Cruisin'
Saturday Night
Justice paired her long-sleeved white scoop neck t-shirt with black leggings and black leather combat style boots. She gathered her pair in a ponytail and quickly completed a thick double-strand twist and secured the end with a black satin hair tie. She wrapped the top of her ponytail with old-school gold balls. She grabbed her gold hoops and applied gold-shimmer gloss. She twisted a front section of hair around her curling wand when the door bell rings. Shit!
Carl waited patiently. He automatically built an extra fifteen into any time he spent with his Girl outside of school. The door swung open, "Sorry…I need to get my coat and purse. Tell America to come in," she trails off walking back down the hall.
"It's just us," he explains placing the box from Michonne on the coffee table. She returns to the front carrying her Army green bomber jacket with the faux fur-trimmed hood and cross body phone-wallet case.
"How…Isn't Noah driving?" she questions.
"Change of plans…this is from Michonne," he points to the box.
Justice opens the note laughing as she reads. She pulls out box after box of unopened perfumes. "Holy shit…this is some of the best."
Carl shrugs, "It's yours now."
"I have to share with the Squad. Anyway, what is the surprise," she turns to him.
"First, Uncle Rick and Michonne are having triplets."
Justice burst into laughter, "No way…Are they freaking out?" she stands.
He helps her into her jacket, "Beyond…come on let's go we have a stop before we get there."
Justice grabs her keys and secures the door. Carl stands behind her, "Close your eyes and turn around."
She follows his directions and he leads her off the porch. When they reach the sidewalk he leans into her ear, "Open your eyes."
Justice blinks, "She let you borrow her car?"
"Nope…she let me buy her car-kinda." She turns and looks at him and glances at the car. "Get in and I will explain." He leads her to the passenger's side and opens the door. She slides in and secures the seatbelt. Once they are on the road out of the neighborhood he starts explaining.
"You know she did private practice in Atlanta at this big, fancy firm. She was lead litigator on this big case. She was promised that the settlement would go to the victims. A little of the money did but the majority went to her firm. She used her bonus to reward herself with the car before she found out. Not long after she resigned and came here. She wanted to give me the car," Justice interjects.
"But a man pays his own way," she finishes.
He smiles. She knows who I am and she listens to what I have to say. "I have to pay registration and change of title fees to become the legal owner," he concludes.
"What did Ms. Carol say?"
"Congratulations. I am sure Uncle Rick talked to her in advance."
"Do I need to change your contact to Tony Stark?" she giggles.
"No, I like being your Professor X," he winks.
Shane patrols the mall introducing himself to managers and handing out business cards. The contract was a giant source of revenue and Simon paid him a substantial bonus. He stops in the jewelry store and walks to the wedding section. "What can I interest in this evening?" the sales girl asks.
He looks over all the diamonds, "Nothing right now. I probably shouldn't shop without her. She has special taste," he offers a small smile. It is too soon for that step.
"Daryl…you and Daddy need to get in the house-it is dark. You have plenty of time to work on that truck," Sasha calls from the front door.
"The flood light is on…We can see fine," they respond.
"We have church in the morning…get in the house," Lonette hollers from behind her daughter.
They grumble, "Alright…We're coming."
Everyone showers and settles in for the evening enjoying each other's company. "Son, tomorrow will be the longest three hours of your life," Harry warns.
Lonette slaps his arm, "Daryl that is not true. Pastor Johnson is preaching so Service should not be more than a couple hours," she attempts to clarify.
"Mama please, you and Ms. Gladys have to hold court on those front steps until the last hat lady leaves," she rolls her eyes.
Daryl looks between each of them. What have I gotten myself into?
Carl and Justice pull into the 'Squeaky Clean' car wash. The attendant takes the card, updates the owner information and directs them to wait inside or out front. Justice tries to teach Carl how to play Ms. Mary Mack but it is an utter disaster. They cannot stop laughing. "Why is your hand so big? You can fold your fingers over my whole hand," she places her palm against his to demonstrate.
He continues to laugh, "Because you are a munchkin and I am not."
"Michonne," the detail technician calls out.
Carl stands and approaches him, "Hey, uh she is not here. I own the car now."
"Dude, how old are you?" he questions.
"Does it matter?" he challenges.
"This is at least $80,000 worth of car-it matters."
Carl reaches in and retrieves the paperwork from the glove box, "Bill of Sale," he huffs.
"Lucky bastard…Pick your scent. She preferred cotton linen or lavender."
Carl calls over his shoulder, "What scent?"
Justice approaches, "New car of course."
Daryl is in bed against the headboard responding to e-mail, "Remind me to thank you properly for suggesting Xavier. He kicks ass."
"Really," she finishes organizing their clothes and climbs in next to him.
"Oh yeah…we are adding an operation room with monitors, satellite equipment. I won't have to be in the field as often and I can give real time coaching."
She breathes a sigh of relief, "I am buying him his favorite bottle. Are you listening to me?"
He stops typing, "What?"
"I know your observation skills are extraordinary. Please do not make me get the church giggles."
"Why would I do that?"
"Daryl between the hats, fur stoles and your fan club in full effect…just don't okay."
He shrugs, "Fine," he shuts down the device placing it on the nightstand. He turns on the noise machine and cuddles with Sasha, "Just in case."
Carl pulls into the parking lot of the 'The Dairy' and backed into an available parking space. He walked around the front of the car and helped Justice out of the passenger seat before securing the lock and triggering the alarm. They hold hands and go in search of their friends. The teenage hot spot is buzzing with activity but a number of students stop to observe the couple and every guy within proximity is eyeing his new ride. "Girl, what took so long," America greets.
"Carl needed to get his new whip detailed," she brags sitting next to her friend.
Noah and Carl are deep in conversation and headed back to the parking lot. "I still can't believe she sold you the car."
"Truth, it is still surreal. I had to show my Bill of Sale at the car wash."
"At least you got to show your papers. My Black ass would have been in cuffs," Noah retorts.
Carl stops walking, "Fuck," he looks at his best friend…his brother, "I shouldn't have complained…I," he cannot finish the thought.
"Hey, don't do that. You understand better than most. Let's focus on what is important…letting me take your whip for a spin," he bumps his boy's shoulder.
The teenage double date is in full swing when Negan's voice calls out, "I thought I would come over and give you a chance to prove your manhood." The group looks at each other and sighs; shake their heads; and roll their eyes silently deciding to ignore his presence and taunt. "Are you a punk or do you not know how to handle your equipment," Negan escalates his rhetoric.
The entire area goes quiet waiting for the next move from either guy. He pushes harder, "Justice I know how to handle my equipment if you want a real ride home," he tongue snakes out and he licks his lips.
Carl shoots up and Justice uses both hands to grip his right arm and hand trying to keep him in place. He will beat him within an inch of his life. "If you open your mouth to spew some vile shit at my woman again I will rip off your balls and shove them down your throat and change your name to Nut-sack. Tell me your bitch ass understands," he grits out.
"Are you threatening me?" he swallows and attempts to back pedal and save face.
"I am making you a fucking promise that we all know I can back up," Noah stands up and places his hand on Carl's left shoulder glaring daggers at Negan's crew.
The bystanders try to hype the situation, "What you gonna do Nut-sack?…I still got that video on my phone…Batman Returns…Put that Stark on him Carl."
"I am gonna grab something to eat but you know where to find me," he backs away from the table. Carl eyes track him until he is out of sight. Slowly everyone returns to their previous conversations.
Justice rubs Carl arm and he looks down at her and she stands. She leads them out to the parking lot. He sits on the front edge of the hood and she stands between his legs. She wraps her arms around his neck and whispers in his ear, "This is inappropriate but you were way hot back there."
He chuckles, "Are you okay…the disrespect," he doesn't finish the statement.
"BAE I have no idea what the source of his misogyny is…bad role model…not breast fed…patriarchy. It doesn't matter. I know who I am and I know my worth and so do you," she kisses the spot right under his jaw line.
"Don't start," he hisses. I will not test out how far the seats recline tonight.
"Why not if I plan on finishing," she replies seductively. She bends her left leg at the knee and slides it on to his thigh against his hip-bringing their bodies closer together.
Their mouths come together in a searing kiss filled by lip nibbles, full caressing tongues and throaty moans. He slides his hands down and holds her in place by the ass. They forget about everything except each other under the starry night sky.