Payce's Passions by Piper Kay

Aaron. I grab for it and answer.
    “Yeah?” I yawn, stretching my arm out.
    “Payce? It’s Brax, hope I didn’t wake you.”
    “No, not at all. Wait, what’s wrong? You okay?” I blurt out without even thinking, worried.
    “Um…does the idea of torching my car in my own parking lot mean I’m okay? Because if it does then I’m fucking wonderful right?”
    I start laughing, I know that feeling all too well. “Wouldn’t start?”
    “Not even a piss poor click like she was even trying. It’s probably the starter. Been fucking with it for an hour and nothing.” I can hear metal tools clanking around.
    “Need that ride now?” I laugh again, but don’t mean too. I know how bad it sucks to be stuck.
    “Only if it’s not too much of a problem. If you were in bed or anything, don’t worry about it. I can call a cab if I need to.”
    “No trouble at all, give me twenty minutes.”
    “I appreciate it, Payce. See you in a few.”
    “Yep.” I hang up and spring out of the bed like a professional gymnast. I think Sparky’s moves are growing on me.
    I’m dressed and out the door in under two minutes flat. I snatch the other helmet to bring with me and fire up the bike, pulling out.
    Zooming across town, I get there quick. As I pull in the parking lot, I kill the motor and coast. Brax is the only one there, just like the first night I saw him. The hood is up on his car. His shirt is untucked and sleeves are rolled up, he’s bent over the side of the car digging around in the motor. He looks perfect from this angle.
    As I coast in closer, I smile because I can already see what’s about to happen. He taps his wrench on the battery post and is so distracted, he doesn’t even know I’m behind him yet. Here it comes.
    Brax jerks back from under the hood and arches back, swinging his arm over his shoulder. With all his might, he brings it forward, throwing the socket wrench at the car as hard as he can.
    “Stupid piece of shit.” He paces side to side and lets out some more choice words for the car and I’m about to burst. He’s huffing and puffing, damn near out of breath.
    Calm down big bad wolf. I grin and finally decide to say something. “Get it, Brax.” He turns around and looks at me and I almost fall off the bike laughing. “Kick her ass.”
    “I hate this hunk of junk car, I swear. If it’s not one thing it’s another and I’m done messing with it. This is just one too many times.” He grabs a rag out of the trunk and wipes off his hands. “Let me get my keys and phone, everything else can stay here and go up in flames with her, I don’t care anymore.” He slams the hood down.
    If it wasn’t so funny watching him, I’d feel sorry for him. There’s nothing worse than getting stranded, it sucks balls.
    He shoves his phone in one pocket, the keys in another and slams the car door, giving a kick to the tire and a final, “Bitch.”
    “All done now?” I cover my mouth trying not to laugh too hard. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
    He climbs on behind me and puts the helmet on. I start my bike, and he grabs my waist with one hand. “Try not to kill us, Payce.”
    “Ready?” I ignore his comment about killing us.
    “Yes. I live off 1960 now. Still remember how to get to that road?” He puts his other hand on my waist.
    “Smartass, I think I can remember.” We pull out of the parking lot and head for the freeway.
    Before we even get to the first light, he slides up close, the slant in the bike forcing him behind me. His crotch presses into my ass and both arms wrap around my waist. His body warms against me. I like the feel of him holding on tight. Probably a little too much for my own good though.
    I get to the red light and stop. “You okay back there, Brax?”
    “I think so, it’s been a while is all. Don’t try to scare the shit of me by racing around everything when we get on the freeway.” He adjusts himself on the seat, pulling back a little. 
    “I got this, just hang