I Drive Your Truck

Part i

Drake sat in the dusty green 4x4 pick up truck and breathed in heavily. He rubbed his calloused hands on the dark leather steering wheel. It had been over eight months that he had sat in his father's truck, his truck nowadays. The time before it was in his possession for all the years following Jackson's untimely death. He canvassed the dash, the sun had worn through and aged the once black leather. He played with the sun visor, it still was unhinged if one opened it and he smiled. He had driven around Riley's hometown for an hour now, going nowhere in particular with the windows down, circled a few donuts near the Baker's farm and startled the cows. And eventually landed back to the Brooks' family home by an old sycamore tree with a swing.

He had the truck shipped overseas from Cordonia, which was an obscene amount of money he found out, but Bastien insisted. There were a lot of memories attached to the truck and because his relationship with Liam was still strained, he didn't want to leave it over there as a burden.

Bas and Drake still kept in contact after he left Cordonia for good and started a life with Riley in New York. He was the father figure in his life after his father had passed, heck he was family. So when Drake called him to announce he had proposed to Riley, it brought tears to Bas' eyes.

"I'm proud of you, boy," Bastien replied through the phone.

"Yeah?"

"Very much. You've come a long way from the lanky, closed off ball of emotions who needed a haircut at fourteen."

"Heh, you always hated my long hair."

"Especially when you went through that bun phase, what is it called?"

"A man bun, Bas," Drake chuckled.

"Yes, I mean many warriors in China wore that style..."

"Right? Samurais, too. Don't forget."

Bas rolled his eyes yes, "Yes, but they aren't labeled as a 'man-bun' and did it for strategic purposes."

"So ANYWAY," Drake interrupted not to digress on the tangent of Bas' feelings towards the bun movement.  "There was a reason I called."

"Yes, you mentioned the truck. I can get it prepared and ready for shipment, did you look into the shipping company?"

"Yeah, yeah...Bas..."

"You have to get the insurance Drake, anything can happen while they move it. It's not in the best condition these days. Why when I helped you with the driving test, you weren't the most smooth with the clutch like you think you are, and I know you and King Liam did some...what was it called?

"Off-roading?"

"Yes, you two did some off-roading that messed with the axles..."

"Bas..."

"I can get it prepared by the end of the week, the King has some travel to Paris on Sunday, so I need..."

"Bas!"

"What?"

"I'm trying to talk here," Drake huffed.

"Nai, me káthe trópo (yes, by all means)," Bastien paused.

"I asked Riley to marry me," Drake beamed through the phone.

"Aye, I  am so happy! I could kiss you," Bastien laughed with robustness. "FINALLY."

"What? What do you mean finally? I moved here not that long ago.."

"You couldn't decide if you liked scrambled or over-easy eggs for almost a year as a teenager. Couldn't commit. So this is progress. I'm glad Riley is making a good impression. "