#unc

it’s late in the afternoon.

the sun is dropping low over the parking lot outside the tennis court and everything is washed in that silky gold blanket that makes their post workout high feel calmer than they expected it to.

“i can’t wait to take a shower.” she hums as she swings their racks in her hands while he walks slightly ahead of her.

“mm, me too.” he says looking back at her with the cheekiest expression. she giggles, shaking her head as she selfishly admires how his back muscles flex underneath his shirt.

jack huffs as he unlocks the car with his key as he stands next to his truck like it’s just another extension of him.

she calls his truck, ‘actual true love’ which caused him to playfully roll his eyes at how she teases him about his prized possession. mans best friend.. or whatever they say.

it’s large, black, and impossibly clean for a man that lives in chaos most days. he keeps his swat bag in the trunk and his work bag on the floor behind his seat.

he taps the hood once, then looks at her with prideful eyes, “you’re going to learn how to drive it.”

she paused as her eyes widen at his sudden intrusion of her oogling, “what?” she laughs, “oh, stop.” she brushes off.

“i’m not joking baby.” jack nods at her, motioning her to come towards the drivers seat.

“i- i don’t think i can! your car is like a monster, babe. she throws her hands up as if that was shielding her away from him.

“well, that’s why you’re learning,” he says too casual for her liking.

she hesitates where she stands on the curb, fingers curling at the hem of her workout skirt. “c’mon baby, it’s huge.” she states.

jack opens his mouth for a comeback but she glowers at him in warning making him shake his head as his chest shakes from his low chuckle.

“what if i mess up?” she urges.

his gaze softens as he reached his arms out for her. she takes his hand in hers before he pulls her close into him like that’s the exact answer she’d give him.

“then you’re just gonna correct it,” he says. “or you stop and pull over, baby. nothing bad will happen.”

she groans in response and hands him the racks as he opens the drivers side door for her anyway. “get your cute ass in.” he tuts.

she yelps as she playfully taps her bum with large palm. grumbling as the seat swallows her in.

it all feels too high for comfort. it’s not as daunting when she’s the passenger princess. the truck suddenly feels too wide in every direction as she adjusts the seat twice before even looking at him.

jack gets in on the passengers side “okay,” he says, while she pressed the electric turn-on button.

she glances at him while her hand hovers over the gear for a second too long but he doesn’t rush her— he just waits and that makes it worse and better all at the same time.

she gulps as he reminds her about the blind spots before she finally shifts into drive. the truck gives a small roll forward and her breath catches immediately grabbing the steering wheel tighter than necessary. her knuckles going white as she peers out of the windshield.

“ey,” jack says, “baby, you’re in control, it’s not going to run like a horse.”

“i- i know,” she says quickly. “i just—this is so big.”

“it sure is,” he replies, looking out at the nearly empty parking lot.

he still directs her slowly though.

a lap around the lot— she jerks the wheel once when she turns too sharply and immediately looks like she’s about to apologize.

“it’s fine,” he interjects softly, “you’re overcorrecting yourself.. when have i not done that in a tight turn?” he comforts as she nods.

“o—okay i’m easing into it,” she mutters, which makes him glance at her.

that’s the first smile she gets out of him.

“you call that easing?” he jokes making her scoff.

her cheeks flush a deep pink as she talks while her eyes stay glued to the view in front of her, “it feels like easing.”

“that’s because you’re nervous.”

she doesn’t argue that part because he’s right.. like always.

on the third lap, her grip loosens and her worried breathing slows and the truck suddenly doesn’t feel like it’s swallowing her while anymore. it just feels like something she’s learning to understand.

of course, her notices immediately. “you’re doing better,” he says proudly.

she blinks over at him. “really?” she squeals excitedly, her body jumping up and down in the seat slightly.

“yes.”

there’s no hesitation to his voice as she glances at how his freckled arm hands out the window. she can’t help but take her bottom lip in between her teeth at the way he gave her his confirmation.

it lands more than it should and jack raises his eyebrows, deciding not to say anything.

the fourth lap around is clean. she turns smoothly and has good acceleration. she actually laughs a little, surprised at herself because now she’s got it all under control.

“i didn’t mess it up,” she says, almost disbelieving.

“you didn’t,” jack agrees, “have more faith in yourself, baby. when you put your mind to something, you’re always going to do well even if it takes practice.”

she glances over at him, her lashes fluttering softly, “well you make it look so easy.”

he chuckles, “it’s just practice.” he pause for a second. then softer, “and paying attention.” he points making her smile.

when she finally parks back into a random spot, she doesn’t immediately get out. her hands are still on the wheel.

jack cocks his head “good girl, you did great.” he says like he wants it to stick.

she smiles timidly, “you’re just saying that because i didn’t crash your truck.”

“i wouldn’t let you crash it.” he says defensively, like it was never an option in the first place.

she looks down for a second, then back up at him. “so all of this was… what? to prepare me for something?”

his eyes flick to hers briefly. “something like that.” he reached over the console and rested his hand on her thigh out of habit, “if you ever needed to drive it, i don’t want you afraid of it.”

she nods, laying her hand onto his as he squeezed her thigh absentmindedly. they stay like that for a good while before she steps out slowly, still a little stunned at how normal it started to feel.

jack is quick to follow—he helps her into the passengers side before he rounds back to the driver seat and rests a hand briefly on the truck like he’s checking it’s fine then looks back at her.

“i think it’s a good idea to get you more practice in,” he says, climbing in.

she blinks. “jack!” she groans, “you’re gonna make me drive this thing again?”

“yes.” he says, reaching over and pulling the seatbelt over her lap and locking her in.

“fine,” she finally says as he starts to drive out of the lot, but there’s a small smile plastered across her pinky glossed lips.

jack nods once, like it’s settled. his hand resting on her thigh yet again as she reached towards the radio to pick a playlist.

“let’s go home and shower, shall we?” he hums.