Afterglow ❃ l.m.j

• chapter thirty eight •

warning: smut... again.

♡

Our souls, bodies, and hearts were inseparable after that night at Normani's house. One day over the phone she said, "Is it bad if I just want to be around you? I don't care what we do." ...And it's how we ended up on a late night drive. The cool expanse of the road sat underneath our fingertips as I played with the hem of her jacket, my head laying on the window and my legs in her lap. She stroked my thighs soothingly.

Her hair was thrown up in a bun and her face void of any makeup as usual. She wasn't really doing much of a speed which made for a ride that was sleepily soft. Our conversation was light as I munched on a couple of hi-chews that we grabbed from my pantry before we left. Her laughter filled the car as I made her guess which ones I gave her without looking at the wrapper.

"This is pear."

"Pear? No, it's fucking apple, do you know your fruits?"

She opened her mouth incredulously. "I swear this tastes like pear."

"Since when do you eat candy on a regular that tastes like pear?" I gave her a goofy grin.

"I don't know, but I like it, give me another. What are these again?"

"Hi-chews." I listed throwing another one into her lap. She looked at it then back at the road.

"Open it for me? I'm driving."

I groaned playfully. "Must I do everything myself?"

She grinned, taking the candy from my fingertips. She chewed out a thank you.

During the drive, she checked her tank and looked at the nearest rest stop. When I seen her switching lanes to the nearest exit, I turned to her.

"Where are we going?"

"To get gas."

I nodded, looking out the window as she swerved around the corner smoothly. A few twists and turns, and we were pulling into the gas station. I moved my legs and cleaned up my little candy shop, shoving all of the used wrappers into the bag. She shook her head at me and got out of the car. When I got out too, she raised her eyebrows.

"I'm gonna get more snacks." I grinned. She rolled her eyes. She chose a tier before retracting the pump.

"I'll be here."

I nodded, turning on my heel to head into the dimly lit gas station. A bell dinged above me as I opened and closed the door. I beelined for the beverages, making sure to grab a water for Normani first. Then I headed to the chips, grabbing sweet plantain chips for myself. Then the cakes, grabbing a small carrot cake one for Normani... and my snack haul went in that fashion until my arms were full. I dropped everything onto the counter with a sheepish smile.

The guy at the counter had to be in his early thirties. He threw a charming smile my way as he began ringing me up. Small talk filed between the two of us; remnants of "How's your night going?" and "I've never had these, are they good?" I pointed to a marshmallow pie with a nod, explaining the texture. Even if everything I was saying was complete babbles, the man listened intently with a smile. We were the only ones in the store so I'm sure it was just out of boredom. When he finished ringing me up, I fished my card from my wallet. The bell above the door dinged again. I looked up briefly to see Normani walking towards me with a smirk. She looked between the cashier and I as we continued in mindless conversation. He was saying something to me about a soccer game being on later that night that he was really looking forward to.