Road Trip with a Nerd - Stephanie Street Page 0,40
into keeping it rather than looking for something newer. I’d really fallen in love with this truck. Almost as much as I’d fallen in love with Grant while riding in it.
“You know I don’t like secrets.”
Tugging my hand, he pulled me into the middle seat close to his side before shifting into reverse and backing out of my parent’s driveway.
“I think you secretly love secrets,” he teased as he pulled away from my house.
Maybe I did.
We made small talk as he drove. It didn’t take long to realize we were heading to the farm, but instead of driving up to the house, Grant took a road leading out into the fields. He’d been working for his dad—in addition to spending time with me and doing school work—but not as much as he used to. Somehow, they’d been able to hire someone to help, freeing up some of Grant’s time.
His relationship with his parents had been on steadier ground since he’d decided to continue his education at Purdue. They supported his passion for designing video games but wanted him to get his degree.
“What are we doing out here?” The evening was already growing dark. The air held a crisp bite that had me pulling my sweatshirt tight around my body.
“You’ll see,” he said as he steered the truck to the far side of a yellow field of dried out corn stalks almost ready for harvest. A stand of trees lined the field on one side with a small dirt road running between. Finally, Grant pulled the truck to a stop and cut the ignition.
“Here?” I asked, my brows raised.
“Come on.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me through his open door. “Hop in,” he demanded playfully, gesturing to the bed of the truck.
“What in the world is this?” I cried. And how had I missed it? I must have been really distracted. Glancing at Grant’s handsome face, I knew that had been the case.
“It’s a picnic. Now, get in.”
The bed of Grant’s truck had been transformed with the same gear we’d used the night we camped in it, complete with the foam mat, sleeping bags, and pillows. The only difference was this time, a picnic basket sat among the blankets.
I stepped up on the tire and felt Grant’s hands settle on my hips, stabilizing me. He followed close behind once I’d climbed into the bed, nimbly jumping over the side. How had I ever thought he was a nerd? There was nothing nerdy about Grant.
Intelligent.
Witty.
Gorgeous.
Those words were more accurate descriptors.
And I loved him. I loved everything about him. Even his flaws.
We sat criss-cross-applesauce, our knees touching, and Grant reached for my hands.
“Mal, I have something to tell you.”
He looked serious, more so than usual. A rush of anxious adrenaline pumped through my body.
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
Grant smiled a nervous smile that did nothing to set my mind at ease. What was going on?
“I didn’t think this would be so hard,” he murmured almost to himself. My emotions soared from anxious straight to fear.
“Grant, you’re scaring me.”
He glanced up, alarmed. “Scared? What do you mean?”
Every insecurity I’d ever had came roaring to the forefront of my mind. Sometimes, what I felt growing with Grant seemed too good to be true. Maybe he was too intelligent, too witty, too gorgeous for me.
“Mal,” he let go of my hands to reach for my face. His eyes searched mine, and in them, I saw every emotion I knew reflected in mine. “I love you, Mallory Knight. You have nothing to fear as far as I’m concerned. As far as we’re concerned. You, beautiful girl, are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Relief flooded the fear and anxiety away. I threw my arms around his neck. “I love you, too, Grant. So much!”
My lips found his. We shared a sweet kiss, full of promise and beautiful things to come for us.
“Mal,” he said as our lips parted, his palm cupping my cheek. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
I shook my head, knowing full well for someone so smart, he had it all wrong. Before I could protest, he kissed me again, a sweet and passionate distraction from everything around us.
“Are you hungry?” he asked a while later. We’d snuggled into the sleeping bags. The sun had long since set, and Grant turned on a camping lantern so we could see what he’d brought in the basket.
“What did you bring?”
He grinned before flipping open the basket to show me.
“Oh, wow,” I giggled