:All You'll Ever Need: -- Beach

She’d been unsure if she’d be scolded, ignored, or answered at her inquiry but the result she got was far better than expected. Snatching up the keys for the black Challenger, she paused briefly on her way towards the beast, remembering he’d asked for a trade. She’d have rather kept them, after all the man was a car thief, but if it meant she could get the hell outta dodge she was game, so a toss back was done and just like that she had the car door open and the engine flooding to life. She hadn’t even looked back at Elden, to conflicted with her own issues to address him and his dismissal on a few dozen levels. So instead she took to the only means she knew that could soothe her other than a mother’s touch, the feel of horsepower at her fingertips and the open road to test it.

Gears shifted with near fluid skill, though she was still young and sure to make mistakes, as the black beast was jetted back in reverse then floored into gear, the smell of rubber filling the air as she allowed the torque of the machine to turn it around in the same direction she’d originally come. North, away from Cascade and out towards Lover’s Point. To hell with this town, it’s broken families, and men who couldn’t see her for what she was. She hadn’t even had the decency to put her seatbelt on before her big charade, though as soon as she knew she was out of sight and sound the clutch was let up on and downshifting allowed so Desiree could settle into a decent cruise speed.

The storm was brewing on the horizon, lightning flashing against the water, but still she drove. Onward till the point was reached and the sweet ride pulled to a stop. She sat there for a while simply listening to the engine rumble, the sound soothing as brown eyes closed. Only then did she let the tears fall. She was upset at Elden, but also jealous of him. He’s father was alive. Something she’d never get to experience for herself. He got everything. The ability to travel, the cars, the father she never had, everything…and all she could do was stand in the background and watch him move forward and wave or look back at her like the little kid she’d been all those years ago. She was tired of it.

The rage of emotion was short lived, wind rocking the heavy frame as she dried her eyes and realized she’d probably need to be heading back soon. She doubted either of the guys would stick around till she returned if it let loose. Though the idea of heading back to New York was suddenly tempting…would Mr. Sphinx follow her? She didn’t know or care, but a part of her was scared to find out. Sighing, she dried the last of her tears on her sleeve then pumped the car to hear the engine one last time. Satisfied and pleased with the car, Desiree made the windy trek back down the mountain at a near snail’s pace compared to her joy ride up. If she was able she’d milk the journey for another good thirty minutes, but by then it’d probably be pouring.

That’s okay at least then Elden wouldn’t be able to tell she’d been crying.