Gamer Tea 2: Epilogue
“Ooooh, look at it!" Teeba cooed happily, her forepaws trotting in place with excitement. “It's so… angry-looking!"
“I don't know, Tee—are you sure it's big enough for you?" Luke asked, but he found himself smiling at how enamoured his friend had become. Regardless of the size, he knew it would be hard to convince the dragoness not to go through with this.
“Oh my God, are you still worried about size? It will be fine. Besides, it's not like it's something we'll be doing every day," she replied, standing beside it to gauge its size and how comfortable it would be.
“Yeah, but I want it to be right for you. It's your money, after all," Luke remarked, watching as the dragoness sat on the ground beside the Jeep to measure herself against it. Unlike the traditional layout of most Jeeps, this one sported a medium-sized pickup bed behind its dual cab. Additionally, the roof and rear wall could be removed—and had been—to give the vehicle a very open and adventurous feel. Luke looked over the vehicle with a critical eye, it wasn't what he had in mind at all. He had been thinking of something more akin to his old truck and he wasn't convinced that this extended 4x4 was really suitable. Glancing towards her though, he saw her looking at him with a grin as if she was quite proud of her find and he looked back at the Jeep. It lacked the full sized bed that he would have preferred for carrying full sheets of drywall or plywood, however he did notice that it had fittings for a roofrack that would allow him to carry the sheets. He was also sure that the rear tray was too small for the dragoness and was about to speak up, however, as he opened his mouth he could see that with the rear seats folded forward, and Teeba would be able to have her forepaws and chest inside the rear of the cab, while keeping most of her body and hind-end in the tray. By doing this, she would actually have more room than she would have had in his old truck, and combined with the open roof above the driver's seat, he imagined that talking to her would be possible without her having to wedge her head through the window.
Teeba seemed to be having the same thoughts as she sat on the concrete of the car dealership's expansive lot and glanced between her paws and the Jeep, imitating the pose she would be in if she were inside. Under the midday sun and clear blue sky, the dragoness's freshly cleaned and polished scales were almost an identical shade of grey to the Jeep's bodywork, and Luke now knew why they had flown so far to visit this specific dealership.
Since Teeba had caught him scrolling on Marketplace for used trucks in his area, she had surprised him by taking it upon herself to research various models online and then asking his thoughts about them. Considering the dragoness couldn't drive, he found it quite endearing that she took such an interest, and it had become a bit of a game between them to show each other what they had found online. He had noticed quickly that the dragoness had very little interest in used trucks and instead focused on flashier, modern vehicles. In the end, she had claimed she had found the perfect one—and had refused to show it to him. Despite his attempts to guess what it was, she had simply asked him to keep an open mind and trust her, promising that he would love what she had found.
Over the last few days, her heat had finished and he had been more and more curious about what she had discovered. However, every time he asked, she simply grinned and changed the subject. After an entire morning's flight that had left his thighs sore, Luke found himself outside a car dealership in a town he had never visited, looking at brand-new Jeeps. The prices on the windows of the various models made Luke baulk—many of them were double, even triple, the price of the trucks he had been considering.
“Luke, come on, look!" Teeba hissed excitedly as she stood up and craned her neck over the window frame to peer through the open roof. “It's got a screen!" she added, causing Luke to chuckle as he approached the Jeep Gladiator.
Opening the door, Luke looked inside and was genuinely surprised by the interior. He hadn't been in a new vehicle for years and was taken aback by the vast array of switches, screens, and complex plastic trim pieces. Despite its rugged-looking exterior, the Jeep seemed like a surprisingly comfortable place to be, though Luke couldn't help but feel it would be ruined after a few days on the farm. “It is very flashy, but… maybe it's a bit too flashy—"
“Nonsense, my minions get flashy!" Teeba corrected, grinning down at him. “Go on, sit in it… I think you're allowed." She glanced around to see if any salespeople were watching.
“What I mean is, these new trucks have a lot of electronics, which means they've got more things that can go wrong," Luke explained as he climbed into the Jeep and settled into the leather driver's seat. It was far more comfortable than the old pickup. Gripping the steering wheel, he tried to imagine what it would be like to drive. Despite how nicely laid out the buttons and switches were, he couldn't ignore the obvious. “And Jeep isn't exactly known for its reliability…"
Despite his logical rebuttal, the dragoness didn't seem fazed. She stepped closer to the truck and lowered her head through the roof to examine the controls. “Yeah, but that's what warranties are for," she said with a grin, then tilted her head to nuzzle her snout against his cheek. Without thinking, he lifted his hand to cradle her jawline and turned his head to kiss the side of her snout. “Also, your old truck wasn't exactly a bastion of reliability," she added with a giggle.
Her giggle was infectious, and he chuckled before giving her another brief kiss and looked back over the cabin. “Yeah… you got me there," he admitted as he gripped the gear lever and wiggled it from side to side. He hadn't driven a manual since he left the corps, but he imagined the Jeep had a far more refined transmission than the clunky gearboxes in the Humvees. Pressing each pedal in turn, Luke clicked through the gears while stationary on the car lot. Satisfied, he began inspecting the various compartments. Most of the plastic still had protective film over anything that could be scratched, and warning labels were stuck throughout the interior, pointing out the obvious risks of misuse.
When he opened the glove box, however, he found something curious mixed in with the usual owner's manual. Wrapped in clear plastic was something bright yellow and, when he pulled it out, Teeba's attention locked onto the oddity. Peeling back the plastic on the palm-sized object, he chuckled as he realized what it was.
“Oh my God, does it really come with a rubber draggy?" Teeba asked gleefully as Luke turned the small bath toy over in his hand. Unlike a traditional bath toy, this cartoonish rubber dragon wore black aviators on its snout and a gaudy gold chain around its neck. When Luke nodded, the dragoness let out a happy whine and nudged him with her snout. “Done—this is the one."
“Teeba, let's not get ahead of ourselves." Luke chuckled and put the rubber dragon on the dashboard where he had seen other Jeep owners display theirs. “I could just buy you a rubber draggy if you wanted one so bad," He said and looked at her to see her pout dramatically. He could already tell that she was about to argue that it wasn't the same and shook his head with a smile. “T, this is a lot of money. We need to be objective about this kinda stuff—"
“Hello there!"
An overly polite voice came from behind them, and in an instant Teeba pulled her head out of the truck's roof to turn around. Turning in his seat, Luke saw a salesman approaching. With a charming smile and a cheap suit, the man exuded the stereotypical sleaziness of a car salesman and needed no introduction. “Quite a machine that one is—a Gladiator, as tough as they come," he said, gesturing towards the Jeep. “And a perfect colour too; it matches your friend's scales perfectly," he added as Luke opened the door and stepped out of the truck.
Glancing at Teeba, Luke noticed her playful expression had faded and she had adopted a more neutral one. “Yeah, it's a fine piece of kit, but I'm not sure it's really within our price range," Luke said, catching Teeba's eyes flicking to him with a mixed expression.
“Let's not think about the price so much right now; let's think about what you need. I ain't one to sell you something you don't need," the salesman lied, flashing the pair a warm smile. “What drew you to this truck today? Was it the power? Or the capabilities? They build them tough so they can go anywhere, you know?"
Luke had seen this technique from almost every sales person he had dealings with and recognised what the man was trying to do. By creating an emotional attachment or talking about what they needed, he could sell them on the specifics and break down any barriers to a sale. Swallowing, Luke considered how he should reply, but Teeba was quick to interject. “We need a truck that can carry timber and supplies for renovations, but also not get stuck in a paddock if it gets muddy," she said, giving Luke a small smirk. “So, you know—truck stuff. I also want to be able to ride in it on long drives if needed. We're tossing up between half a dozen full-sized trucks, but we wanted to see what you can do for us," she added in a more serious, analytical voice.
Luke noticed the salesman's expression shift for the briefest moment before he renewed his smile and gave her a thoughtful nod. “Of course, this is a serious commitment. Will this be a joint purchase?" he asked, and Luke felt as if the man were asking whether they were together.
“We'll be buying it for my business, but Luke will be the only person who drives it," Teeba explained, giving Luke a reassuring nod.
“Oh, so it's a business purchase, huh? Well, you're in luck! We're running a promotion for business customers at the moment, but I must let you know that it ends today. I don't want to pressure you into something that isn't one hundred per cent perfect for you two. Oh, where are my manners? I'm Samuel, but you're welcome to call me Sam," the salesman said, extending his hand to Teeba first.
Luke waited as the dragoness sat back on her haunches, extended a forepaw toward Sam, and gently shook his hand while introducing herself, before he stepped forward to repeat the gesture. “Do you mind if Teeba gets in?" Luke asked, nodding toward the back of the tray.
The man recoiled slightly, then glanced over his shoulder at the main building of the dealership. “Ah, well, you see, it's kinda against policy to have dragons in the backs of the trucks—liability and insurance and all that… but the boss looks busy, so why not. I just ask that you be careful," Sam said politely. “If this is the one for you, we have a range of rubber mats and bed-liners we can option for you." He stepped aside for Luke and Teeba to pass.
Walking behind the truck with Teeba in tow, Luke opened the tailgate and stepped back for her to step up inside. Even at stock height, she had to make a small jump to get her hind legs into the tray, and once inside Luke wondered if it was too small for her. Sam seemed to read his mind and quickly opened the rear passenger door to fold the rear bench seat down. The whole truck rocked from side to side as Teeba adjusted her position and sat in the bed with her forepaws resting on the backs of the folded seats. Thankfully, with the roof and rear wall removed, there was enough space for her, and Luke could even close the tailgate behind her to stop her sliding backward.
“There we go, a little snug, but it'll keep you nice and secure and stop you sliding around," Sam said proudly, clasping his hands together, “Great thing about these Jeeps is that they're so modular and everything is removable. If you want to take the doors off, you can. That would give you more room to get things out of it, Teeba." He opened the driver's door and gestured for Luke to climb in again. “They really are the most versatile vehicle for dragons and humans—rugged and tough, built to last, yet they ride as smoothly as a car, even with a dragon in the back."
Luke nodded in acknowledgement as he settled into the driver's seat. The rear-view mirror was now almost useless, its reflection dominated by Teeba's front. Sam closed the door and watched through the open window as Luke made himself comfortable. Glancing over his shoulder, Luke smiled when he realised how close Teeba's paws were. Tucked under her body on the rear seats, they were within easy reach, allowing him to give them a reassuring pat as he drove. Likewise, with her chest just behind the front row, it was easy to reach behind his head and stroke the base of her neck where she wore the scarf he had given her. Looking skyward, Luke smiled as Teeba curled her neck to look down at him with a joyful grin. She liked this truck—that much was abundantly clear—and Luke knew it was very likely they wouldn't be flying home.
Sam jogged around the truck, climbed into the passenger seat, and began running Luke through the various buttons and switches scattered throughout the cabin. Most were quite self-explanatory, but there were features—like heated seats—that Luke hadn't expected from such a rugged, utilitarian-looking vehicle. Credit where it was due, the man was thorough, giving scenarios in which they might use each feature and painting a picture of all the adventures they could have in the truck. Nodding politely, Luke listened and occasionally glanced up at Teeba. The dragoness had curled her neck so that her snout intruded through the open roof and was listening intently. When she caught him looking, she smiled softly and gave him a questioning look. Silently she asked whether he wanted the Jeep and, while the price still felt absurd for a truck, Luke could see how well it suited their needs. While the salesman was distracted by a menu on the infotainment system, Luke gave the dragoness a subtle nod, and his heart warmed as her smile deepened and she nodded in agreement.
“And that's just a glimpse of what this beast can do. The stereo is insanely loud and crystal-clear, and I think you're going to love this truck," Sam said as he finished his sales routine and looked up at Teeba. “Now, were you looking to do a trade-in?"
Luke shook his head. “No, nothing to trade. We're starting fresh," he said, glancing up at the dragoness. She looked down at him with a warm expression as the salesman continued.
“Not to worry—you won't find a better truck to ride in, and it's built tough! Great for hauling lumber and drywall, with plenty of room for more. We can also fit roof racks and ladder bars if you need them. Plus, there are heaps of options to really make it yours: lights, radios, you name it!" Sam explained enthusiastically.
“What about pink wheels?" Teeba asked with a playful smile, chuckling as Luke glared at her. “Or pink flames."
“That would be a unique spec, but if you want it, we can either do the work in-house or put you in touch with someone who can," Sam said, looking between the two.
“We can probably do that at a later date, right?" Luke asked, directing the question to the dragoness with a look.
“Of course. We like to look after our customers here—our service doesn't end when you drive off the lot; we're like family," Sam said, combing his fingers through his oily hair. “So, what do you think? Should we look at some numbers, or would you like to take it for a drive? Unfortunately, we can't let you ride in the back, Teeba—liability, insurance, and all that."
Not being able to take Teeba on a test drive was a dampener to the buying process, but they both understood. It wasn't illegal for a dragon to ride unrestrained in the back of a truck; however, it was dangerous, as there was a high chance of being ejected in a crash. Being unrestrained was still safer than being tethered: in a rollover, a restrained dragon would almost certainly be killed. The idea of missing out on a test ride didn't seem to faze the dragoness. She nodded and turned her attention to Sam.
“No, I think you've sold us on this model. But I understand you're not the only Jeep dealer, so if you can make the numbers add up to something good, I think we can work something out."
The next few hours were a blur to Luke. They moved from the truck in the lot to the air-conditioned showroom as Sam explained the various deals they could make. To Luke's initial surprise, the dragoness took the lead in the negotiations, and he quickly learned why. She was incredibly good at it, going through each line of the quotes and haggling down the prices of optional extras by citing figures from other auto shops on her phone. All Luke could do was sit back and watch the dragoness in awe. At some point a different salesperson brought them both coffees, which made Luke chuckle when the dragoness was handed four large mugs and an apology that they didn't have a more suitable cup. She took no offence and drank each one while Sam shuttled between them and his sales manager to 'make sure they were getting the best deal'.
Credit where it was due, Sam had no issues striking a deal with the dragoness, though Luke found the scene almost comical: the dragoness sat across from the slick salesman who was trying to pry gold from her hoard. Their dealings ran well into lunchtime, and Luke was starting to feel hungry just as Teeba managed to haggle the cost down to a figure everyone agreed on.
To Sam's and Luke's surprise, Teeba curled around herself, reached into her tail bag, and produced two plump envelopes of cash. She placed one on the table, then counted from the second to reach the final amount.
“Oh, we don't usually deal with cash for these sorts of—" Sam began, but the dragoness silenced him with a glare.
“Money is money; I'm sure you can work it out," Teeba said with a small smirk, sliding the notes across the table before stowing the rest in her tail bag. The other envelope was still quite full, and Luke caught the salesman's eyes lingering on the rest of the dragon's money before beginning to count with a look of resignation.
After a few minutes of double-checking that all of the money was accounted for, including getting his sales manager to check as well, Sam finally collected their signatures on the paperwork and held out the keys. He offered them first to the dragoness—after all, it was her money—but at a subtle flick of Teeba's folded wing he passed them to Luke.
Key in hand, Luke felt the gravity of their purchase settle over him, and unadulterated gratitude toward the dragoness welled up inside. Too self-conscious to hug her in the middle of the showroom, he promised himself he would thank her properly in private. For now, he looked up, murmured his thanks, and she returned a warm smile.
After a crisp handshake with Sam, the pair walked out to where someone had parked their new truck facing the exit; a salesman had already installed a thick rubber mat in the bed, sealing the deal. Jogging ahead, Luke dropped the tailgate and, with an exaggerated flourish and a small bow, gestured for her to board.
“Your chariot awaits," he said, earning a giggle. Once she was aboard, he closed the tailgate and climbed into the driver's seat. Pressing the clutch and brake as Sam had shown him, he pushed the starter button and the engine roared to life.
Luke glanced behind him and then up at Teeba to ensure she was comfortable. When she nodded, he slipped the truck into first gear and released the handbrake.
“Home?" he asked, eyeing an overpass down the road. Though unfamiliar with the city, he knew he had to head east and could figure the rest out once on the highway.
“Mmmm, not just yet," Teeba mused, curling her head down to dip her snout into the cab. “We're going to need to stop at the power-tools shop," she said happily, pressing her snout to his cheek.
Not caring that the salespeople were watching, Luke cradled her snout again and kissed her on the lips. “You spoil me," he said, and, while keeping his foot on the brake, brought his other hand down the length of her snout to scratch behind her jaw. “Okay, but I'm buying you lunch first," he added, feeling the happy croon resonate through her mouth.
“And snacks—it's not a road trip without snacks," Teeba added, and Luke chuckled before kissing her again.
“Eating in a brand-new car, huh?" he teased before stroking her one last time. When she chuckled and nodded, he simply shook his head in disbelief and accepted her proposal. “Snacks it is, then," he said as he returned his grip to the steering wheel. Flicking on the indicators, Luke checked that the coast was clear before pulling out and continuing their shopping trip.
The afternoon sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as they returned to Crestmead. It had been a long drive, but Luke secretly wished for an excuse to make it last longer. With Teeba riding behind him and a vast collection of boxes nestled around her and filling the footwell, the day had been an expensive one. After a hearty lunch of ribs, chips and steak at a quaint diner, they continued on to a big-box hardware store to buy everything Luke needed to renovate the farmhouse. The actual process of choosing the tools had been unforgettable. Whenever he bought a new tool, he usually avoided setting foot in the store without knowing exactly what he needed. This time, however, once he had picked up the essentials, Teeba noticed that they were all from the same teal-and-black brand and began plucking anything else that matched, adding each item to their shopping cart. A game quickly broke out: he tried to return the extras to the shelves while she cheerfully collected every tool the brand made.
The result was a Jeep awash with Maakina-branded tools, packs of nails, screws and various other odds and ends. For some of the larger items, like the portable table saw, they had to unbox it in the parking lot just to make the cumbersome thing fit. They would have to return for more supplies, but Luke wanted Teeba involved in the process to ensure he was fixing things the way she wanted. Although she had initially promised that he could remodel the house as he pleased, he had been spending all his time in Teeba's barn—and had even moved his computer down there so they could spend their nights gaming together.
Now, remodelling the house was a project they both wanted to tackle. Its final form was still a mystery, but the idea of creating it with her excited Luke. Reaching across to the passenger seat, he fumbled around a boxed circular saw and a bucket of screws until he found the large pack of jerky he'd bought at the petrol station. Tearing off a chunk, he took a bite from one corner before holding the rest up through the open roof for Teeba. The dragoness had been looking ahead, but when his hand brushed her neck she glanced down to see his offering. Luke watched as she curled her neck and dipped her head to take the dried meat from his hand with a grateful hum.
The salesman had been right; with so much of the Jeep removed, it offered plenty of ways for the dragoness to stay close to him as they drove. If Teeba didn't have so many boxes tucked around her, she could lean to one side, curl in further, and rest her head on top of the windshield. She had already commented a few times on how much more comfortable the Jeep was compared with his old truck, and Luke agreed. With cruise control holding their speed and one hand on the wheel, he fed Teeba a steady stream of snacks while the stereo streamed music from the dragoness's phone. Though he preferred rock, he wasn't ashamed to catch himself singing along to the poppier songs she liked.
When the track changed to one Luke didn't recognise, he glanced up to see the dragoness bobbing her head to the beat and turned up the dial. With the music blaring, he chuckled as Teeba swayed her neck from side to side and mantled her wings to catch the air. The sound of the Jeep's engine changed pitch as it burned more fuel to maintain their speed, but neither of them cared while the dragoness sang at the top of her lungs. Not knowing the lyrics, Luke simply nodded along, drumming his fingers on the wheel in time with the beat and extending his hand out the window to catch the air as well.
The song continued as they drew nearer to Crestmead, and Luke recognised a few landmarks. He rarely approached the town from this direction, but he guessed they were only a few minutes from the town centre. They would have to pass through it on their way to Teeba's farm—something that made Luke's smile falter slightly. He and Teeba hadn't left their barn for days, let alone venture into town, nor had they told anyone they were truly together. He suspected word of his being disowned by his parents had spread, but there was a big difference between leaving home and sleeping with a dragon.
Teeba seemed to share his thoughts, and as the song ended, she lowered her head into the cab. Luke twisted the volume knob as the next track started and glanced at her, noting the concern in her eyes.
“Hey, do you want me to fly on ahead?" she asked, and Luke knew exactly what she meant. If she flew home, they wouldn't be seen together; he would look like just another passer-by travelling through the small town.
With one hand on the wheel, he used the other to scratch under her chin while he thought. “Nah, let them see us," Luke said finally, then leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the snout. “They'll find out eventually—now's as good a time as any."
He was rewarded when she pressed her snout against his shoulder and nuzzled a soft kiss to his collarbone.
“Are you sure?" Teeba asked softly, pressing into him a little more when he nodded. Luke's heart swooned at the contact, and the fact that she knew how big of a moment this could be for them. Reaching up, he scratched her scales more to reward her.
“Yeah, might as well," Luke said, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. His heart still beat faster and he gripped the steering wheel tighter as the speed limits dropped and they began driving through the sleepy country town.
The music playing from the Jeep's stereo faded into the background as Luke spotted a group of construction workers setting up ahead to do some night work. They appeared to be remarking the lines or repairing potholes in the main street that bisected the town. Several trucks blocked one lane of the road, and a bored-looking black drake stood before them, a stop/slow sign cradled in the crook of his folded wing. The Jeep's headlights made the silvery sections of the drake's harness glow, and Luke eased off the accelerator while the drake spoke into a radio. As they drew closer, the drake shifted his grip on the sign—unfortunately presenting the STOP side to Luke and Teeba.
Coming to a halt in the middle of town, Luke looked past the drake and now he understood the delay as he spotted a large piece of machinery trundling along the single open lane. He pulled up the handbrake, slipped the Jeep into neutral, and lifted his feet off the pedals. Glancing around, he noticed a few of the townsfolk still about as the shops closed for the evening. Among them were two dragons who made Luke's stomach drop and prompted him to shrink instinctively behind the wheel.
Across the road, outside the now-closed bakery, Liirahn and Daarneh chatted idly as the world passed them by—until one of them glanced toward Luke and Teeba and did a double take. Luke forced himself to stare straight ahead, but in his peripheral vision he saw the blue dragoness nudge her friend and nod in their direction. “Oh mah lawd!!!" came Liirahn's sickly sweet yet slightly accusatory voice.
Luke's cheeks burned beet-red, but he still managed a small wave of acknowledgment. Teeba likewise offered a polite nod and a quick lift of her wing in greeting as the pair rose to their feet and trotted over. “Are you sure? Last chance. We could lie and make something up, or something." Teeba asked between her teeth in a tense whisper, and Luke took a deep breath before giving her a reassuring yet subtle nod.
“Well, if it ain't you two little eggs! How are you? Is this new? This isn't your usual truck, is it?" Liirahn chirped as she stepped up to the Jeep and looked it over. Without giving them a chance to answer, she nudged Daarneh with her folded wing and went on, “My, it is very shiny, isn't it? Daarneh said she saw your old truck the other day, but your father was driving it—with some other guy. What happened?"
“Ah, that would probably be my cousin," Luke answered stiffly, forcing a smile at the older 'nesses. The pair began to circle the truck and, while he wasn't worried about them scratching the paint, he did feel like they were judging him as they peered inside. “I'm guessing you've heard they took back the business, right?" Luke asked, catching Daarneh glancing toward Liirahn with a look that said, I told you so.
“What? Really? No… that's wild!" Liirahn replied in an attempt to conceal the truth. “So you're out of a job now, are you? Or starting your own company?" she asked, nodding toward the boxed tools stacked around the cabin and tray.
“Oh, I'm going to keep him busy. He's helping fix up the old house and a few other things around the farm," Teeba said with a polite smile. “I figured I'd put a good-looking man like him to work. After all, he's really good with his hands… really good…" she added with a playful smirk that made the dragonesses' eye ridges rise at what she was suggesting.
Luke's heart skipped a beat as the two elderly dragons' jaws parted and they looked between him and Teeba.
“I—ahh—try to earn my keep," Luke stammered, his cheeks blazing as he watched the pair of dragonesses begin to smile knowingly. Glancing ahead, he was relieved to see a large roadworks vehicle pull off the road, and the dragon holding the stop sign looked over his shoulder. Reaching down, he slid the gear lever into first, preparing to move on.
“Oh, so you're still staying at the farm then? How does that work? Are you sharing that barn together? Or…" Liirahn asked, clearly eager to know if something had developed between him and Teeba.
Before he could reply, Teeba cut in with a nod. “Well, yeah—since I took his D-card, I haven't let him leave my bed," she said sweetly, catching both Luke and the dragonesses off guard with her bluntness. Teeba giggled awkwardly as she took stock of their stunned expressions and grinned as she bent to kiss Luke on the top of his head. “Yup, best heat I've ever had. We went at it like jackrabbits, didn't we, sweetie?" she added with a giggle.
Luke's eyes widened as the traffic controller ahead flipped the sign to allow them through. Without hesitation, he dropped the clutch and set off—only to lurch to a halt when the Jeep stalled, the dash flashing a reminder that the handbrake was still engaged. Teeba's snort of amusement sounded far louder without the engine running as he frantically kicked in the clutch and mashed the starter button again. In stereo, the pair of older dragonesses chuckled while he disengaged the parking brake and finally surged away from them.
“We're off!" Teeba announced as they drove through the roadworks and continued down the main street. The dragoness chuckled and looked down at Luke. When he glared up at her, she broke into an unrestrained cackle and shrugged her wings. Her laughter continued until they had left the town, when she finally began to settle. “Hey, at least they now know."
“That was not what I meant by telling them, not at all!" Luke cried with a small smile as he changed gears and sped up. “I was thinking of something simple, like 'oh, and we're dating now,' or something. Not… jackrabbits? Really?" he added, but found himself laughing along with her as she burst into another fit of giggles.
“Well… was I wrong?" Teeba asked at last, looking down at him. Luke recalled how they had indulged themselves throughout her heat, and indeed they had acted like horny teenagers. He glanced up at her and shook his head, causing the dragoness to grin happily. “Then all I did was tell them the truth!"
“Well… it's done now," Luke said in mock defeat and let his head relax against the headrest. “At least there won't be any doubt about us being together now." He took a deep breath. Looking up again, he smiled at the dragoness, who grinned back at him while her scarf flapped in the breeze. Focusing on the road ahead, he reached over to pull out another piece of jerky and held it up for Teeba.
With a delicate bite she took it from him, used her tongue to draw it deeper into her maw, and hummed her thanks. While her head was still lowered, Luke took the opportunity to blindly stroke her jawline before returning both hands to the wheel. They would be home soon, and as he turned down the road that would take them to Windsoar Farm, Luke began to think of ways he might repay her for such a memorable day. Even if he ignored the fact that the dragoness had spent a fortune on him, the simple act of spending the entire day with her had made him feel like the happiest man alive. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that nothing could have made him happier, nor could he think of anywhere he would rather be than driving with his mate as the sun set in the west and they headed home.
I hope you have all enjoyed reading Gamer Tea 1 and 2. It was a lot of fun writing Luke learning about himself and Teeba is always a joy to write. This will be the final chapter that is dedicated to these two, but they may still appear as cameos in other stories of mine.
If you have enjoyed this series, and you would like to go an extra step to say thanks, the best way to support me and my writings is to pick yourself up a copy of my book. Tails of the West: The Silver Fangs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR5XWNGZ