Car Shopping

When Eden and her brother come up from downstairs, they’re beaming.

Seeing her that happy gives me a rush of… I don’t know. Satisfaction, maybe?

Whatever it is, I’m no longer mad that she told her brother about our arrangement. I’m sure he’ll keep his mouth shut, if for nothing else but for her sake. They seem really close, which I like.

I’m close with my only sibling, Chloe, as well. It’s cool to know Eden and I are alike in that respect too.

“So what’s everyone so pumped up about?” I ask the grinning duo.

“We’re going car shopping,” Paul says.

“Finally,” I can’t help but blurt out.

“Hey!” Eden smacks my arm. “Stop hating on the green machine. You and Paul are too much. That car has been in our family for many years.”

Paul leans in and whispers, “The rust bucket means a lot to her, dude. It was our dad’s car.”

“Ah, I see.” I turn to Eden. “Hey, if it holds sentimental value for you, you can always keep it here. Maybe store it in one of the garages? After all, we have five.”

“Hmm, true,” she says.

Eden’s into it, I can tell, but her brother really loves the idea. Seems the Saturn means something to him too, despite his bluster.

“That’d be awesome,” he exclaims. “You could hold on to it and give it to me when I get my license next year.”

Frowning, Eden says, “Wait, I thought you hated that car.”

Paul shrugs. “Eh, it’s okay. Besides, shouldn’t everyone’s first car be a beater? It builds character, right?”

“Pfft.” She pushes him away. “You have enough character for the both of us, bud. But sure, I’ll hold on to it for you.”

“Thanks, sis.”

“Not a problem. But”—she checks her phone—“it’s getting late. We better get going before the dealerships close for the evening. I mean, if we really are doing this.”

“Oh, we are,” Paul says.

I tell them to have fun, and Eden starts for the door. But Paul is lingering.

“What’s up?” I ask him.

“I was just thinking maybe you should come with us,” he says softly.

“Um…”

I’m reluctant, not because I don’t want to go. I just don’t want to intrude on their brother-sister time.

“That’s really up to your sister,” I say at last.

Eden steps back to us and, clearly having heard our exchange, says, “Sure, you can come along, Graham. I mean, if you want to, that is.”

“Of course I want to,” I tell her, our eyes meeting.

I really would like to go. I haven’t spent any time with her in two weeks, and frankly, I’ve missed the woman.

No, that can’t be right. I barely even know her. But there’s definitely a part of me that really enjoys her company.

I tell myself I’m only going because it’ll look fantastic if we’re photographed out car-shopping together. Think of the optics on that one. Jock and the team will be so pleased.

That’s what I keep telling myself to explain my motivation for tagging along.

But it’s no use.

Fuck the optics.

I just want to spend time with Eden.

So, opening the front door and sweeping my hand out in front of me, I gesture for her and her brother to go ahead of me, stating, “Let’s do this.”

Over the next few hours, we hit up several car dealerships, starting with the places that sell practical brands like Hondas and Toyotas. That’s what Eden says she wants.

But after a few boring test drives, where Paul and I groan the whole time that the cars she keeps picking are nothing but grocery-getters, she finally considers upping her game.

Seeing a window of opportunity, Paul and I jump right on it.

“You can’t be a famous football player’s girlfriend”—her brother thumbs to me as we’re walking back to the Saturn after our fourth dull test drive—“and be seen driving around in some cheap-ass car that’s no better than the one you already own, Eden.”

I think I like this kid.

“Hey,” Eden exclaims.

“Hey is right,” I chime in. “I’m not all that famous.”

“Yet,” Eden says, smiling over at me.

What a doll.

“Come on,” Paul whines. “You have the money. And you’ll get another payment from the team real soon. Graham can loan you the difference and you can pay him back.”

“I’m fine with that,” I interject.

“See,” Paul says. “Let’s go check out some cool cars, like an Audi.”

Eden appears torn. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“Why the hell not?” Paul asks.

Running her hands through her shiny auburn hair, she sighs. We’ve just reached the Saturn and everyone’s stopped by the doors.

“It’s just, now the press releases are out and everyone knows I’m a waitress. Won’t people wonder how I could possibly afford an expensive car like an Audi?”

Deciding to stay out of it, I take a step back so she and Paul can hash this out.

Throwing up his hands, her brother says, “But you can afford an Audi.”

“The public doesn’t know that, Paul. And they can’t find out.”

“Just act like Graham paid for it.” He waves a hand my way. “He’s supposed to be your boyfriend, right?”

Now Eden looks really uneasy, and I sense we’re getting to the true reason for her hesitation.

Sure enough, she snaps, “Maybe I just don’t want to look like I’m a kept woman.”

And there it is.

I start to interject, but Paul beats me to it.

“Uh, I think that ship has already sailed, sis. You’re living with Graham in that big fancy house, remember? No way is anyone thinking you paid for it.”

Eden shoots her brother the bird.

Shit, this really must bother her.

Stepping forward and touching her arm lightly, I say, “To hell with everyone, Eden. We all know the truth, and that’s what matters. But still, I think you should go with whatever car you feel most comfortable with.”

She smiles at me. “Thanks, Graham. You guys are right, though. To hell with everyone else; let’s go check out the Audis.”

Paul pumps his fist and shouts an exuberant, “Yes!”

And two hours later, we’re driving off the Audi lot in a shiny new apple-red A6.