And So It Continues (MBBF Sequel)

Jamie & the Brand New Car

"If you say so."

He just shook his head, letting out a defeated sigh. "Come on, James, let's go."

I finished off my Frappuccino as we left, tossing it into the wastebasket.

My dad had long since finished his.

"Where to first?" I asked, as I clambered into the passenger seat.

Dad ignored me as he connected his phone to the Bluetooth radio.

"Let me choose!" I said, grabbing his phone from him before he could cue up his Spotify.

"None of that shit your mother likes," dad said, as he pulled out onto the main road.

I rolled my eyes as I went onto Apple Music, shuffling through the music choices.

"Is this MCR?" dad asked, glancing toward me.

I nodded. "I'm really into their Black Parade album right now."

He flashed me a quick smile. "I knew I raised you right."

The two of us rode in a comfortable silence, My Chemical Romance blasting from the speakers.

Unlike mom, dad didn't sing along, but instead tapped out the rhythm on the steering wheel.

And then my dad pulled into the left turning lane.

I reached over to lower the volume. "Dad that's a car dealership."

"I know."

My eyes widened as the butterflies erupted in my stomach. "Why are we going to a car dealership?"

My dad made the turn, pulling into an empty spot. "To look at the Audi S8."

My dad would never drive an Audi.

He glanced toward me. "What color are we looking at?"

I vaulted across the center console, wrapping my arms around him. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

He laughed, giving me a tight squeeze in return. "Don't thank me yet. We still have to buy the car."

I followed him inside the dealership and the salesman went to go find the keys to a White Audi S8 Plus.

"What made you change your mind?" I asked.

Dad folded his arms across his chest, glancing toward me. "Because I can't protect you from everything, James. I'll do the best damn job I can, but there are some things I can't be there for. And this is one of them."

My dad let me test drive the car, seeing how it ran and if I liked it.

"Give is a minute," dad said to the salesman, once we got back.

The two of us stepped outside.

"Is it alright with you?" dad asked. "I've probably test drove the damn thing fifteen times."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Why?"

"Because I wanted to find a car that your mom and I could agree on."

That explains the Audi.

"If you didn't like it there's no rush-" he continued, but I cut him off before he could finish.

"I loved it."

A smile twitched at his lips. "I figured as much."

"So what now?"

"Now I have to sit through negotiations, which is never fun. And then I'll bring your mom back around later today to pick it up."

I stared at him for a few moments, confusion rippling through me. "Why wouldn't I just drive it home?"

Dad let out a long sigh. "Let's just buy the car and then take things from there."

I wrapped my arms around him, much to his surprise. "Thank you, daddy."

After relentlessly pestering him, I didn't actually expect to get another car. I knew that my dad hadn't taken my accident well.

My mom, who often helps me fight my battles against my dad, told me she was siting this one out. That he deserved to win this round.

And after that I'd lost almost all hope. My dad was a tough wall to break when it came to certain things.

Like my first date. And a car. And grounding me for my grades.

I stepped back from my dad. "So does this mean I can drive myself to my dates now?" I asked, with a teasing smile.

"Hell no."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Dad slung his arm around my shoulders. "But this does mean you can do last-minute grocery runs for me again."

I rolled my eyes in response. "Great. I love standing in line on Super Bowl Sunday because you ran out of salsa."

"One day you can make Theo go for you." He nudged my shoulder. "Older cousin perks."

He glanced back toward the main door to the car dealership. "You're sure you're happy with the car?"

I nodded.

"Because once we sign the contracts it's done. I want you to make sure you're happy with it." He checked his phone for the time. "Maybe we should take a day to think about it."

I don't think I'm the one that's unsure.

"Whatever you think, dad."

He just shook his head. "You get that from your mother."

Sure do. The ability to placate and guilt-trip my dad came from years of watching my mom do it.

I shot him an innocent smile. "What?"

"You're lucky I love you, kid."

I rose up in my tip-toes, kissing his cheek. "That I am."

"Alright, James. Let's go start these negotiations." He raised an eyebrow at me. "This is going to be a several hour process."

Sounds like a fun afternoon.