#oversized trucking companies

[kingbrostransport]

What do you need to know about specialized freight shipping 

This article is dedicated to helping you understand and learn more about specialized freight shipping. The idea is to help you understand how opting for such a service can be a valuable proposition for your business.

When we talk about freight business, it is pretty much easy to understand how they operate. Most of the items can be transported using the basic or standard LTL services. This is what most freight or trucking companies offer. But there are special circumstances when the item which is to be freighted is exceptionally large. What happens then?

This is precisely where specialized freight shipping via oversized trucking companies comes into the picture. This service also comes in handy when you have to transport items that require a very specific type of handling, and need specialized care and procedure as far as transit handling and transport is concerned. This service is also useful when the typical or standard trailers do not work.

One of the most essential benefits of using the services of oversized trucking companies is that it allows you to move items that otherwise cannot be moved using the standard methods. If you have to move large machinery, trucks, and other equipment that are oversized, this type of service comes in handy.

Specialized freight shipping can also handle hazardous materials and even emergency shipments which may not be accepted by standard shipping because of the lack of infrastructure needed to transit such items and products. So, there are multiple uses of specialized freight services.

[ontimefreight01]

Oversize Load Trucking Companies | Ontimefreight.com.au

Speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team. We’ll find you the best interstate freight quote to transport freight in Australia.

[catcaller-trucking]

Pink sky at night sailors delight. Wonder if it's the same for us truckers. Hammer down!

[coast2coasttruckingpermits]

Transport Challenges: The Ultimate Solution For Trucking Permits

Trucking permits are the foundation of a well-working transportation industry. These fundamental records guarantee the legal compliance of cargo carriers, assisting them with defeating different difficulties in the business. 

This article digs into the world of trucking permits, such as New Mexico DOT permits, making sense of their importance, types, and the guidelines that administer them. You'll comprehend why trucking permits are essential for a flourishing and consistent transport business.

We will investigate how they add to safety and proficiency in the transport area, smooth out operations for trucking organizations, and element genuine contextual analyses to feature their reasonable benefits. 

Understanding Trucking Permits

Trucking permits are specific licenses that award carriers the legal power to transport merchandise across state and worldwide boundaries. These permits come in different types, each intended to address explicit difficulties inside the industry. 

Oversize permits are given for vehicles that surpass standard size limits, while overweight permits are vital when a truck's heap outperforms legal weight limitations. Fuel charge permits, then again, are fundamental for following and paying fuel burdens precisely.

To get and keep up with these permits, carriers should comply with many thorough guidelines laid out by government and state specialists. Inability to consent to these guidelines can prompt costly fines, postponements, or even suspension of business operations. 

Navigating Administrative Obstacles

The transport industry is overflowing with complex and consistently developing guidelines that can be overwhelming for carriers to explore. From safety norms to natural approaches, trucking organizations should shuffle various legal prerequisites at the same time. 

Neglecting these necessities can bring many difficulties, including fines, legal liabilities, and harm to an organization's standing. Trucking permits go about as a directing light through this maze of guidelines. 

They frame the circumstances and prerequisites for legal transport, guaranteeing carriers stay agreeable with the law. This assists organizations with staying away from legal entrapments and improves their standing for safety and dependability. 

Upgrading Safety And Proficiency

Safety is vital in the transportation industry, where weighty vehicles cross the country's streets and parkways daily. Trucking permits assume a significant part in guaranteeing safe transportation rehearses. 

More extensive than usual and overweight licenses, for example, are given with severe adherence to vehicle and burden particulars, forestalling potential mishaps brought about by over-burdening or curiously oversized freight. 

These permits expect carriers to avoid potential risks, like utilizing accompanies or concentrated hardware. Furthermore, the productivity of the transport cycle is incredibly improved by trucking permits. 

By sticking to these permits' prerequisites, carriers can avoid defers brought about by legal issues, investigations, and fines. This recoveries time and upgrades consumer loyalty, permitting businesses to keep up with their strategic advantage. 

Streamlining Operations

Procuring, making due, and reestablishing trucking permits can be a tedious and officially requesting process. Without a proficient framework set up, the desk work included can turn into a massive block to a trucking organization's operations. 

Luckily, innovation has stepped in to smooth out the allowing system. With the assistance of grant the executives programming and online application frameworks, carriers can proficiently deal with all parts of their permits. 

These arrangements give a one-stop stage to applying for permits, overseeing re-establishments, and following compliance. This lessens regulatory weights and limits the possibility of missing cutoff times or making blunders that could bring about costly fines. 

Contextual Analyses And Examples Of Overcoming Adversity

To show the reasonable benefits of trucking permits, we'll dive into genuine contextual investigations and examples of overcoming adversity of businesses that have flourished by focusing on license services. 

These accounts will understand how organizations have beaten explicit difficulties by utilizing the proper permits, such as New Mexico DOT permits, and conforming to guidelines effectively.

We'll likewise highlight interviews with industry specialists and experts who will share their experiences with the effect of trucking permits on businesses and the transport area. 

Conclusion

Trucking permits are a definitive answer for the various transport difficulties carriers face. They are the legal establishment that guarantees protected and productive transportation while assisting businesses with navigating the mind-boggling snare of guidelines. 

By streamlining operations and offering pragmatic benefits, these permits are irreplaceable for the progress of any transport organization. The contextual analyses and examples of overcoming adversity highlight how trucking permits can have a genuine effect on the industry. 

[flatbed-shipping-companies]

Local Flatbed Shipping Companies Near Me in the USA: Streamlining Your Transportation Needs with Flatbed Hauling Quotes, Inc.

When it comes to transporting oversized or heavy cargo, finding reliable and efficient local flatbed shipping companies is crucial. The United States, with its vast expanse and diverse industries, requires a robust network of transportation services to meet the demands of businesses and individuals.

Local Flatbed Shipping Companies: A Reliable Solution Local flatbed shipping companies offer a range of services tailored to meet the unique requirements of transporting oversized or heavy cargo. These companies specialize in utilizing flatbed trailers, which provide an open and versatile platform for accommodating various load sizes and shapes. Local companies provide the advantage of proximity, ensuring quicker response times, better familiarity with regional regulations, and a deeper understanding of local routes.

The Importance of Flatbed Hauling Services: Flatbed Hauling companies connect customers with local flatbed shipping companies across the USA. With their extensive network, they simplify the process of obtaining accurate and competitive quotes for transporting oversized cargo.

a) Streamlined Quote Requests: Regional flatbed trucking companies offer a user-friendly online platform where you can submit your transportation requirements. By providing detailed information about your cargo, including dimensions, weight, and any specific handling considerations, you can receive accurate quotes from local flatbed shipping companies near you.

b) Cost Comparisons: Flatbed Haulers near you enable you to compare quotes from multiple local companies, allowing you to make informed decisions based on cost, services offered, and company reputation. This process saves you time and effort in contacting individual companies separately.

c) Tailored Solutions: Flatbed Hauling companies understand that each transportation job is unique. They work closely with their network of local flatbed shipping companies to provide tailored solutions that meet your specific requirements. Whether you need specialized equipment, permits, or additional services, they ensure that your needs are addressed effectively.

d) Reliable and Verified Network: Flatbed companies conduct rigorous screening and verification processes to ensure that their network comprises reliable and professional service providers. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that your cargo is in capable hands.

Local flatbed shipping companies play a vital role in the transportation of oversized or heavy cargo. When searching for reliable and efficient solutions, Flatbed Hauling Quotes, Inc. serves as a valuable resource, connecting you with local companies that can meet your specific transportation needs. By leveraging their network and obtaining accurate quotes, you can streamline the process, save time and money, and ensure a successful transportation experience. Choose a local flatbed shipping company that aligns with your requirements, and rest assured that your cargo will reach its destination safely and efficiently.

[flatbedhaulingquotes]

The Nitty-Gritty of Heavy Haul Shipping

The heavy haul is a vital part of the shipping and transportation economy, moving goods and materials to and from businesses and consumers. But what happens behind the scenes to make this process work?

What Is Heavy Haul Shipping?

Trucking is the backbone of the American economy. It is how goods get from factories to stores, and from ports to inland cities. But as the economy has grown, so has the demand for efficient Heavy Haul Shipping companies. And the major challenge of this industry is skilled truck drivers.

Heavy Haul Shipping is a type of trucking where large, overweight cargo is moved. Because this type of shipping requires a special truck and driver, it is not as impacted by the driver shortage. The heavy haul is a growing industry. As the economy continues to grow, the demand for these professional Flatbed Shipping Companies Near Me will continue to increase.

What Are The Benefits Of Heavy Haul Shipping?

The heavy haul is a specialized transportation service that is used to move large and heavy objects over long distances. This type of shipping can be used for a variety of purposes, including moving machinery, heavy equipment, and other large objects.

There are several benefits to using Heavy Haul Shipping. First, this type of shipping can save you time and money. It is often faster and more cost-effective than using traditional transportation methods. Additionally, heavy haul shipping can help you avoid damage to your items.

Another benefit of heavy-haul shipping is that it can help you comply with safety regulations. By using a specialized transportation service, you can ensure that your items will be handled safely and securely. This can help you avoid any potential safety hazards.

How Does Heavy Haul Shipping Work?

When it comes to shipping heavy or oversized cargo, there is more to it than meets the eye. Heavy haul shipping can be tricky, and it takes a lot of know-how to get it done safely and efficiently. Here are some of the nitty-gritty details of heavy-haul shipping:

•Find a carrier that can handle your shipment. Not all Flatbed Shipping Companies Near Me have the equipment or experience to handle heavy-haul shipping.

•Determine the shipping route. Some routes are more challenging than others, and you’ll need to make sure your cargo can make it safely to its destination.

•Calculate the weight and dimensions of your shipment to ensure that it meets the requirements of the carrier.

•Make sure that your cargo is properly secured for transport. This can be a challenge, especially with large and heavy items.

•Plan for extra transit time, as heavy haul shipments often take longer to transport.

•Be prepared for potential delays and changes in plans.

•Make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage for your cargo.

For more details visit our website flatbedhaulingquotes.com

[heavyhaultransport]

Heavy Haul Oversize Trucking

heavyhaultransporting.com

[dcxdpdabbles]

Danny's Grill Part 2

Special thanks to @mkarchin713 for letting me use their idea.

Tim's night had been hectic.

Not only have things at WE taken a turn for the worst due to some random influencer that decided Wayne Enterprises was the cause of global warming and convinced all his fans of the same- despite the fact they were the nation's leading company in green energy- sales have been down.

The board was breathing down his neck to fix the stocks while being no help at all to get the youth back on their side. He's already pulled twelve hours of overtime this week and it was only Wednesday.

He's been dealing with the PR nightmare while trying to get to the bottom of data theft across multiple big-name technology companies. Reports of scams and total funds lost were reported all through Gotham and only his city.

Tim suspects someone had been planting screen recording devices in one of Gotham's shipping factories before they left the buildings, stealing all the information from new buyers.

Since his theory is so hard to trace, he's been having difficulty pinpointing the base of operations, never mind having enough proof for his thesis. After Bruce's lost-in-time fiasco, Tim learns to have evidence before going to the family with anything.

So that means he's been trying to fight his way on his own, which usually isn't too much to handle, but stress and lack of sleep have really been slowing him down.

Thankfully, a specific food truck appears in his line of sight, and his mood improves drastically. He finds a safe roof to quickly change into his civilians, already fantasizing about what delicious food he would eat.

Dressed in his typical Alvin Draper disguise- black, almost second-skin tights and an oversized sweater- he all but skips to Danny's Grill.

"Night, Danny," He says, smiling at the back of the chef. He leans on the little extended table outside the truck's small window. He takes a sniff of the air, mouth watering at the scent.

Looks like tonight is cheeseburgers, as Danny carefully flips some patties. Danny whirls around with a smile of his own, only to drop the spatula in horror.

"Alvin! What happened!?" Danny shouts, nearly flinging himself through the tiny opening. The vigilante blinks in confusion before catching his reflection in the napkin dispenser.

In his haste to have some of Danny's food, he forgot to cover up a black eye, swollen right cheekbone, and busted lip from his last faulty lead. A goon had gotten him by surprise and had nearly rearranged his face before he was able to get his wits about him.

"Nothing, really; it comes with the job, you know?" Tim tries to play off, laughing nervously when Danny's expression crumbles into pure rage. "Look, it's no big deal-"

"How can it not be a big deal!? Half your face is swollen!"

That happens when someone hits you with a metal pipe in the face. He thinks hysterically. "I've had worse."

"That's not comforting!" Danny screams, throwing off his apron. "Let me close down, and I'll take you to a doctor-"

"No hospitals. They'll ask where I got this, and I can't answer that." Tim cuts in, voice hard. There is a tense moment where he thinks Danny will force him to go anyway, but after a moment the other man growls slamming his hands on the counter.

"Fine. Fine. No hospitals. At least let me ice it." It takes everything in Tim not to shrink back from the hateful tone. He barely has the mind to nod as Danny quickly unlocks the little door that leads into his truck, ushering the Bat inside with barely controlled rage.

He knows it's not aimed at him, but being around someone so upset makes his skin crawl. Tim has problems with offending people; his parents had been masters in drilling into him from a young age.

That's why Tim always sought the approval of everyone around him, even if he couldn't stand the person.

He has been working on it, but old habits died hard.

"Sorry." He mumbles as Danny quickly gets a zippy bag full of ice.

"Don't. Apologize." Danny bites before taking a large breath, clearly trying to calm down. He gently places the ice against Tim's cheek, staring at him with such tender worry Tim can't help but feel butterflies. "You don't have to apologize for getting roughed up. Never. Okay?"

Tim nods, shyly looking away as his stomach is rapidly overrun by even more butterflies. "Okay."

"Come home with me." Danny suddenly blurts as if the words were forced out of him. He looked just as surprised by them as Tim was.

"What?"

"Just for tonight. Just so I know you're safe." Danny all but pleas, and Tim- well, Tim has never been known to be strong enough to resist his impulses. Sure, the family might worry, but he can send them a message claiming to be undercover, and frankly- it's been so long since Tim's had a break.

He's always wanted to know more about Danny outside his food truck. He hadn't been able to find much on him. Tim is a detective by heart. He wants to know everything there is to know about Danny Fenton.

"I can leave when I want." He says, as Danny carefully places a warm hand on his other cheek. "And I sleep in my own space. No bed sharing. I also want to take a shower but I don't have anything to sleep in."

"You can borrow something of mine/ Whatever you need." The words are practically a warm hug, and Tim feels relaxed. Already the shitty week feels less terrible, and he finds himself growing bold enough to take an obvious sniff of the air.

"Can I have a burger?"

There is a hint of an amused smile, but it does not cover up the worry. "Of course you can."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The shower is running in Danny's house.

It's a bit out of the way, about a forty-minute drive outside of Gotham limits, but it's spacious and private, just the way Danny liked it.

Ever since he inherited his title, he's found this house on the list of properties, and that was why he chose to take Gotham by storm in his little truck.

Danny isn't really sure what the story of the property was- the suspects the place was built around the same time Gotham got its curse; seeing as it was overseeing the city and had enough natural ectoplasm in the air, he would suspect the curse affecting the town lead to here. He never cared to check.

No, rather Danny had some ghosts remodel the old building to include wiring and functioning plumbing but asked that the general overall of the mansion stay the same.

He sort of like pretending to be a Lord of the Oldden days. If anyone asked if he walked around acting out old romances of the Victorian era, that was not else business but his own.

Alvin was undoubtedly impressed when they pulled up to his house. Maybe it shouldn't have felt so prideful to have the handsome man be impressed with his mansion given the circumstances.

He seemed to accept the excuse of having been willed the house by his late grandfather. He just hoped Alvin didn't think him the same as his wealthy clients.

Speaking of, he better make the call before Alvin finished.

Stepping to his balcony, he pulled out his burner phone and pressed the speed dial five. There are four rings before the call connects.

He gets no greeting, but he's not expecting one. Danny looks over his shoulder to ensure the bathroom door is connected to the master room- his bedroom, where Alvin will be staying, seeing as it has a bigger fireplace. He needs to have them install a heating system. Danny never bothered, what with his ice core and all- before he spoke.

"Hey, Red Hood, it's Danny. I'm calling in that favor."

There is a long pause before the other man grunts. "What is it?"

"My friend is a pro whose pimp or johns have been abusing lately. Can you help me....take care of the issue? I don't want to overstep in his life, but I'm pretty sure they broke his check bone tonight, and he claimed to have had worse before." Danny sighs, his stomach overturning at what that could mean. He hasn't gone out as Ghost King to show those assholes a thing or two because this isn't his haunt.

It's Red Hood's.

Danny had met the other man when a rouge attack had busted up all the main highways he usually worked in and had no choice but to try to sell in Crime Alley. He was right off the territory's edge, freaking out about entering without the main ghost's permission, until Red Hood confronted him.

Danny's frantic fretting had been suspicious enough that the main honcho had gone to find out why he was so nervous.

They worked a deal where Danny would sell his ware in peace, and as long as he let kids eat for free, Red Hood had no quarrels with him. He even got a favor from the crime lord after Danny provided free meals to some of his men's families struggling to get food a few months back.

He also allowed Hood to use his house as a safe house to hide a few people who needed to be out of the city. Is he part of Red Hood's gang? No.

Is he an alley? Yes.

Danny had been saving the favor for such an occasion.

There is silence on Hood's side, so Danny goes in for the kill. "My friend is seventeen; in a few months, he'll be eighteen, but he said he has been doing this since he was younger."

The silence is now laced with malice. If there was one thing they both agreed on it was that kids were never meant to be hurt by the scum of the city. "Give me his name and the area he usually works in."

"Alvin Draper. He changes per night, but I've often seen him on the east side of Crime Alley."

"I'll look into it. Is Alvin safe?"

"Yeah, he's going to be staying with me tonight. Don't come by until I convince him to extend his stay." Danny knows Hood will understand. This is one of many pros to see the Zone- his mansion's name- as a sanctuary.

"That's fine. Can you get me a picture of Alvin?"

"No, he's too skimmish."

Hood grunts again, his voice coming out tired despite the voice monitor. "Kids always are. I'll have my boys find Alvin's primp and johns. Ensure there aren't any other younglings before they make them swim with the fish."

Danny almost falls over in relief. "Thank you. Alvin...Alvin means a lot to me."

" Don't mention it. Stay well, Victorian."

Victorian is the code name Hood has given him to ensure Danny isn't tired of his gang. Yes, it's because his house is a Victorian mansion, but Danny also likes to think it's cause the other man appreciates the aesthetics of his house a little too much.

He once caught Hood admiring his Pride and Prejudice hardcover book displayed in his green sitting room.

"You too Hood. And thank you."

How would he convince Alvin that his house was a better place to call home than the orphanage and street corners without coming off as a wannabe savior or hopelessly in love creep?

Danny pauses at his own train of thought.

Hopelessly in love? He thinks in shock as the bathroom door swings open, and out comes Alvin, dressed in Danny's extra pajama set. He offers Danny a shy smile; even with the injuries, it is the loveliest sight he's ever seen, and- oh no, Danny is in love with him.

"You up for a late-night snack?" He asks, trying to not show the world-shattering realization on his face, and Alvin's smile grows wider.

"You're going to make me fat." The other laughs. Danny's heart skips a beat.

Danny Fenton loves Alvin Draper and will do everything he can to protect him. Even if Alvin will hate him for it.

[robinsno1lesbian]

𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 - 𝐑.𝐁.

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: this doesn’t really need a summary but, for context, find my cowgirl robin fanfic here <3

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 18+ mature content! (MDNI), mention of alcohol, oral sex, vaginal fingering, strap-on sex, spit kink??, makeshift handcuffs, semi-public sex, let me know if i missed anything!

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: once again: save a horse, ride robin buckley. we are so back with some of my feral cowgirl robin thoughts. it’s been a hot minute but here we are! also: it’s @aylasology birthday!! happy birthday ayla, here are some cowgirl!robin thoughts fy! <3<3

𖤓 cowgirl!robin whose voice you’re obsessed with: low, raspy and with a thick southern accent. the way she will whisper her filthiest fantasies to you while she’s knuckle deep inside you? the way you sometimes tune out during casual conversation, losing track of what she’s saying just because of the sound of her voice?

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who can’t stop staring at you whenever she helps you get on a horse, her strong hands supporting you by holding your waist.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who praises you in that same raspy voice. “good girl”, “just like that”, “hmm, such a good job”

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who can’t keep her hands off of you and your body. whether it’s holding your hand, grabbing your hips or ass, or a rapping an arm around your shoulder.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who leaves visible marks on your body so everyone knows you’re hers.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who hugs you from behind and kisses your neck before shoving a hand down your pants.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who takes you to one of the local bars in the warm summer evenings. who buys you drinks all night, who watches you try to remain on the mechanical bull while wearing one of her hats. who drags you into the bathroom stall and fucks you up against the wall right there or makes you ride her thigh.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who loves to have your company while she’s working. and definitely not because of the way your eyes trace the shape of her outline, or because you can’t stop yourself from stroking her sweat stained muscles…

(𖤓 cowgirl!robin who does look a little too good whenever she’s working: with her flexed muscles, and stained body, panting heavily.)

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who wears a heavy belt almost all day. comes in handy when you can’t seem to keep your hands to yourself: she can easily tie you to the bed, wrap the leather belt around your wrists and have her way with you until you’re and overstimulated mess. “oh is that too much? too much when i touch you there? oh no? you want more? then why are you grinding against my hand like that, pretty girl?”

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who has a large collection of cowboy boots that you are obsessed with. especially ever since you were too impatient for her to finish work, so she made you get off on them. “such a desperate slut. tsk, tsk, tsk…well if you want it so badly” and, just like that, you found yourself on your knees for her, rutting against her boot. “come on, be a good girl and get yourself off for me”

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who gives you a necklace with a silver “R” charm. she loves how it looks on you, how it sits right between your collar bones, how it bounces when you’re riding her…

𖤓 speaking of which: riding cowgirl!robin in reversed cowgirl style, with your hands tied behind your back???? her hands holding your hips to guide you???

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who loves to see you in her clothes, whether it’s her boots, her flannels, her hats etc. she loves to wake up to you in nothing but one of those oversized shirts, buttons undone and your chest on display for her.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who takes you on late night drives in her truck that end up on her backseat, with her head buried between your thighs.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who makes you ride her strap while she shows you how to work the tractor. (“something wrong sugar? you’ve been real quiet…”)

𖤓 surprising cowgirl!robin in nothing but a set of lingerie and her hat after a long day of work???

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who loves nothing more than to see you choke on her strap. she loves the way you drool on it, the way your eyes roll back in your head when she pushes it just a little bit further down your throat. “god yes. fuck, look at you: taking it so well.”

𖤓 cowgirl!robin spitting on your cunt while she fucks it, letting her slick spit drip between your folds, using her fingers to push it inside.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who loves to hear you beg for it. literally every chance she can get to hear your pretty voice, begging her to fuck you, begging her to take you just a little harder, begging for your release.

𖤓 cowgirl!robin who is obsessed with your breasts. whether it’s sucking them while she’s fucking you or grabbing them with one hand while the other is shoved down your underwear.

𓃗𐚁🏜𖤓⋆｡° ✮

[javierpena-inatacvest]

Chapter 5: You're the One That I Want

Summary: You and Javi spend the day running errands when you encounter a few unexpected surprises. After returning back to your apartment, you both face the reality that your weekend together is coming to an end, hoping for more time together soon.

Word Count: 10.6K (I am so genuinely sorry, there's A LOT goin' on in this chapter.)

Warnings: SMUT (18+), unprotected P in V sex (don't be a fool, wrap your tool), vaginal fingering, creampie, car sex, semi-public sex, mentions of pregnancy/pregnancy scares, mentions of periods, mentions of food, sweet Javi being embarrassed about his past, Javi having it SO bad for you...Lorraine....

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who's liked and reblogged, this is my first ever fic that I've written and I'm so glad people are enjoying it!!! 🥺 This chapter has a lot that happens and I already had to split it up once (yikes on my part), excited to write about what these two crazy kids are up to next!!

Series Masterlist Next Chapter Previous Chapter

You rummaged through your drawers to pull out a pair of black biker shorts and a form fitting sage green tank top, knowing that a Laredo 80 degree day felt like a Chicago 95. You normally would have gone baggy, oversized t-shirt, but given your company, you decided to up your wardrobe choices. Javi leaned against your doorway, arms folded and jaw slack as he watched you get dressed. He had already spent the majority of the morning with you naked, yet something about you putting on more clothes made him half hard again. It didn’t help that you had purposefully picked a black, lacy thong and skimpier than usual sports bra to go under your outfit. You looked yourself over in the mirror before meeting Javi in the doorway. 

“Ready?” 

“You sure we have to go? You’re killin’ me dressed like that, Osita.” 

“Yes, we do, or I am going to die of starvation in my own home.” You pressed up on your tiptoes to give him a quick peck on the lips. 

You did one last check of your kitchen before grabbing your grocery list, purse and keys and slipping on your shoes by your front door. Javi followed suit, trailing behind you as you led your way down the stairs to the parking lot. It was only 11:00 AM, but the hot Texas sun was already beating down, radiating heat waves from the asphalt. Reaching the parking lot, you both unknowingly began walking in separate directions. “Okay, so I’m thinking I’ll probably do my non-food stops first and then we can go to the grocery store after so nothing bakes too much in the car. God is it always this hot? Does that work?” Silence. “Javi?” You turned around to find that Javi had gone in the complete opposite direction “Where are you going?!” You shouted.

“My car is parked over here? Where are you going?” 

“My car is parked over here” you pointed in the direction you were walking. 

“Let me drive.” 

“Do you think I’m not a good driver? Is it because I’m a woman? That’s a little sexist, don’t ya think?” 

“What?! No I never said that?” 

“Javi, I’m joking. I’m more than capable of driving.” 

“I know you are, but I’m offering.” 

You thought for a minute about pushing back again, but your boiling state in the blistering heat was a painful reminder you desperately needed to get your car AC fixed, and you weren’t going to subject Javi to burning alive with you. 

“Fine.” You said with a huff of defeat, changing directions and making your way back toward Javi. You got to his truck as he opened up the passenger door for you and you muttered under your breath. 

“And you think I’m the stubborn one.” 

“I heard that.” 

As Javi started his car, he pushed open the overhead compartment over the driver’s side to pull out a pair of yellow tinted aviators. It was truly unfair that this man found ways to keep getting hotter. The cool breeze from the AC hit your face as soft music played from the stereo.

“Where to first, Osita?” 

“Toy-R-Us.”

Javi raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“Not for me, dummy. My niece turns 5 in a few weeks and even though I’m not close by, I still want to get her a birthday present. It should be quick, I think I know what I want to get her. Then we can go grocery shopping.” 

Javi nodded in agreement as he backed out of his parking spot and you two hit the road. 

“Didn’t know that you were an Aunt.” 

“Yeah, my oldest brother, Charlie, has two little girls, 5 and 3, and he and his wife are expecting another one that’s due in November. Neither of my other brothers have kids. They’re the cutest. I miss them, don’t want Olivia to think I’m a deadbeat Aunt who forgot her birthday.” 

“My old DEA partner Steve and his wife have a daughter named Olivia. Maybe a little bit older than your niece. Been a while since I’ve caught up with him.” 

Javi could vividly remember the day he and Steve brought Olivia home to Connie, Steve’s wife. Crying and scared, Javi watching as they immediately wrapped little Olivia in their arms, showering her with love and affection. The 3 of them looked so perfect together, accepting the little girl into their family. While Javi congratulated them and told them he was happy Olivia would be in a safe home, he would never reveal the sting he felt knowing his chances of having what the Murphy’s did grew slimmer and slimmer with each day that passed in Colombia. 

Before he left, Javi had always hoped he’d have a family. He loved his parents so dearly, and wished that one day he could have a resemblance of what they did with the person he loved. His relationship with Lorraine had left him hurt and scorned, as he had almost gotten what he had wished for, but with a woman who couldn’t have cared less about him. By the time he left Colombia, he had written the idea off completely. He was tired. Broken. Scared by the things he had seen, worse yet, done. If he could barely keep himself together, how the hell was he supposed to have a family? He couldn’t imagine burdening someone else, let alone children, with the weight he carried with him. That was until 5 days ago on a Wednesday afternoon in late May. That was until he met you. 

“That’s nice that you still keep in touch with him.” You wanted to ask more, but for now, you would take any information you could get about his life before you. 

“Yeah, Steve’s a good guy. Pain in my ass, but meant well.” 

“You seem to attract a type.” 

“And what would that be?” 

“A pain in your ass.” 

Javi shook his head and chuckled. “You’re a lot cuter than Steve. Makes it a little easier to forgive you.” You playfully punched him, the two of you laughing softly to yourselves as Javi reached his free hand down to set it on the bare skin of your thigh. You sat quietly for a few moments, enjoying his thumb trace gently around your flesh. It was a surprisingly quick trip to the Toys-R-Us. Javi’s truck pulled into a parking spot as you began debriefing him on what you needed as you walked into the store. 

“Okay so when I talked on the phone with Olivia last week, she told me she really wants Polly Pockets. I’m just worried because the pieces are so small and I don’t want her sister to accidentally choke on them. I feel like a lot of the Kindergarteners really like those Sky Dancers but they always break. Her mom says she’s been into Pokémon cards but I feel like she’ll get bored of them.” 

“Poké-what? Osita, I have no idea what the hell any of that means.” 

“Right, sorry, I forgot not everyone spends the majority of their time with 8 year olds. This is all I hear about day in and day out, so I might as well put my knowledge to good use.” 

Javi followed you through the brightly colored aisles, stopping as you occasionally would pick up a toy to examine it and then put it back down. As you walked, you talked about your favorite toys from childhood, Javi’s being his collection of Hot Wheels cars that he was convinced his dad still had somewhere in the attic, yours being your Lite Brite because it was the only thing your brothers wouldn’t try to take from you. You continued your journey until you stopped at a brightly colored bear holding a marker. “This one is perfect. My class loves these Doodle Bears. The bear is cute, she can draw on it and wash it off, and Charlie isn’t gonna be pissed that it needs batteries or will take forever to set up. Perfect.” 

“Nice pick, Osita. Seems fitting.” 

“I keep forgetting that means bear. Guess it is fitting.” You giggled as you plucked the bear off the shelf and began heading back towards the front of the store to check out. As you walked side by side, Javi reached down to grab your hand and interlock his fingers with yours. Neither of you said anything, but you didn’t need to. The smile on both of your faces said everything. 

You made your way to the checkout lines, the store being fairly busy for a Sunday Afternoon. You settled on what seemed to be the shortest one, with only a mom, her husband and two little boys in front of you. 

“TYLER  AND SAMUEL DOOGAN, I SWEAR IF YOU DO NOT STOP CLIMBIN’ ALL OVER THIS CART THIS INSTANT, I WILL TAKE AWAY ALL OF YOUR POKÉMON CARDS FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMER.” You could feel the frustration radiating from the petite woman in front of you without even seeing her face. She turned around to face her husband standing behind her, reading a video game magazine, completely oblivious to his children’s antics. “Randy, can you please just tell them to get off? BOYS, ENOUGH.” 

“Yeah, sure honey… Boys, you heard your mother, get down.” Randy muttered, not bothering to take his eyes off the magazine or even attempt to sound convincing. 

You said nothing, knowing all too well how big of a pain kids could be, but when you turned up to look at Javi, his face had gone ghost white. 

“Oh, fuck…” He muttered under his breath, just barely loud enough for you to hear. 

“You okay?” 

“Uh yeah, um-” His eyes darted frantically back and forth across the checkout aisles. “Um, it looks like there’s a shorter line over-” 

“Javi?” The woman’s Texan twang spoke to him with an unsettling sense of familiarity. 

“Hi, Lorraine.” 

Oh shit. The wires in your brain clicked as you remember your co-workers mentioning their disdain for this woman. You still weren’t quite sure of her connection to Javi, but given his drained face and her snappy demeanor, you had a feeling this woman was bad news. 

“Heard you’re back for good. How are things?” 

“Uh, yeah. They’re fine. How about you?” You could practically feel the tension in Javi’s body. 

“Fine. TYLER I SWEAR TO GOD.” She whipped her head around once again to yell at the fidgety boy. 

“Randy, you remember Javi.” 

Randy and Javi said nothing to each other and only exchanged painful grimaces, acknowledging the uncomfortable circumstance they found themselves in. 

“What the hell you doin’ at a Toys-R-Us?” 

You piped in, trying to give Javi any relief you could. “It’s um, my niece’s birthday. Just going shopping to get her something.” 

“And you are?” 

Stunned by her bluntness, you found yourself speechless. “Oh, um, I’m um-” 

“She’s my girlfriend.” 

His what?! 

Javi gave your hand a reassuring squeeze. This trip was definitely not going as expected. 

“Ah.” Her cold gaze met your shock. “Just be careful with this one.” 

“Lorraine…” 

“Fine, I won’t say anything else. Just figured she deserved a warning.” 

“Lorraine, enough.” You had never heard his voice get that stern. Whatever had gone on between them had definitely not ended on good terms. “Looks like you got what you wanted anyways.” He gestured to the two boys now running wild up and down the checkout line, and Randy absent mindedly staring into his magazine. 

If Lorraine’s looks could kill, Javi would be a dead man. Her brow scrunched deeper in anger. “Well, good to see you Javi.” She snapped back around as she picked up the bags at the end of the checkout aisle and grabbed both boys by the back of their shirts. “RANDY! Let’s go!” Finally coming to, Randy meandered behind, following Lorraine and the two squirming boys in her grasp. 

“Fuck me…” Javi whispered to himself, running both of his hands over his face. 

“Next in line!” 

You checked out silently, figuring waiting to get back to the car was a better place to discuss what the hell just happened. The only thing breaking the dead silence on the way back to the truck was the occasional grunt or heavy sigh from Javi. You both took your perspective seats in the car as he started the engine. 

“Soooooo… I’m not one to pry, but uh, what happened back there?” 

“Fuck, Osita, I’m so sorry.” His fists were basically white knuckling the steering wheel at this point. 

“Javi, why are you sorry?” 

“Just- fuck. Her and how she talked to you, you shouldn’t have to deal with that.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, she seemed delightful.” Javi stared at the roof of his car, breathing deeply. Jokes weren’t going to help the situation. You reached out to grab his arm, causing him to shift his gaze at you. “Javi, like I said, I don’t want to pry, but I promise, whatever you tell me, I’m not gonna judge you for it. I get that shit happens, and it obviously seems like Lorraine isn’t the nicest, I’m sure there’s a good reason for whatever happened between you two. 

He let out a few deep breaths, formulating his response. “It’s a long story.” 

“I’ve got plenty of time.” 

You grabbed his arm a little tighter, hoping that your sympathetic stare was enough to prove that you weren’t here to judge him for his past. 

“Okay. Are you hungry? Do you wanna get lunch and talk about it?” 

“I can always eat. What’d you have in mind?” 

“There’s a sandwich place a few minutes from here. Been going there a lot since I started the new job. It’s pretty good. Does that work?” 

“Love me a good sandwich. Sounds great, Javi.” 

He nodded as you gave his muscles one more squeeze before letting him go so he could back out of his parking spot. You waited until he was back on the road to bring up the other no so subtle bomb that had just been dropped. 

“Girlfriend, huh?” 

A smile finally made its way back to his face. 

“Uh, yeah. If uh, if that’s something you want. I know it’s um, kinda fast, but I really like you Osita.” 

“I don’t know, I just really want to spend all my time hanging out with this super hot dude who’s sweet and funny and is the best sex I’ve ever had… but him being my boyfriend… I’m not sure…” you giggled and smirked at him. 

“Best sex you’ve ever had, huh?” He smirked back at you and raised his eyebrows. 

“Don’t let it go to your head too much.” You rolled your eyes and shrugged at him. “I really like you too, Javi. I would love to be your girlfriend.” 

Both your faces spread wide with childish grins as you reached over to grab Javi’s hand and intertwine it with yours. Girlfriend. It had a nice ring to it. 

Pulling into the small parking lot of Alejandro’s Deli and Sandwiches, you released your hand from his to cup his face, kissing him long and intensely. 

“You ready, boyfriend?” Putting an extra emphasis on the last word. 

“Yes, let’s go, you dork.” 

The shop was small and well loved, and was clearly a favorite in the area. Past the deli counter were a few small sets of tables and chairs, where people were scattered about enjoying their food. As you waited in line and stared at the menu board, Javi’s hand never left yours. 

“What are you thinking of getting?” Javi could clearly tell you were having a hard time deciding as the line continued to move forward. 

“You’re the sandwich expert here, what do you normally get?” 

“Either the club or the roast beef. Everyone says the BLT is good too.” 

“Winner, winner, BLT dinner. I was trying to decide between that one and the Italian, but a BLT sounds SO good right now.” 

“Do you want to go grab a table for us while I order? It gets busy here and there’s an open spot in the back corner.” 

“Sure!” You let go of his hand to begin rummaging through your purse. 

“What are you doing?” 

“Looking through my purse for the other BLT I had stored in here. I’m getting money so I can pay for my sandwich.” 

“You’re not paying for the sandwich.” 

“Let me pay for it!” 

“You’re not paying for it.” 

“Ugh, Javier Peña, don’t deny that you are just as stubborn as I am. Fine, thank you for the sandwich.” 

You sat your things down in the windowsill next to the corner in the back of the shop as you waited for Javi to join you. You looked around to see cute photos of what you assumed was Alejandro’s family, a man eating a sandwich as long as him, and 3 kids chasing a dog who had stolen their lunch. Javi returned quickly with your orders, plus a bag of chips and a chocolate chip cookie. “Chips and a cookie? A man after my own heart. Thank you again, this place is super cute!” 

“Yeah the guys at the station suggested my first day because my dumbass forgot my lunch.” 

You took a big bite of your sandwich as Javi spoke. “Well it’s a 10 out of 10 suggestion, this is the best sandwich I have had in so long.” You took a few more bites before working up the courage to bring up the reason you were eating sandwiches in the first place. “So… Lorraine.” 

Javi wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a heavy sigh before he spoke. “Yeah… Lorraine.” 

You reached across the table to grab his hand. “Javi, like I said before, I’m not here to judge. I get that things happen. I promise, it’s not gonna make me think any less of you.” 

“How do you know that?” 

“Because I know you’re a good person.” 

Fuck. That one hit Javi in a way that he wasn’t sure how to feel. In his heart, he had convinced himself that he was the exact opposite. He wasn’t a good person. He didn’t deserve to have people think he was. He wasn’t a hero, he wasn’t someone that people should celebrate. A good person was the last thing he considered himself to be. But here you were. He has let you in to see the glimpses of his past and it only made you want him more. You wanted to be his girlfriend. You wanted to be with him. Despite the things he had done, and the person he so desperately wanted to separate himself from. You cared about him. 

“You really want the whole story?” 

“I have a full belly, handsome man to stare at while I listen, and all the time in the world. Yes. Full story.” 

With a deep breath, Javi began to explain how he had met Lorraine in high school. On a dare from his friends, he asked Lorraine to prom after she had broken up with her all star quarterback boyfriend, and desperate not to go to her Senior year dance alone, she said yes. Things were never really great between them, Javi admitted they were young, stupid and horny, and when it was time for them to leave for different colleges, he had tried to put an end to things. That didn’t stop her from calling Javi every time she was at Texas A&M to visit friends to hook up with him and fuck with his head enough to make him reconsider things, until she left again, leaving him feeling dejected and empty. This went on until they both found themselves back in Laredo after graduating college, Javi working on his family ranch while applying for various law enforcement jobs and Lorraine working at her aunt’s flower shop. Now both back in the same place, Lorraine had approached Javi about wanting to try things again. He didn’t love the idea, but it didn’t stop them from hooking up in the back of his truck after he took her out for dinner a few days later. 

A few weeks went by and Javi didn’t hear much from Lorraine, until one day he got a frantic phone call telling him to meet her as soon as possible. Once they were together, Javi found Lorraine crying in the diner parking lot she chose to have him meet at, and their conversation went a little like this: 

“Lorraine, what’s wrong?” 

“I missed my period. It’s two weeks late.” 

“Fuck. How? We used a condom, right?” 

“Yes. I don’t know Javi, apparently it can still happen.” 

“Fuck me. Shit, um, okay. Okay, fuck. What do you want to do?” 

“I don’t want all of Laredo to know that you knocked me up on a one night stand. God dammit, Javi, I don’t know? It doesn't look as bad if we were engaged or married, or something!” 

“Married?! Lorraine…” 

“Do you have a better idea?” 

He didn’t. And in that moment, he panicked. How could he not? There was nothing less he wanted than to spend the rest of his life with Lorraine, let alone have a child with her. But he wasn’t going to leave this baby without a father and felt so awful about what he had done to Lorraine. He drove home that night, tears streaming down his face as he tried to come to grips with his fate. 

The next two months were a whirlwind, Lorraine trying to plan the wedding as fast as possible to avoid any suspicions of looking pregnant. Flowers, catering, decorations, terrible, uncomfortable suits, Javi hated every moment of it. He was miserable. His parents knew something wasn’t right, despite Javi’s efforts to convince them otherwise. They never cared much for Lorraine to begin with, and the unfortunate circumstances weren’t helping. 

A week before the wedding, Javi received a phone call, which to his relief, wasn’t Lorraine. It was a call from a secretary at the DEA office in Texas, asking if Javi wanted to come in and interview for a position. It was the first shred of hope he had felt in months, gladly offering to come in the next day. The interview went so well, the hiring agents offered him the position on the spot. There was only one catch. He was going to be stationed in Colombia, and he needed to leave by the end of the month. When he left, he thanked the team for their time, and told him that he would think about it. Everything in his body wanted to scream “I’ll leave right now, please, anything to get me out of the hell that I’m currently living in!” But he knew he needed to think about it first before he just up and left. 

His brain stewed over his possibilities for the next few days, leaving him more absent minded about his impending wedding, even though it was less than a week away. The night before his big day, he couldn’t have felt worse. Lorraine had called him to come over and finish up last minute plans before the day came, and begrudgingly, Javi was at her house, listening to her frantically list of things that needed to happen before tomorrow. Javi didn’t hear a single word that came out of her mouth, and excused himself to go to her bathroom to try and get a moment of peace. After washing his hands, he looked down at the trash can next to the vanity. The next thing he knew, he was carrying the waste basket to Lorraine, using every last ounce of self restraint he had not to completely lose it. 

“Lorraine.” 

“What?” 

“What the fuck is this?” He held up the waste basket, his hands shaking. 

“What the fuck are you talking about, Javi?” 

“You know exactly what the fuck I’m talking about Lorraine. Why the fuck is your trashcan filled with tampon wrappers and a fucking negative pregnancy test?!” 

She sat in silence. 

“Lorraine, fucking answer me!” 

“My period started last week.” 

“And you weren’t going to tell me?!”

“Javi, the wedding is less than a week away!” 

“Lorraine, that was the whole fucking reason we were doing this in the first place! What did you expect, for me just to not notice when you didn’t have a kid 7 months from now?! Jesus Fucking Christ.” 

“What did you want me to do, Javi?! I can’t just call off the wedding, my parents paid a lot of money for this, there are people coming from all over! It would be embarrassing!” 

“I can’t fucking believe this. You were actually going to go through with this and didn’t even care if you told me that you weren’t really pregnant. Unbelievable.” Slamming the trashcan down on the ground, Javi stormed out the door. 

“Javi, wait!” 

“Fuck you, Lorraine.” 

There was no use trying to deny it anymore. When Javi came home, he broke down to his parents what had happened and how this whole mess had begun in the first place. She wasn’t pregnant, he didn’t want to marry her, he wanted to get as far away as possible from the wake of destruction he had left in his past. He practically begged his parents to drop him off at the airport, wanting to leave as soon as he could. As much as his parents hated to see him go, they couldn’t contribute to the pain and guilt their son already felt. That night was spent calling the DEA to accept the position, packing everything Javi could fit in a suitcase and hugging his mom and dad tightly as he said his goodbyes and got ready to board the next plane to Colombia. The next day, Lorraine was so busy preparing herself and getting ready for the wedding, making sure everyone knew the day revolved around her, that she had no idea Javi was already on a plane across the country. It wasn’t until all of the guests were seated and waiting in the pews of the church that they had figured out Javi was gone. 

Lorraine had obviously come to some peace about it, hearing through the phone calls with his parents that 8 months later she was engaged to some guy named Randy who had some big wig job in finance. He had been home not too long ago, HR mandating that he had to use some of his PTO days he refused to take, to attend a wedding of one of his dad’s cousins, where he saw Lorraine for the first time since he had left her at the alter. She had been nicer to Javi then, perhaps taking pity on the fact that he looked so sad and desperate as he tried to talk with her. There must have been something about seeing Javi happy with another woman that absolutely set her ablaze, leaving you in the wake of the mess that was Lorraine Doogan. 

Javi finished his story with a deep breath and another run of his hand across his face. 

“Javi, holy shit.” 

“You ready to take back that ‘you’re a good person’ comment yet?” 

One hand reached up to cup the side of his strong jaw, while the other grabbed his hand resting on the table that had been curled up in a fist the entirety of telling his story. “Javi, what are you talking about? Of course not. What Lorraine did you was so fucked up, trying to trap you into marrying her with an imaginary baby because she was too embarrassed to say otherwise? I’m so sorry that happened to you, Javi.” 

His only response was a half forced smile, his eyes still staring down at the table. 

“If it makes you feel any better, her kids are absolute assholes- I know it’s mean to say that about a kid, but it’s true. They go to my school and they’re in the office every day getting yelled at for doing something stupid. To be honest, I kind of think you dodged a bullet on that one.” His face perked up a little more, letting out a small huff of laughter. You pushed his chin up, forcing him to look at you. 

“Javier Peña, look at me.” You could almost see the guilt and sadness welling in his eyes. “I do not think you are a terrible person. I promise. Thank you for telling me about this, I’m glad you trust me enough to let me know.” You leaned across the small table between you to give him a kiss. 

“Thanks, Osita.” 

“There’s nothing to thank me for. I’m here to listen whenever you want to talk. Whaddya say we go get the rest of these groceries so we can head back?” 

You gathered the remains of your lunch to throw away, taking the unopened bag of chips to go as you buckled back in for your final destination. The grocery store was in the complete opposite direction of your current location, so you began shuffling through the CD compartment in his glove box to try and pick out some music to lighten the mood for your drive. 

“Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers… The Grease Soundtrack?! You are a man of many different tastes, Mr. Peña.” 

“Okay, the Grease one Steve gave to me as a joke one year for my birthday.” 

“And yet, here it is in your car. That means you had to take it all the way back from Colombia with you, unpack it, AND put it in here.” You waved the CD around in your hands, mockingly. 

“...Some of the songs are kind of catchy.” 

“I knew it!” You popped the CD out of its case and into the radio. “What song do you want?” 

“I don’t really know the names of any of them…” 

You crossed your arms and smirked at him, knowing sooner or later, he'd give you a response. 

“.... You’re The One That I Want.” Javi admittedly defeated. 

“Don’t know any of the names, my ass.” You laughed to yourself as you skipped several tracks ahead to Javi’s song selection. 

You turned the volume up as you let the music play through John Travolta’s verse, curious to see if you could catch Javi singing along. By the time you were at Olivia Newton-John’s part, you had bursted into full out song, Javi snickering to himself watching your theatrics. 

“You better shape up, ‘cause I need a man. And my heart is set on youuuuuuuuu!” You continued your performance through your laughing and dancing. It didn’t take long for you to spy out of the corner of your eye, Javi beginning to mouth the words to himself. You had already teased him enough about his enjoyment of the song that you weren’t about to say a single thing as he sang along. It warmed your heart to see Javi bring down his guard, letting you further and further into the world he lived in. Even if all it was, was singing together in his car. As the song ended, Javi turned down the music, his face suddenly becoming more serious. 

“If you ever meet Steve, you have to swear to me you’ll never tell him about this. He will never let me live it down.” 

“I’m not sure… I know very little about Steve, but the thought of how much shit he’d give you for your deep, dark, Grease secret does sound entertaining.” 

Javi’s mood now having done a complete 180 from your last drive to the sandwich shop, you both headed into the grocery store happy and ready for the last part of your errands. Grabbing a cart, you headed through the produce section, starting with fruits. 

“Okay, list says I need apples, bananas, blueberries and maybe strawberries if they’re good.” You both casually strolled, Javi reaching for the items from your list closest to you and putting them into your cart as you continued on your journey. You made your way through vegetables next, Javi very explicitly stating his distaste for the carrot sticks you had on your list. 

“They’re so crunchy and bland, and they just remind me of feeding the horses.” 

“You have horses at your ranch?” 

“Yup, a few of them. Some of our family keeps their horses there, but Pops and I take care of them all.” 

“That’s so cool! Do you have any other animals there?” 

“Cows and sheep mostly. Some random chickens that we can’t seem to get rid of.” 

“That’s amazing. The reason I chose Laredo to move to is because my best friend from elementary school moved down here when we were in high school, and I would visit her family every summer on their ranch. She always made fun of me for how it seemed like I was always more excited to see the animals than her.”  

“You can come over to the ranch and see the animals if you want.” 

“Really?!” 

“Any time, Osita.” 

You threw another bag of carrots into your cart. “If I want these horses to like me, I gotta bribe them with something!” Javi laughed, picking the bag up and putting it back with the other carrots. 

“Baby, we have plenty of carrots at the ranch. I’m not eating any extras you get.” 

You breezed through the rest of your trip, quickly filling up your cart as you and Javi talked more about his ranch, any other foods that fell into the same category as carrots (you were thankful that you both collectively agreed that olives belonged in the same realm), and made fun of you as you put the largest sized vanilla coffee creamer in with the rest of your items. Your checkout line experience was much more pleasant than the one you had experienced a few hours ago. Javi knew the older, frail man working the register, greeting him politely. 

“Hi Mr. Garcia, how are you?” 

“Javier Peña. Good to see you son. I heard from Chucho you ditched him at the ranch for a new job at the sheriff’s department.” 

“I don’t know if ditch is the right word, still try to help out while I can.” 

Polite smiles were exchanged as you continued to load items from your cart onto the conveyor belt. 

“I don’t think I’ve met your wife before.” Mr. Garcia now looking at you. Javi just about dropped the carton of eggs he was carrying before responding. Part of him almost didn’t even want to correct it. 

“Uh, no, um, girlfriend.” 

“Well, she’s a cutie.” Mr. Garcia winked at you before you raised your eyebrows to smirk at a now very flustered and embarrassed Javi. 

“I don’t know, Jav. Looks like you’ve got some competition. Mr. Garcia seems like a real catch.” You playfully winked back at him, causing the old man to rumble with laughter. 

“And funny too.” 

You loaded the bags back into your cart and paid for your groceries. As you were sorting, you overhead the two men talking. 

“She’s a keeper, Javier.” 

“Yeah, she is.” 

Now a little louder, Mr. Garcia helped you load the last bag into your cart before saying goodbye. “Nice to see you Javi. Nice to meet you too, sweetheart.” 

“Thanks Mr. Garcia, have a nice day!” 

You began loading your items into Javi’s trunk, watching as his biceps flexed deliciously as he lifted the bags up to put them away. You really had to convince yourself to focus on putting the rest of your groceries away. 

Your errands done for the day, you and Javi began the drive back to your apartment. It hadn’t hit you until you looked at the clock radio in his car that it was already 5 o’clock, and that your time with Javi was starting to dwindle, considering the fact that both of you had to work the next day. You glanced at him as he was driving, aviators propped on his face, the tanned skin of his chest exposed from the buttons he seemed to hate having done up, his arms grasping the steering wheel. The image of him made your heart race. Wanting to make sure you capitalized on your time, and realizing now you had zero self control, you were tempted to ask him to pull over his truck right then and there. No, you can make it until you get home, you horny idiot. You thought to yourself, knowing how pissed you would be if you ruined your groceries all because you couldn’t control yourself for a few more minutes. Subconsciously, you licked around your bottom lip, staring at the gorgeous man next to you. 

“Hermosa?” 

“Huh, what? Did you say something?” You shook your head to bring yourself back to reality. 

“I asked if we needed to stop anywhere before we went back to your apartment.” 

“Oh, no. I, uh, I don’t need anything else, sorry.” 

“Something on your mind?” Javi prodded, noticing that you hadn’t fully been paying attention. 

“No, nothing, I’m good.” He spotted the lie instantly. Grasping around the exposed meat of your thigh he gave it a squeeze before sliding his hand further up your leg. 

“Sure you don’t have anything on your mind?” His hand now at your hip, fingers dancing along the hem of your shorts, grazing your skin. He knew exactly what he was doing. Your breathing sped up as you let a gulp fall down your throat. At this point, you were only 5 minutes away from your apartment, but you were absolutely positive you were not going to make it that long. Fuck it, your groceries would be fine, right? 

“Pull over.” 

Thankful for the long stretches of dirt roads and pockets of abandoned buildings on your way back to your apartment, Javi quickly pulled off to an empty parking lot of a closed down store. You were practically jumping into his lap by the time he had put the car in park. Mouths and tongues clashed as you pulled yourselves into one another. Your kissing reflected the sexual tension that had quickly built up in the truck only minutes ago as you frantically moved about. Feeling how worked up you were already, you sought to seek some form of relief by grinding down on the seam of Javi’s jeans, relieving some of the ache between your legs. Javi grabbed your hips, his fingers digging into the outside of your shorts as he pushed you down into him. He reciprocated the motion, pushing himself up into you, no better than two horny teenagers dry humping in the secret of their parent’s basement. Javi kissed your neck before the tickle of his mustache crept near your ear. 

“So needy, baby. Couldn’t wait ‘till we got back, huh?” 

In between your mouths meeting you were able to break away for a few moments to respond. 

“Well if my boyfriend wasn’t so fucking hot it would have made it a lot easier. I want you so bad Javi.” 

Just like that, Javi had you stripped down to your bra, practically ripping your tank top off you. You helped him shuffle down your shorts and thong, taking a moment to smack it against your ass before it looked around your ankles. His hand reached down to palm around your pussy, already wet from the short time you had spent grinding into his lap. He ran his fingers up and down the length of your folds, collecting your slick before dipping inside of you. 

“Fuck Hermosa, always so wet for me. Want me to cum inside you like I did this morning? Fill you up? 

Before you could answer, his thumb began a frantic pace against your clit to match the pace his fingers pumped in and out of you. He pulled his face closer into your breasts, kissing around them and sucking on your pebbled nipples. Your hips grinded down on his hand, pushing his fingers deeper in you. You tilted your head back and moaned in pleasure. His fingers continued in and out, hitting the spongy spot deep inside you that made you feel like you were about to come undone. That, matched with his calloused thumb rubbing against your bundle of nerves had you on the edge of collapse.

 “Javi, fuck, fuck I’m almost there, I’m gonna-“ 

You felt the coil in your belly snap suddenly, as pleasure ran though you with a sheer intensity. Your hips came to a stop as you slumped into his body, breathing heavily. Your head rested in the crook of his neck as he whispered to you. 

“Such a good fucking girl. Always taking me so well.” 

As he watched you come down from your high, he gently pushed you further down his lap to undo his belt buckle and slide down his pants and boxers just low enough to let his already hard cock spring to its release. You scooted yourself further up again, licking your palm to wrap around Javi’s girth, stroking him a few times before raising your hips up to slowly sink down on his length. You gasped at the sweet sting of his size inside you, taking your time to adjust, lowering down on to him inch by inch. You both moaned as you bottomed out on him and you began to move yourself up and down, feeling him repeatedly filling you and hitting that incredible spot inside you. Javi wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer to his chest as you sped up the intensity of your movements. Your clit rubbed against the jeans scrunched around his thighs as he began to lift his hips up into you. 

“You feel so good, baby. Feels so good so deep in me, fuck.” 

Javi watched you, awe struck as you continued to ride him, your boobs bouncing with each thrust, and head thrown back in pleasure as you bit down on your bottom lip. 

“Jesus, you’re perfect, Hermosa. So tight and wet, so fucking sexy. 

There was something about the low rasp of his voice singing your praises that absolutely made you lose your mind. The pace you now found both yourselves moving at was becoming fast and sloppy, so enthralled by each other, you could have cared less about the steering wheel digging into your back. You were filled by his deep, hard strokes, his dick repeatedly filling you and hitting you in a way that made your muscles begin to tense. Your fingers dug into his shoulders as he reached beneath you to rub your clit. The tension spread through your body, your orgasm making you scream in delight. The pulsing of your pussy squeezed around Javi’s cock, practically sending him over the edge with you. 

“Javi, holy fuck. I want you to come, baby. I want you to come inside me. It’s all yours.

Yours. You were all his. Your words sent him over the edge, knowing that he was the only one you wanted to be with. The only one to please you. The only one to make his mark inside of you. Only a few strokes more and Javi hit his high, letting out a low whimper as he felt himself release inside your warm, tight walls. His dick pulsed as his seed spilled into, leaving you two slumped into each other, breathless. A few moments after you both came to, you finally felt the wet spot you had left over Javi’s jeans, a mix of the two of you staining the denim. 

“Fuck, Javi, I’m sorry, I fucking ruined your jeans.” 

“They’re just jeans, Osita. Besides, it was fucking hot.” 

You could see the dark pools of his eyes growing darker with lust as he reached down to the inside of your thigh, dripping with the combination of your release. 

“Will you keep me inside you, baby? Keep you inside me so you know that you’re mine even when I have to leave?” 

“Fuck, yes.” 

Fuck. His request filled you with joy and hurt at the same time. You were his. Fucking his. At the same time, the thought of having come back to reality after the fantasy you had been living in the past 24 hours stung. 

“I don’t want you to have to leave.” Shit, was that too needy? He had just spent the whole day with you. The little voice in the back of your head screamed at you again. Don’t get too ahead of yourself. 

“I don’t want to have to leave either, Osita. I’m not going yet, I’ll hang out as long as I can. Would be a lot easier if we didn’t have to go to work tomorrow.” 

“Okay.” Phew. “I don’t mean to ruin this super sweet and sexy moment, but do you think you can take your dick out of me so my groceries don’t go bad?” 

You both laughed, Javi complying to your request as you shuffled off of his lap into the passenger seat, shimmying your clothes back on. He scooted his jeans back over him, tucking himself back in before doing up his belt buckle. 

The trip back to your apartment was  embarrassingly short, given that you couldn’t have made it approximately 4 more minutes before arriving back. Javi helped you gather your things, making fun of the thought of you trying to carry all your grocery bags up in one trip, you convincing him that you really could do it, if it was a smaller trip. Javi was very impressed with your organization as you put everything away in its exact spot, making unloading the groceries much quicker than expected. After you had finished, you looked back at Javi leaning against the counter. 

“Javi, that stain on your jeans looks like you peed yourself, I feel really bad. Do you want me to wash them for you? I don't want you to have to carry evidence from the scene of the crime back home with you. I have laundry I have to do anyway, it’s no big deal at all.” 

“That would probably be a good idea. Are you trying to get me to stay longer by holding my pants hostage in the wash?” You outstretched your hand. 

“Guilty, your honor. Pants me, Peña.” 

Another reason you had chosen your apartment was the in unit washer and dryer. The pain of having to haul your laundry from your 11th floor Chicago apartment down to a basement that looked like it was straight out of a horror movie was one of your least favorite chores, so having the ability to clean your clothes from the comfort of your room was a plus. 

Javi undid his belt and slid both his pants and underwear down to the floor, leaving his bottom half very blatantly naked. 

“Oh shit, I forgot you didn’t have any other pants.” 

“Also part of your plan?” 

“Surprisingly, no. Oh, I actually think I have a pair of my brother’s shorts that accidentally got packed away with my stuff when I moved!” 

“I don’t mind.” 

“Don’t mind oing full Winnie the Pooh until your pants are clean? Javi, believe me, I am not mad about this.” you gestured to his crotch. “The problem is, if your dick keeps staring at me like that, I will literally get nothing done the rest of the day, and I have to at least try a LITTLE bit to be productive.” 

“Fair enough.” He waited as you shuffled through your drawers to find an old pair of gray cotton shorts, bringing them out and tossing them to him as you grabbed your hamper, made your way to the laundry room, and filled up your washer with your dirty clothes and Javi’s pants. After you had started up the wash cycle, you made your way back to the kitchen, where Javi was still standing, now covered by the shorts you had given him. 

“God dammit, Javi.” 

“What?” His face surprised as you came back into the kitchen. 

“I think the shorts are making it worse.” 

“What worse?” 

“You might as well be naked, cause I can see… Well let’s just say that there’s very little left to the imagination and I will be using every ounce of willpower to keep myself from crawling all over you. Do you realize how hot you are? It’s truly not fair. Okay, let me just stare at you for one more second and then I can move on.” You crossed your arms as you looked Javi up and down while he chuckled to himself. 

“You good?” He laughed. 

“Good now.” You giggled, taking one more long look. 

“What else do you want to get done tonight?” 

“Well normally on Sunday I do laundry and just get ready for the week, make food, stuff like that. It makes it so much better, one, having you here, even though you’re making the getting things done part more challenging, and two because it’s finally the last week of school and the last time I have to do this again until August.” 

“When’s your last day of school?” 

“Thursday. Only 4 more days, even though it feels like it's going to be 154.” 

“Are you doing anything on Thursday?” 

“Besides collapsing into a pile from the relief that the school year is done, no. Why?” 

“Can I take you out to celebrate your last day of school?” 

You blushed. It shocked you how genuinely thoughtful Javi was. Or maybe, you had grown to accept your significant others not having any interest in you at all. There was one summer where it was the middle of July and Paul had asked you why you hadn’t been going into work, like he had literally forgotten what you did for a living, let alone take you out to celebrate it. 

“Are you asking me on a date, Javi?” You teased, playfully. 

He blushed too. “Yeah, if that’s okay.” 

“Of course it is. That’s really sweet of you. What do you have in mind?” 

“I was thinking about dinner and a movie? Since you seem to enjoy giving me such a hard time about the lack of movies I’m caught up on.” 

“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate.” You leaned into him wrapping your arms around his neck and standing on your tiptoes to kiss him. “I really want to see you before, but the end of the school year is absolutely insane, and there’s school events every night this week.” 

“It’s okay, I remember how stressed my mom would be at the end of the year. The last week of school, my mom would tell me and my dad “Por favor. No me hables hasta los niños estan libres.” 

“What does that mean?” 

“Please don’t talk to me until the children are free.” 

“Your mom hit the nail on the head with that one. Well I’m really excited for Thursday, thanks Javi.”

“Me too, Osita.” 

You stared at each other for a moment in silence, taking the other in. Javi’s hand released itself from your waist to brush away hair from your face before cupping the side of your jaw to kiss you. Your heart sped up anytime Javi’s lips met yours, but there was something about this kiss that felt different. It was sweet. Tender. Gentle. The kind of kiss that screamed I’m so lucky you’re mine without saying a word. A kiss you hoped you’d never had to live without. 

“I like you a lot, Javi.” 

“I like you a lot too, Osita.” 

“Sooooo, I have at least another hour and a half of keeping your pants hostage, and we clearly need to get you up to speed on your movie knowledge before Thursday, do you want to pick something out to watch?” 

“Didn’t you say you had things you wanted to get done?” He raised an eyebrow at you. 

“Yeah, well, those can be tomorrow's problems. Go pick out a movie you haven’t seen yet and now that I have real food, I’ll go get some snacks for us while we watch!” 

“Sounds like a great plan.” He kissed the top of your head as you parted ways. You went to the kitchen to microwave a bag of popcorn while Javi spent a long time very intently staring at the VHS collection below your TV. You returned with a big bowl filled to the brim, curious to see what Javi’s pick would end up being. “Alright, I’m excited to see what we get to watch tonight!” You set the bowls down on the table at the end of your couch, unfolding one of the fluffy blankets you had draped over the end. 

“I have a feeling you’re gonna be happy we’re watching it, but not happy about the fact I picked it.” He took the VHS from behind his back and placed it on your lap. 

“NO. JAVI. YOU’VE NEVER SEEN STAR WARS?!” 

“No…” 

“SERIOUSLY?” 

“Technically I did see it once when I was in high school but I don’t remember anything about it because I took a girl on a date to go see it and we just sat in the back of the theater and made out the whole time.” 

“Romantic. Hate to break it to you, that will not be happening tonight if we’re watching this.” You patted the seat next to you on the couch, ushering him to go sit down as you pushed in the tape and pressed play. “I know I said Indiana Jones was my favorite movie but I actually think I lied. It’s 100% Star Wars.” 

Without hesitation, you curled up next to Javi resting your head into his shoulder, his arm wrapping around you and pulling you in closer as the theme music for the opening credits began blaring through your speakers. As the movie started, you could tell Javi was trying his hardest to watch intently, asking the occasional question to make sure he understood what was happening. 

“Why do the tiny people in the robes have no faces and yellow eyes? Are they supposed to be bad guys? They’re not very scary.” 

“They’re Jawwas, Javi. They’re little sand creatures that collect scrap parts and sell them. They’re not really good or bad, they just kind of hang out on Tatooine.” 

“Jesus, you’re a bigger nerd than I thought.” 

“Just shhhh and watch the movie.” You lovingly gave Javi a shove as he snickered. 

As the movie continued, the two of you found yourselves sinking further and further into the couch, Javi now laying flat on his back, head propped against the pillows, and you on top of him, head propped on his chest. One of his arms rested on top of your back, tracing back and forth along your shoulders, the other demolishing handfuls of popcorn from the bowl he had found next to him. Javi definitely didn’t strike you as someone who would be much of a cuddler, but in the short time you had spent with him, you quickly realized this man wanted to be touching you in some way, shape or form at all times. He may have looked tough, but this man was a big ole softie. Right around the point where Luke, Han and Chewie were making their way to break Princess Leia out of her cell, you pushed yourself up off of Javi with a quick kiss. 

“Hey wait, where are you going? It’s getting really good!” He grabbed your hand, almost pleading with his puppy dog eyes for you to stay on the couch with him. 

“I just have to go change the laundry to the dryer really quick, unless you wanna go home in wet denim. Also apparently get more popcorn “Mr. No I’m not that hungry, I don’t want any”. I’ll be right back, promise.” 

You gave him a quick kiss as you got up, threw another bag of popcorn in the microwave and moved your clothes to the dryer. Shaking the hot popcorn bag and refilling your bowl, you climbed back on top of Javi, nestling yourself comfortably against his broad frame. You were relieved that Javi was genuinely into the movie, making comments and remarks after big action scenes, popcorn making a constant path from the bowl to his mouth. He was like a 12 year old boy trapped in a grown man’s body. It made you wonder how many other people had gotten to see this side of Javi before. It was no secret to you that whatever past he carried weighed on him heavily. His mom, Lorraine, Colombia. Even though you didn’t know the whole story, it made you hopeful to think you could be part of a new chapter that brought him a little more joy than he had before. 

As the ending scene credits rolled, you leaned your head up to him. “Soooooo… what’d ya think? Better than a high school make out session in a dark movie theater?” 

“There’s other ones right? Can we watch more of them? Osita, I can see why you like this so much. There’s some stuff in it that’s fuckin’ weird, but I guess it’s space, but it was really good.” 

“Absolutely we can. I do hope you know, the more we watch, the nerdier I will get.” 

As the VHS ended and a silence filled the room, you realized the dryer was finished and had stopped running, and the monotonous tick of the clock behind your TV read 9:17 PM. You couldn’t bring yourself to ask Javi to leave. How could you? But your lack of accomplished to-do’s and the looming screams of 8 and 9 year olds at 7:30 tomorrow morning already had you feeling the impending headache already building behind your eyes. The huff of disappointment you let out of you was much louder than you had hoped, and Javi knew exactly why. 

“I don’t want to go either, Osita. But tomorrow is gonna kick both of our asses if I don’t leave.” 

“Yeah, I know…” your lip let out a pout. 

“Thursday will come fast, I promise. Even if I can’t see you, I’ll call you and we can at least talk on the phone if you’re up for it.” 

“Fine. I will release you and your jeans from my custody. Let me go grab them for you.” 

Hopping off the couch, you threw your clean clothes back into your hamper to be sorted later, pulling out Javi’s jeans and boxers to give back to him. 

Bringing the pair back to the couch, you found Javi leaning against the back of your couch, waiting for you to return. 

“Just so you know, in this apartment, there is a 3 kiss minimum to obtain any clothing items belonging to your bottom half.” You pressed into him, dangling the pants and underwear in your outstretched arm. 

“What happens if I give you more than 3?” 

“You can use them as a down payment towards your next set of pants you need to get back from me.” 

“God, you’re such a dork.” 

“Kiss me or lose the pants, Peña. Choice is yours.” 

You shrieked and dropped the jeans as Javi suddenly wrapped his arms underneath you and lifted you up, wrapping your legs around his waist. 

“One…” He leaned in to peck your lips in between your giggles. 

“Two…” Another kiss landed on your mouth, a little longer than the last. 

“Three.” A final slow and sweet set of lips grazed across yours, his mustache tickling you as he pulled away and set you gently back on your feet. 

“Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” 

Javi laughed as he reached down for his clothes, shuffling the gray shorts down his legs, and exchanging them for his boxers and jeans. “Could be worse.” As he finished running his belt through the jean’s loopholes, you went to your fridge to rip a fresh piece of paper from your grocery list, and began scribbling. 

“For you.” You reached out your arm, handing Javi a note with your phone number and a smiley face and a cute doodle of a bear. 

“Thanks, Osita.” You found yourself both begrudgingly making your way to the front door, as Javi slipped on his shoes and grabbed his keys, finally admitting defeat that the weekend had to come to an end. 

“Will you call me when you get home so I know you made it back safe?” 

“Of course.” He reached down to cup your face, your lips meeting one last time, savoring every sweet second before he pulled away to run a hand through your hair and kiss the top of your head. “I’ll pick you up on Thursday, okay?” 

“Okay.” 

He reached down for the doorknob, slowly twisting it and opening the door, revealing the empty hallway he was about to walk down. “I’ll see you soon, Osita.” 

“Not soon enough. See you on Thursday, Javi.” 

He gave your outstretched hand one more squeeze before finally letting go, the door quietly clicking as it shut behind him. 

In that moment, there was one thing you knew for certain. You had it bad for Javier Peña.

Finally coming down from your lovestruck high, you looked around your apartment to realize you had done very few things on your list to get ready for tomorrow. Mentally prioritizing, you cleaned up your living room, laid out your clothes, and changed your sheets, making a note that if you were going to keep seeing Javi like this, there needed to be more in the rotation. Once you finished, you brought your laundry out to the living room, turning on the TV and folding, waiting for Javi to call. 

Little did you know, Javi spent the entire rest of his ride home imagining you by his side, as listened to the rest of the Grease soundtrack. 

As he pulled into the ranch and made his way into the house, he had never been more relieved to find his dad passed out in his armchair with the TV blasting, thankful to avoid questionings about his whereabouts- at least for now. 

Quietly making his way to his room and closing the door, he took the cell phone out of his back pocket, along with your note, and pressed his fingers into each number. 

You barely let one ring go by before dropping the laundry that was in your hands and springing towards the phone. 

“Hi, Javi.” 

“How’d you know it was me?” 

“Not many people are calling me at 9:45 at night just to chat. You make it home okay?” 

“Yeah, I did. I’ll let you get to bed, but I just wanted to let you know I had a lot of fun this weekend. I’m uh, I’m really glad that you like spending time with me.” 

“I am too, Javi. I haven’t had this much fun in a really long time.”

“I’ll call you later this week and we can talk details for Thursday?” 

“Sounds like a plan to me.” 

“Okay. Duerme bien y dolces sueños, Osita.” 

Something about his voice in Spanish practically melted your heart. “Something about good and sweet?” You tried to translate. 

“Sleep well and sweet dreams.” 

“Well in that case, duerme bien y dolces sueños a ti tambien, Javi.” 

“Bye, Osita.” 

“Bye.” 

After hearing the click on the end of your line, you hung your phone back on the receiver, putting your hands in your face and letting out a little scream to yourself.  Yeah, you had it REAL bad for Javier Peña.

[diy-fire-water-pups]

Heya, guys! Just an ask for you guys, especially for Rocky. What do you guys feel about those cyber trucks? To me, I get salty because people drive a frickin TRAPEZOID!! it looks like an oversized microwave with four wheels! Even raccoons are attacking those trucks because they think they are dumpsters. But hey, that’s just me. What do you guys think?

If only the problem would be ONLY that this truck looks like a trapezoid… Someone once joked it’s Lara Croft in her first game - I had to look that up - but to be very honest, I think she has more polygons than a Cybertruck. And that’s saying something for sure.

As the Paw Patrol’s pup who’s specialized in medicine, I'd like to say that this truck is literally a menace on wheels for both passengers and pedestrians. Have you seen the crash tests? The truck doesn’t crush when colliding with something! It’s supposed to crush so the force of impact won’t go fully on the passengers inside. Without it, if it hits against something full force at top speed, people’s organs will practically become puree against their ribcage. And if it hits a pedestrian, even at lower speeds, the chances of major injuries is insanely high because it doesn’t have any smooth lines on its frame to soften the impact against the person! Only sharp edges! It’s absolutely deadly!

It looks like something you'd see in an Atari game, of course there are people who would be a fan of it but that's a very small percentage of a specific public; as Marshall said, the very frame design makes it extremely dangerous; I absolutely DO NOT trust anything that's entirely dependant on a touchscreen to function, once the screen is out, you won't be able to do anything anymore; If you need to look away from the road for more than 5 seconds to do something on that tablet, it should be considered already a failure of programming and danger inducing; a lot of them came out of the factory with already rusty components so THAT SHOULD SAY SOMETHING; oh yeah, you can't even take it to a car wash or it'll come out a huge useless brick on the other side and if you can't wash it, you'd at least want to coat it but guess what, you can't do that either; a bunch of the panels are literally GLUED to the frame...?; every time you go recharge it you need to do it as correctly as possible to not risk the charger getting stuck and eventually breaking it; if you drive in the rain, water will leak in through the edges; you can't even haul stuff or help another car because you'll be risking to snap the back frame - it's not in one piece with the chassis, but connected by a sort of plastic piece to it...???? I swear I've seen Chase's cruiser hold and tow heavier stuff with its winch than what a Cybertruck can ever dream of doing; if anything happens to the back of this truck, you can kiss goodbye to its bed, even though it's not as big as they promised either; they basically made a fool of a lot of people by making them pay a lot more for a "Foundation Series" promising a full self driving feature that, as far as I know as of now, is still not available; the truck just has so many problems someone drove it out of the factory and not even two minutes later it bricked completely and has been at a repair shop ever since; the list goes on and on...

Some Tesla vehicles at least look good and have decent features, though they also have a lot more problems than they should, which could have been solved already by now, but they don't even try, all because the company owner is just... A bad person, let's put it like that. He's got a temper worse than Sweetie's, he thinks he's above everyone else and won't ever take a "no" or "don't". I've heard a lot of other EV companies are making better AND affordable EVs literally by looking at what's wrong with Tesla cars to not repeat the same errors on theirs.

Oh, and one last thing! This guy also went against regulation laws against hate speech in our Mod's country, which resulted on his social media website and app getting banned there. Not satisfied with that, he double-crossed the ban to make it available there again although totally illegally, by using the same IP servers that hospitals, public services and even the very Brazilian government websites use, so... Triple crime? Not gonna lie, it's funny to follow how it's going down there.

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[reborrowing]

Purr

Stranger Swap masterpost

jumping ahead to when their relationship is less contentious…

no warnings, just fluff

“Can you make yourself purr?” Phoebe asked.

“Mm?”

Val blinked several times to try and refocus their eyes away from the television as they looked down at her sleepily. She gave the oversized borrower a patient smile, admiring the slight daze on their face. They were usually dead asleep by this part of the afternoon, but they always made an effort to stay awake and keep her company whenever the shared curse that made them trade sizes struck during daylight hours.

“Purring. Does it just happen, or can you do it on command?”

“I’m not a dog, Bee, I’m not gonna do tricks for you” they said, a slight whine hanging in their voice.

“What? Not my command. I just mean, can you do it when you want or is it more of a reflex?” Phoebe said.

“Oh. Then, yeah, mostly.”

They rubbed some of their grogginess out of their eyes. She wondered if they’d actually been nodding off this whole time. If so, how stupid was she to wake them up? Half the time she caught them purring was while they were curled up somewhere for a nap—but only when they were their usual, tiny self, never when they traded. She’d never heard them purr when they were larger than her.

“Mostly?” she asked.

“It’s like…it’s a breathing thing? But social. It’s supposed to feel warm and like home. Safe.”

Phoebe hummed thoughtfully, a little flattered that they’d express such a thing around her after all they’d expressed about humans being dangerous. They offered her a hand and she jumped on board. Val cupped her to their chest and shifted positions and all the movement at once was disorienting. She held tight to one of their fingers. The world tilted to the side as they stretched out and lay back against the arm of the couch so she could be on their chest without falling.

Their purr roared to life around her like a truck engine, low and heavy and overpoweringly present in her chest. It was almost more of a growl than a purr, if it weren’t so slow and drowsy.

She slid off Val’s hand and worked her way up to their neck and the hypnotic sound reverberated up each step. The purring skipped for a brief second as she settled against their throat. It came back even louder as Val’s muscles relaxed beneath her.

Safe.

[coast2coasttruckingpermits]

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It goes about as a directing light, guaranteeing that companies comply with the horde state and government regulations overseeing the development of goods the nation over. Past this, it relaxes the shoulders of logistics professionals by dealing with the complexities engaged with permit procurement.

Benefits Of Top Trucking Permit Assistance

Utilizing top-level trucking permit assistance services offers many benefits that can fundamentally influence an organization's primary concern. These services are set up with experts knowledgeable in the industry's intricacies, giving companies an upper hand.

One of the essential benefits is proficiency. Top permit assistance services have streamlined processes for permit securing, slicing through administrative noise, and decreasing standby times. 

Besides, top permit assistance services guarantee no regulatory stone is left unturned. They have a top-to-bottom comprehension of the permits expected in various states and for multiple sorts of cargo. 

Lessening Functional Costs And Time

In the domain of cargo transport, time is cash. Each second that a shipment is deferred can bring about added costs. One of the most convincing benefits of top trucking permit assistance is decreasing both time and functional expenses.

Also, the decreased time spent exploring the intricacies of permit regulations and applications opens up important HR. Your group can zero in on center functional assignments, improving efficiency.

Guaranteeing Compliance And Staying Away From Punishments

Compliance is critical to an effective and legitimately sound cargo transport activity. Resistance outcomes can be extreme, going from weighty fines to functional disturbances. 

Top trucking permit assistance services guarantee companies stay on the right half of the law. By entrusting permits from the board to experts, companies can essentially decrease the gamble of compliance-related punishments. 

This is particularly critical in ventures where even a short functional stop can bring substantial monetary misfortunes and harm reputations.

Exploring Intricacies And Difficulties

The world of permits can be inconceivably many-sided, with various states, cargo types, and transportation strategies requiring explicit permits. Exploring these intricacies can be overwhelming, particularly for companies that work across state lines or transport different goods.

For example, if you work in curiously enormous light burdens, you'll require various permits contrasted with an organization transporting risky materials. 

Permit services guarantee that you have the proper licenses for your particular requirements, disposing of mystery and the gamble of gaining pointless permits.

Finding The Right Trucking Permit Assistance Supplier

With the vast number of trucking permit assistance suppliers accessible, finding the correct accomplice for your business is vital. Not all permit services are equivalent, and picking the right one can significantly affect your tasks.

While looking for the proper trucking permit assistance supplier for Nevada DOT permits, there are a few critical elements to consider. Right off the bat, search for experience. 

A deep-rooted supplier with a history of progress is often a more secure bet. Experience shows a profound comprehension of the industry and a capacity to explore its intricacies.

Conclusion

In the speedy world of cargo transport, proficiency is the situation. Smoothing out tasks, decreasing costs, guaranteeing compliance, and exploring the intricacies of permits are imperative parts of an effective logistics activity. 

Trucking permit assistance, particularly by top-level services, is critical to accomplishing these objectives. By embracing the benefits presented by these services, companies can altogether improve their functional productivity. 

They can convey goods quicker, decrease practical costs, and comply with the consistently changing regulations administering the transportation industry.

[ladamedusoif]

A Cup of Kindness, Yet

Part of the Pickled Peña Writing Challenge

(Challenge graphics and images by @musings-of-a-rose and @trulybetty - thank you!)

Pairing: Javier Peña x F!Reader

Word Count: 2191

Warnings: Alcohol; smoking; strong language (it’s Javi); post-S3 of Narcos; no physical descriptions of Reader; no use of Y/N. 

Rating: Teen

Summary: Another Auld Lang Syne in Laredo, two decades after you last saw in a new year with Javier.

A/N: My submission for the Pickled Peña Writing Challenge organised by @goodwithcheese and the rest of the @pickled-pena collective - thank you for organising this event, everyone! I can't wait to read all the different submissions for these really challenging prompts, and hope you enjoy my contribution.

(PS: if you enjoy this story please follow my writing blog @ladameecrit and turn on notifications - I'm also on AO3.)

“Well? What do you think?”

She twirls around in a black velvet dress, its long sleeves sprinkled with little rhinestones. You have to hand it to her - for a widow in her sixties, your mom still knows how to do glamour. 

It’s a pity the same can’t be said for her daughter. You’ve been schlubbing around the house all throughout the holidays in sweatpants, slouch socks, and your oversized college sweatshirt: the perfect “so your fiancé dumped you just before the holidays” cliche. 

“You look great, mom. You always do.”

She casts an eye over your attire, your messy hair, your bare face. “You could get dressed and come with me, you know. Might meet someone new? You never know on New Year’s Eve…”

You roll your eyes. “Mom, if you think I’m going to meet the love of my life on New Year’s Eve in Laredo - correction, in Laredo at the community dance - then have I got a bridge to sell you. You’re likely to be one of the hot young things there, going on the usual crowd it attracts.”

She swats at you with her black clutch. “I beg your pardon? I am one of the hot young things.” A final check in the mirror, a final pat to her perfectly-lacquered blow dry.

“All I’m saying is, you never know.”

“And all I’m saying is, this year I’m sticking to my New Year’s resolution: no more men.”

***

“Alright, pop. Have a good time - and no making out with girls down by the river!”

Chucho Peña shakes his head and smiles as he gets out of Javier’s truck, parked outside the community centre. “A pity you won’t join us, mijo,” the older man says, placing his stetson on his head. “You could do with the company.”

Javier shakes his head. “I’m fine, pop. You go and enjoy yourself. You know I don’t like New Year’s, anyway.”

He doesn’t. He never really did. As a kid he liked watching the countdown on TV with his parents and extended family, as a teen the last day of the year became a competition to find someone to make out with as the clock struck midnight. (Javi always excelled.)

But there was always something uncomfortable about the event, something that preyed on the melancholy aspects of his character. Maybe it was the forced celebrations, or the strangeness of marking the passing of time, or the pressure to be someone new - someone better - in the new year ahead. 

He’d been trying to be someone new for years, now. He never succeeded.

Back at the ranch, he flips idly through the TV channels and finds nothing to watch. A rumble in his tummy has him peering into the cold light of the refrigerator, confronted with a few cold cuts, cheese, and a half-eaten jar of pickles that’s been there forever. A solitary bottle of beer lurks on the refrigerator door. 

“Fuck this.”

He grabs his jacket and keys and heads for his truck.

***

The cashier rings up your two bottles of wine and places them in a plastic carrier bag. They’re young, probably not much older than sixteen, and their New Year’s Eve shift at the convenience store clearly isn’t setting their world alight. 

“Havin’ a party, huh,” they mumble as they hand you the bag. 

“Oh yeah,” you respond in a tone dripping with sarcasm, unable to keep your sass-mouth in check. “I’m having a huge party, with my two bottles of cheap Californian white.”

“Just makin’ conversation, lady. Y’all have a good night at your wine party, or whatever.”

You huff as you shove the plastic bag on the passenger seat and hop into your car, still rolling your eyes in misplaced frustration at the young cashier. You knew you were in the wrong, taking your heartbreak and loneliness out on a spotty kid working minimum wage. For a moment, you consider driving to a bar, seeking some sort of solace in the company of strangers.

But every bar in town would be celebrating, you remind yourself. The last thing you want is to ring in the new year being felt up by someone’s greasy uncle in an ill-fitting denim shirt and bolo tie, reeking of cheap whiskey. 

In that moment, the yellow glow emanating from the signage over the branch of Danny’s Restaurant, across the street, catches your eye like a beacon. 

Perfect.

***

Javier’s truck pulls into the parking lot of the convenience store, pausing to let a woman driving a beat-up compact pass on her way out. He’s got his heart set on a half-pounder and fries from Danny’s - extra pickles, extra mayo - but wants to pick up some beers and cigarettes first, to keep him going for the rest of the night.

The cashier rings up his six-pack and Marlboros, sighing as they place them in a bag. “Havin’ a party, huh,” the kid mutters, barely making eye contact with their customer.

“Pretty mean party, just a six-pack and a box of smokes,” Javier responds.

The kid stares up at him. “Whatever. Smokin’s bad for you, anyway.”

Javier wheels around as he exits the store. “I know. Don’t care. Quitting’s my New Year’s resolution so I gotta make the most of them tonight.”

***

“So that’s a Danny’s Special, hold the pickles, extra lettuce, and a Diet Coke?”

You nod up at the waitress and hand her the menu with a smile. You catch a glimpse of your reflection in the window of the restaurant, and for a moment you don’t recognise the woman you see.

When did you get so old, you wonder? Where did you - or at least, the you that used to be - go? 

Still, at least you’d put on some 501s, a fresh white scoop neck top, and a long-line cardigan for your first venture outside your family home in several days. Sure, it might just be for a trip to the convenience store and Danny’s, but even you had standards.

The waitress returns with your drink and the usual complimentary tray of chips and salsa. The restaurant is probably a little quieter than usual for this time of the evening: a couple of families in booths here and there, a few lone diners at the counter. As you nibble idly on the chips, you half-notice a dark-haired man coming through the door a little after you, placing his order quickly at the counter before he’s even been seated. 

It was just what you were after: no countdowns, no forced merriment, no crowds, but just enough hum and background noise to break up the silence that otherwise awaited you. 

“One Danny’s special.”

You thank the waitress and sigh with anticipation as you lift your burger, take your first bite, and find your mouth filled with the overpowering taste of pickles.

***

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Uh, I think my order got mixed up - I asked for no pickles, and this burger has…”

You become aware of the dark-haired man signalling to another staff member behind the counter, pointing at his burger in much the same way as you. 

There’s something familiar about him - about his body language, his profile, the way he carries himself. 

And then it hits you.

“Javi?”

***

How long has it been? Twenty years? Twenty-five?

No matter the number, when the shock of recognition has the power to jolt you back through time like this. Back to another New Year’s Eve, someone’s shitty house party, most of your senior year classmates wasted on cheap beer and tequila. Still an hour or two before midnight and already the party has split into two camps: the lovers, making out on every conceivable surface, and the fighters, yelling and screeching and walking off.

And then there were those who combined both roles, whose loving felt a lot like fighting and vice versa. 

Like Lorraine and Javi.

In your mind's eye, you're back in the upstairs hallway of that house, wearing your new flared jeans and ditsy print blouse and picking your way over classmates and half-drunk plastic cups of beer as you seek out the bathroom. 

A couple is rowing in one of the bedrooms, the door ajar enough for you to be able to peek in. 

You know you shouldn’t, but…

“You’re such a dick, Javi! You know what you did!”

Ah. Lorraine and Javi. Lovers and fighters.

“You stand there and accuse me, Lorraine, but where were you at the time?”

Lorraine tosses her perfect blonde hair indignantly.

“I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer. Fuck you, Javier.”

She doesn’t even notice you as she flounces out of the room. Same as it ever was. You’d always had a tendency to blend into the background. 

Javi notices you, though. “Did you enjoy the show?”

You step around the door and look in at him nervously. “I didn’t mean to overhear, but you guys were pretty loud…”

He’s got his back to you as he sits on the side of the bed, impossibly broad in his tight, striped shirt. 

You wander into the room and closer to him, emboldened by a couple of weak beers. “Are you okay?”

His dark eyes look into yours in surprise, as if he’s unused to being asked the question.

“I guess… it’s just - ah, fuck it. She seems to think I’m always cheating on her - and I’m not, I swear - but won’t explain why she’s gotta spend so much time ‘revising’ with other guys.”

“Maybe she’s just helping them prepare for the SATs?”

He looks at you, and you notice the sadness in his eyes. “Maybe. I dunno. She shouldn’t go off on me about this stuff, though.” He takes a swig from a bottle of beer and exhales. “Fuckin’ hate New Year’s.”

“Me too.” 

He huffs a laugh and smiles at you. “I’m in good company, then.”

You see in the new year sitting side by side on the back porch, sharing a small bottle of cheap bourbon and swapping stories about your plans for the future, your hopes and dreams.

Javier Peña tells you he’s going to change the world.

And then school starts again, and Lorraine and Javi make up, and that’s the last time you talk to him other than a mumbled “Hi” in the hallway now and again. 

Until tonight.

***

He slides into the seat opposite you and shakes his head with a smile. “All these years, and it took a mix-up about pickles to bring us back together again.”

You shrug, taking in the man he had become: handsome, charming, cool, even, but with the same lingering sadness haunting those beautiful eyes. 

“Of all the family restaurants in all of Texas,” you offer.

“You had to walk into mine,” he responds, taking the bait. “Or into this branch of Danny’s, at least.”

You tilt your head to look at him. “What’s a hero doing alone on New Year’s Eve, anyway?”

He rolls his eyes. “Not a hero. And don’t you remember? I don’t like New Year’s. Fuckin’ hate it, in fact. Told you that, all those years ago.”

“You did, didn’t you?” 

The waitress returns carrying your two freshly-prepared, correct orders and a large helping of apologies. “We’ll be sure to bring you over some more chips, too, and the drinks are on the house.”

Javier clinks his glass off yours. “Maybe this year is looking up already. What about you, anyway - what brings you back home?”

“My fiancé dumped me four days before Christmas,” you explain, dipping a French fry into a pot of chipotle mayo. “So what else is a girl to do but run home to mama, legal career or no legal career?”

“Fuck, that’s rough.” Javier seems genuinely sympathetic. He takes a bite of his burger and chews it thoughtfully. “So no New Year’s parties for you either, huh?”

You shake your head. “I would rather be dipped in boiling oil.”

He laughs, revealing the crinkles around his eyes that only serve to make him even more handsome as he enters middle age. Why do these little signs of ageing always look good on men, you wonder, but make a woman feel like she’s failed?

“Would you be opposed to a party for two?” he asks quietly. “Theme is: Fuck New Year’s.”

You grin. “Just like old times. Count me in.”

***

You hear the bells of San Agustín ringing in the new year from the back porch of your mother’s house. Javier clinks his whiskey tumbler off your glass of white wine. 

“A happy fuck new year’s to you.”

“And a happy fuck new year’s to you, too. You got any resolutions, Javi?”

He takes a long, satisfying drag on his cigarette before handing it to you. “Quit smoking. You?”

“No more men. Think you’ll stick to it?”

He raises an eyebrow at your resolution and smiles as he looks out into the night. “We’ll see. Hearing good things about those nicotine patches.” And then those penetrating, sad eyes are on you. “What about you? Think you’ll stick to your resolution?”

You meet his gaze and give him a knowing smile. “We’ll see. Might find someone worth breaking it for.”