Free Never Say Goodbye by Bethan Cooper

it’s absolutely outstanding compared to my little Mustang. Its interior is leather and matches the color of the outside. I put on my seatbelt and I sit with my hands in my lap, ready to test the intensity of this very expensive car.
       “Did you pay for this car?” I ask Luke as he buckles his seatbelt.
       “Yes.” He replies.
How the hell?
       “How?” I ask, curious.
       “It was half given to me; I personally paid $45,000 for the car. My dad paid the other $45,000.”
       He puts the key in the ignition and the car roars to life. It sounds so sexy and seductive. I have to remind myself that it’s just a car. I pinch myself in case I’m dreaming and Luke doesn’t have this kind of money, or car, or looks! He is too good to be true. I look into the side mirror and see a figure move fast out of view but I ignore it.
       “Ready?” He asks with a huge grin on his face.
       “As I’ll ever be.” I say, smiling - repeating my words from earlier. He reverses the car swiftly out of the parking spot, puts it into gear, and drives along the road away from uptown Charlotte. We casually sit in silence and I watch out the window at my lovely city. We are driving away from home and I become curious. I wait for about 10 minutes but then I notice a sign saying left for I-85. I look to my right to see what street we are on and it’s West Sugar Creek Road. I know now we are definitely heading for the interstate.
       “Luke?” I ask, a question upon my lips.
       “Yes, baby?”
Whoa, baby? I instantly smile.
       “Where are we going?” I ask.
       “Greensboro.” He replies. A shy smile appears on his face and he puts his foot down as we make our entrance onto I-85.

Chapter Six
     
     
    
  
    We pull off I-85 and I admire the view of Greensboro, NC. I have never visited even though I have always lived so close. I pull out my cell from my jean pocket and see it’s 8:15pm. It took us just over an hour to get here. I also have 3 missed calls from my mom. I decide to text her.   

    *Hi Mom, sorry I didn’t answer. I’m fine, I promise. Don’t wait up. *
    I smile as I hit send. Luke moves his hand over and squeezes my knee. It’s welcoming and it causes a new, passionate feeling to uncurl in my stomach.  I watch him drive, his hands look so masculine as he turns the steering wheel. Veins run through his arms and his hands , what is it about hands? He has a Cartier watch on. Cartier! His strong shoulders move and each individual muscle increases as it moves. He is so well-looked-after. I watch as he shakes his head to one side to move the hair from his face, as he indicates the car, as he changes gear. Everything is turning me on! What is wrong with me? I shake off the electricity and go back to city gazing. As I’m lost in a daydream, I notice that we are parking. I look dead ahead and see NEWBRIDGE BANK PARK on the side of what looks like a stadium. Too late for a game, isn’t it?   
     As Luke parks, I watch his hands maneuver the car and I think I’m drooling. He looks at me puzzled, and then smiles. He turns off the ignition after he parks it beautifully, and leaves his hands opposite each other on the wheel. His head is bowed, his eyes shut.  
         “Ella.” He breathes. “I have never brought a girl here. It’s a baseball park if you were wondering.” He looks up and at me with the smile that always takes my breath away. “My family invested here so I can come and go as I please. I wanted to bring you here, maybe have a walk? Maybe a little game of baseball?” He laughs and I join him. Reaching under his seat, he hands me a black box with a grey bow attached to the top.
     “Leave this in the car. Don’t open it until you get home.” He whispers. Why do I have a present? I shake it and it makes a satisfying rattling noise. He leans over to tilt and turn my head away