night?"

"Yeah, but that's not the only reason," he answered, his eyebrows dancing up and down. "You really made my night last night, sweetheart, in more ways than one."

"Oh my god," she snorted, picking at the frayed thread of her jean shorts to avoid looking at him. She still struggled with taking compliments from him. Dani struggled with taking compliments at all. "I am pretty sure sex with me, which you get to have frequently, does not compare to the once in a lifetime opportunity of getting to see the guys you have worshiped since you were a kid actually rock out in front of you."

"Dani, nothing compares to sex with you. It doesn't matter how many times it happens," Eddie insisted, removing his hand to pull his cigarettes from his jacket pocket. He pulled one from the pack with his lips and lit it, taking a deep drag. "I am not the best with fancy words. You know that. I can't begin to tell you what last night meant to me. You went out of your way to figure out how to get tickets because you wanted to make me happy. You spent your own money just to make me happy. And then you went with me and you had fun."

"Of course I had fun," Dani stated, snatching his cigarette and pulling on it before handing it back. She didn't smoke regularly like he did, but she enjoyed the occasional one. "I was with you. I always have fun with you. And also, maybe they're not my favorite band of all time, but I love Metallica. You know that."

"No, I know," he sighed. "See? I don't know how to explain it. You thought of me, Dani, and I know you always think of me. I just...besides Uncle Wayne, you're the only person who has ever put me first like that. You're the only person who has ever cared about me being happy, who has gone out of your way to do something to make me happy. It's just...I don't know. It's nice that I have someone who thinks I am worth all that."

Dani uncrossed her legs, dropping them to the floor and twisted in her seat a bit, looking at him. Reaching out, she laid her hand on his leg. She hated the way he saw himself, the way everyone around him had made him see himself. How could he not see how worthy he was?

"Eddie," she began, "I did all of that because you are worth it. Yes, I think so, but I think so because you are. You tell me that you wish I could see myself through your eyes. Well, then apparently we're two peas in a pod because, god, I wish you could see yourself through mine. I loved watching how happy you were. I loved watching you grin and laugh and scream and loved every single minute of that show. I even loved your adorable and ridiculously inappropriate drunk self. The whole night was amazing. It was worth it all because nothing makes me happier than seeing you happy."

"Something else we have in common," Eddie said, glancing over and smiling at her. "Nothing makes me happier than seeing you happy. And I am glad you want me to be happy because...uh...I wanted to tell you..."

He cleared his throat slightly, his hands tensing on the wheel, and Dani could sense he was slightly uncomfortable. She was just about to ask him what was going on when he pulled off the highway. Confused, she looked around them but he pulled into a gas station, shutting the van off.