Well, Electa took the next turnoff, returning them to the interstate.

"That was cool." he commented, meaning that epic stunt she'd just pulled off.

It was possible to see the green Pontiac spending down the interstate in the opposite direction, obviously having taken the next exit off to follow them. Good. They had fallen for it. Electa hesitated. "Cully told me about it," she said finally. "He used to bootleg, back in Alabama. You should have heard the stories he used to tell." She fell silent, pain knifing through her.

He bit his lower lip, gently putting a hand to her shoulder, but in a manner where she could easily shake if off if she wanted.

Well, she didn't shrug his hand off. Memories flashed past--Cully smoking his cigar with a grin, shaking his head in the rearview mirror at her and Jake. And then later, Cully's arm firm around her shoulders, steadying her, saying, you did good. You did good. Electa cleared her throat. "Yeah, I've known him for most of my life. He was just...a really good guy." She tried for an upbeat tone. "Wow, look, another depressing topic."

He gently rubbed a thumb against her shoulder in a kind manner. But he wasn't the type to often give a fake laugh at efforts for something upbeat that most likely wouldn't work. "Depression; Feelings of severe despondency and dejection."

Deliberately, she changed the subject. "Do you want to stop and grab something to eat soon, if there's a drive-through?"

Poor girl. Vex! Bad boy, bad time for defining. Bad! Vex shrugged. "Sure." He now felt pretty bad for automatically defining a word. Hm, I wonder why no one likes to chat to much with him. Hmmm. (<---Sarcasm)

The urge at that moment to reach across and touch Vexin...to link her fingers through his or stroke his hair back from his temple was almost overpowering. She tightened her grip on the wheel. Yup. Definitely time for a coffee break.

He noticed her grip tighten and he felt it was his fault. He pulled his hand back and moved away from her, thinking he was a bother.