Free Carry Me Home by Lia Riley

with you.
    One more try and the engine bangs, a less-than-optimal smoke cloud mushrooming from under the hood. Apparently, Batman has a “do not resuscitate” directive. He’s lived a long, full life, but to die now? I’m tempted to stick him in neutral and push him down the street for a sea burial.
    “That didn’t sound good,” he says.
    No shit, Sherlock. I bang my head against the headrest, and once more for good measure.
    “Want me to take a look?”
    I roll my head in his direction. “You know much about cars?”
    “No.” He gives a one-shouldered shrug. “Not sure why I asked. Guess it made me sound manly.”
    I punch the wheel. It feels good, so I do it again. Harder. Faster. I drill into the thing like I’m a mixed-martial-arts fighter on a ’roid-rage bender. I can’t stop even though I’m officially losing my shit. When Tanner puts his hand on my knee, I jump.
    “I’ve lost it,” I mumble. “I’ve officially fucking lost it.” No point trying to be anything but brutally honest.
    “It’s okay.”
    “I know,” I snap. I’m not an apologizer. What’s done is done. I can’t change things. “Why are you still here?” I’m spoiling for a fight. A big, knockdown, dukes-up rager, and right now Tanner makes a worthy adversary.
    “You need help.”
    “And that’s your role right? The big helper? Look how well that turned out for Pippa.”
    The silence shocks even me.
    Too far. Way too far.
    “Yeah, you’re right.” He’s quiet, mumbles so I can hardly hear him, and my anger evaporates.
    “No.” I turn and grab his hand before he can pull it away. “I’m not right. I’m an asshole. That was the meanest thing I’ve ever said, and I’m sorry. I don’t know why, but something about you brings out the worst in me. You push all my buttons and…” I break off, because tonight he literally pushed my button. While now I’m at my worst, for those few seconds, with him, I was at my best.
    “Ever wish we could meet again for the first time?” he whispers.
    That’s when I notice how he touches me. Not with any intent. He’s not sliding up my inner thigh or giving me an insinuating squeeze. He’s just letting me know he’s here.
    “I don’t want to fight you, Tanner.”
    “So don’t.”
    “I need to get out of town. Not just because of you. Fine, maybe you helped spark the sense of urgency. But I…My mom…”
    “Delilah?”
    “She called while you were in the bathroom. She invited me to meet my brothers. The boys, Tanner.”
    He plants his other hand against the truck and leans in. “You have to go.”
    “I know, but Batman’s toast. I don’t have cash for a new car. Everything extra went to pay for stupid Comic-Con. Mimsy’s gone for the week with her Toyota.” I’m trapped. “Maybe I could call Beth, but she lives in San Jose and…”
    He tilts his head. “I’ve got a car, remember? Let me drive.”
    I blink. “But you have stuff to do.”
    “Not really.”
    “What about skating?”
    “What about it?”
    “Aren’t you on tour?” He’s always on tour or going on tour.
    “No.” Something’s final to his tone. There’s hurt there, a pain he doesn’t want me to poke.
    How am I even considering this? I can’t bring Tanner Green to Nevada.
    “My mom’s mixed up in heavy-duty stuff with people who aren’t really the sort to welcome strangers.”
    “I know.”
    Of course he does, because Pippa would have told him. She, Talia, and Beth didn’t know everything about Hoss, but they were at least peripherally aware of my mom’s new lifestyle.
    “Can I drive you as far as Vegas? You can drop me with a buddy there and pick me up after.”
    “For real?” I mean, that could almost work in theory.
    “Yeah.” He frowns, his features tight. “I need to talk to my friend Ford.”
    “Ford Koster?” Another skater god.
    “Yeah.”
    I don’t need a degree in rocket science to tell there’s unfinished business there. “Doesn’t sound like you want