Fall from Love

entire summer of practice I had kind of, sort of, gotten the hang of it.
    Carter pulls out and makes a u-turn in front of me. I curse under my breath and apply pressure to the clutch, shifting into first gear. The car bucks and it pushes my heart into my throat. “Please, please, just be nice to me. My day has been really, really shitty and I just need to get to the auto shop. Please.” Yes, I’m talking out loud to the car.
    I take in a deep breath and try it again, easing off the clutch a little easier this time. The car jerks again, but after the abrupt bucking, the car begins to glide over the pavement. “Thank you.” I breathe and turn the steering wheel, pulling up behind Carter.
     
    CARTER
    It’s hard not to laugh as I glance in the rearview mirror and see my car bucking out of control. It probably would’ve been a good idea to make sure Holly could drive a stick before I just took off in her car, but it looks like she’s finally getting it. Taking turns with each hand, I hold them up to the vent that’s blasting out warm air. My fingers are frozen, they feel like they’re about to break off.
    When I pull into the auto shop, I drive Holly’s car up to the closed garage doors. Holly pulls in a couple seconds later and parks in a parking spot near the door.
    “Hey, Carter, what’s up man?” Patrick calls out to me when I enter the small shop.
    “Hey, how’s it going?” I’ve known Patrick since kindergarten. He grew up down the street from me and Josh.
    “Oh, you know… work, life and work.” He laughs and then his eyes shift to the front door. I look back and see Holly making her way over to us.
    “What can I do you for you, man?” he asks, but he doesn’t take his eyes off her.
    To stop looking at her like that. “I’ve got a flat tire. There’s a donut on it right now, but I need a new tire put on.”
    “On the FJ?” he asks me, but he still doesn’t meet my gaze. Blood is pounding in my ears and I want to knock him upside the head for the way he’s looking at her, but I don’t. He’s never been too popular with the ladies and, by the way he is gawking at her, I can see why.
    Holly’s beside me now and, as much as I want to grab her hand and hold it, I don’t. Patrick’s eyes are still devouring her, however, I don’t want to come off as a crazy, psycho boyfriend or anything because we’re not like that, we’re just friends. There’s still the need inside me to protect her and, with each second that passes, my control is diminishing more and more. It’s not until she says something that I start to cool off.
    “Hi.” She smiles up at Patrick.
    Great, a girl smiling at him is like an open invitation. He’s going to think she’s in love with him now. “I’m Patrick.” He winks at her and I start to regret my decision in coming here. What the hell was I thinking?
    “The flat tire is on her car, actually,” I say a little louder than I should, hoping to bring his attention back to me.
    “What kind of tire do you need?” he asks her, still smiling.
    She looks unsure and glances over to me.
    “She has a Honda Civic.” My voice is flat.
    “Humph, let me see what I’ve got in stock right now.” He backs up, goes behind the counter, and finally his eyes are drawn to the computer. Then it dawns on me that I’ve been looking at her the same way, especially that night after the Halloween party and when she fell asleep on my chest watching a movie. Feeling like an ass, I realize that I’m not much better than Patrick.
    Reaching my eyes over, I see her arms are crossed over her chest and that her tiny body is trembling. “Hey, are you cold?” I ask. Stupid question, moron. Of course she’s cold, she’s shivering.
    “A little, but I’ll be alright,” she turns to answer me.
    I’m about to go get my jacket from my car, but Patrick comes back and I don’t feel like leaving her alone with him.
    “Okay, so I’ve gotta order the tire from our Denver location. I’ll probably have it here later today and can have your car ready by tomorrow morning,” he explains and we both look over to her, waiting for her response.
    Holly’s face looks nervous.
    “Will that work?” Patrick asks.
    “Um, sure. I mean, I guess so,” she answers.
    “Hey, don’t worry. I can bring you wherever you need to go,” I tell her.
    “You have to get back to school, Carter.” She tilts her head towards me. I can’t lie that it’s so darn cute that she cares about me missing