Less Talk - A Hangman Story

Part V

Jake is watching you shift your weight back and forth in your heels with a mixture apprehension and exhilaration. You've got your arms crossed over your chest as though you're severely irritated, but you haven't left yet. Which is a good sign. He's barely looking at your legs; smooth and shiny and perfectly illuminated by the string lights adorning the patio of the Hard Deck.

He's still wrapping his head around the fact that you are, as of five or so minutes ago, unattached. You're single. Jake could kiss you right now. You'd probably punch him but he almost thinks it might be worth it.

He shuts his eyes briefly, trying to clear his mind of your pouting lips, and your pretty hair, and your goddamn legs. "So," he says finally. "You want a ride?"

You look up at him sharply. "From you?" you ask in mild disgust.

Jake takes comfort in the fact that your aversion seems relatively minimal considering he just sucker punched your boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend. He gives you a flat look. "No, from the Tooth Fairy," he retorts sarcastically. "Yes, from me."

Your mouth parts as though you're about to say something but, instead, you graze your teeth over your bottom lip. Jake, in turn, sort of forgets how to exhale for a moment. "Okay," you say quietly. "Thanks."

It takes him a moment before he realizes that you've somehow, miraculously agreed to his offer but, when he does, he springs into action. "Let's go," he says, hoping the casual words are enough to offset the tension in his tone. He extends an arm to point you in the direction of his truck.

You make your way to the passenger door and he follows you, pulling on the handle and holding his hand out to help you climb inside.

"It's a bit of a step," he says as you lift your foot into the cab.

You give him a cryptic look before placing your hand in his, a faint smile materializing on your face in response to the gesture. Jake cautiously returns your smile, not quite ready to let his guard down.

You lean your weight into him as you lift yourself off the ground and Jake manages to keep you steady despite his attention being almost entirely usurped by your ass which hovers invitingly in front of his face before you land gently on the seat.

"Thanks," you say.

Jake breathes out wearily, resting one arm over the open door and the other on top of the roof as he peers into the vehicle. "You okay?" he asks.

You eye him suspiciously. "Yeah, why?"

Jake squints slightly, running his tongue across his teeth in thought. "You haven't insulted my ride yet," he says. "You know this thing is a gas guzzler, right?" He pats the roof of the truck.

You smile at him. "Well, give me a minute," you respond, getting comfortable in the seat. "Let me get situated."

Jake chuckles, pulling on the seatbelt behind your head and placing it in your hand. "Take all the time you need," he says, briefly meeting your gaze.

You glance around the cab which, to Jake's relief, he just recently cleaned. "I mean, if you want my opinion" – you say, but Jake cuts you off with a laugh.

"I think you and I both know," he says, sliding your seat back to give you more leg room, "that I can't get enough of your opinions."

Your smile widens as you glance at him in amusement. "The clearance of your pickup makes it especially dangerous for other vehicles on the road."

Jake raises his eyebrows. "It makes it especially safe for its passengers in a collision," he says.

"For you," you reply pointedly. "Your bed sits so high off the ground, it can go right through somebody's windshield."