They ate, and Tank paid the bill once again.

"I can pay the bill," Kayla said as they walked back toward his truck, her tone laced with quiet determination.

Tank shot her a sideways glance, shaking his head. "Lil' girl, hold on to ya money—I got it," he told her, unlocking the truck doors.

Kayla sighed as they tossed their bags into the back. "I know you do, but I don't want you thinking I'm taking advantage of you," she admitted, watching as he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine.

Tank pulled the covers from the windows, giving her an amused smirk. "You couldn't take advantage of me even if you wanted to."

Kayla laughed, shaking her head. "But I still wanna do something," she pressed.

Tank shifted into gear, pulling away from the diner. "You keepin' me company is enough," he said, flashing her a small smile as they approached a gas station.

Kayla sighed again, leaning her head against the window.

Tank chuckled as he parked at the pump. "Tell ya what," he said, unbuckling his seatbelt. "We'll think of somethin' so you can do ya part. But 'til then? Just relax." He winked at her before hopping out of the truck.

Kayla watched through the window as he stretched before grabbing the gas nozzle. She found herself staring at the way his muscles flexed beneath his hoodie, the way he moved—strong, confident, at ease. It was like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders but carried it effortlessly.

She wasn't used to men like Tank. He wasn't pushy, wasn't expecting anything from her. He wasn't trying to manipulate her or make her feel like she owed him somethin'. He was just... solid.

Kayla exhaled, sitting back in her seat. Maybe, just maybe, this trip wasn't a mistake after all.

Tank drove, his eyes locked on the road, hands steady on the wheel. He barely had to think about it—driving was second nature to him by now.

Kayla, on the other hand, had taken it upon herself to straighten up his space. It wasn't dirty, but he had clothes scattered here and there, little things tossed around from being on the road so much.

"You can put some of ya clothes in the drawers under the bed if ya want," Tank told her, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

Kayla smiled and did just that. She carefully unpacked her suitcase, folding her clothes neatly and placing them in the empty space, leaving her duffle bag packed as there was no more space for the items in the duffle bag. As she moved around, she pulled a quilt from her backpack and spread it out over the bed.

Tank glanced back at the colorful fabric, catching a glimpse of her face as she smoothed it over the mattress. "That mean somethin' special to ya?" he asked, his voice low.

Kayla nodded, running her fingers along the stitching. "My grandma made it for me before she passed," she said softly. "It's the only thing I got left of hers."

Tank gave a slow nod, his grip tightening on the wheel. He knew what it was like to hold on to something that meant the world to you. "It's nice," he said simply. "It'll probably keep us warmer than that comforter I got."

Kayla smiled at that, tucking the edges of the quilt in before climbing back into the front seat.

Tank kept driving, five hours deep into the trip. The neon green sign welcoming them to Maine flashed by, and he rolled his shoulders, easing some of the stiffness settling into his muscles.

"We finally here," he muttered. "Two more hours to Walmart."

Kayla stretched, glancing out at the scenery as they passed through Kittery. "You ahead of schedule, huh?"

"Damn right," Tank smirked. "Thinkin' once we get closer, we can stop and grab somethin' to eat. Sound good?"

Kayla nodded, tucking her legs beneath her. "I don't care where we eat, as long as I'm near you."

Tank shot her a look, his smirk deepening. "You gettin' attached already?"

Kayla shrugged playfully. "Maybe a little bit."

Tank chuckled, shaking his head. "Aight, we'll stop soon."

Kayla settled into her seat, feeling safe, feeling content. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't scared of what came next.

Tank was thirty minutes out from Walmart and wasn't scheduled for delivery until 3 in the morning. That meant he had some free time, and he wasn't mad at that.

He glanced around the space, taking in how much neater everything looked with Kayla's touch. His clothes weren't thrown around, and her quilt gave the bed a warmer feel. He exhaled, relaxing against the pillows for a moment, letting himself appreciate the small things.

His phone buzzed, and he noticed a few missed calls. First thing first, he returned his mama's call.

"Hey, Mama," he greeted, his thick country drawl making the words sound lazy but affectionate.

"Tank, boy, you betta not be ignorin' my calls," his mama scolded him, though he could hear the smile in her voice.

"I ain't, I been drivin'," he assured her, stretching out his legs as he settled into the bed.

Kayla sat beside him, clearly needing to busy herself, so she shifted closer, hands finding his shoulders. Without saying a word, she started massaging the tight knots in his muscles, her touch gentle but firm. Tank sighed lowly, enjoying the feeling but not letting it show too much while he was on the phone.

His mama kept talking, asking about his route, if he'd been eating right, and if he'd made any stops home. Tank answered her questions, his voice rumbling in his chest as Kayla's fingers worked into his muscles, kneading out the tension from hours on the road.

"You sound tired," his mama noted.

"I'm good, Mama," Tank assured her. "Got some time to chill before my drop."

"You need to come home soon," she told him. "Ain't seen ya in a while."

Tank smirked. "I know, I know. I'll be back through when I can."

Kayla's hands moved lower, kneading into his upper back, and Tank barely stopped himself from groaning. She had good hands, soft but strong, and she knew what she was doing.

His mama kept talking, telling him about family drama, the latest gossip from back home, and what she was cooking for Sunday dinner. Tank listened, his body growing looser under Kayla's touch, his eyes slipping closed as he soaked it all in.

Kayla, for her part, stayed quiet, respectful of his call, but she was paying attention. She liked hearing Tank talk, liked the warmth in his voice when he spoke to his mama.

When the call finally ended, Tank exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

"You got good hands," he murmured, tilting his head back slightly. "Where you learn how to do that?"

Kayla smirked. "Google."

Tank chuckled. "Shit, keep that up, and I might start payin' you to ride with me."

Kayla smiled, a warmth spreading in her chest at the thought.

"Are you going to call your pops next?" she asked, nodding toward his phone.

Tank nodded, sitting up a little. "Yeah, lemme see what he want."

Kayla settled in beside him as he made the next call, still rubbing small circles into his back, feeling comfortable in a way she hadn't in a long time.

Tank called his pops next. His old man didn't want much—just to hear his voice, check in, and make sure he was still breathing.

"Yeah, Pops, I'm good," Tank reassured, stretching his long legs out.

While he talked, he reached back, guiding Kayla's hand lower on his back, right to the tight knot that had been bothering him for days. She didn't hesitate, pressing her fingers into the spot and working it out, slow and steady.

Tank let out a deep groan, his head tilting back slightly.

His father paused. "What the hell wrong with you?"

Tank cleared his throat, straightening up. "Nothin', back popped."

Kayla smirked behind him, amused at how quickly he covered that up.

His father kept talking, going on about work, the truck he'd been fixing up, and how his mama kept nagging him about eating too much fried food. Tank let him talk, throwing in a few "yeahs" and "I hear ya" while Kayla kept working his back, her fingers damn near magic.

By the time he wrapped up the call, Tank was feeling loose, like he'd had a whole damn spa treatment. He turned to Kayla, eyeing her with a smirk.

"Okay, magic fingers," he drawled. "Ya wanna get Texas Roadhouse?"

Kayla nodded, but the way he was eyeing her made her nervous. His gaze was heavy, knowing, like he could see straight through her.

"What?" she asked, trying to play it cool.

Tank chuckled, shaking his head. "Nothin'. Just wonderin' how the hell you got hands that good."

Kayla shrugged, biting back a smile. "Maybe I just got a gift."

Tank smirked, grabbing his keys. "Come on, let's go get some food. I'm starvin'."

Kayla followed, feeling lighter than she had in days.

They both climbed out of the truck, and Tank made sure to lock it up before walking toward the diner. The crisp air of Maine hit them as they stepped out into the parking lot, the quiet of the night adding to the sense of calm that had settled between them. Kayla could feel the warmth of Tank's arm brushing against hers as they walked side by side, and she was grateful for the stability he seemed to offer.

"Ya sure you're good with me payin' for all this?" Tank asked, glancing down at her as they reached the door.

Kayla nodded, her nerves easing just a little. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... didn't want you thinking I was taking advantage of you," she said quietly, her fingers brushing against the handle of the door.

Tank chuckled softly. "Baby, I already told you. You couldn't take advantage of me if you tried. You're fine." He opened the door, and they stepped inside.

The warm, cozy atmosphere of Texas Roadhouse welcomed them, and they were quickly seated at a booth. The waitress handed them the menus, her smile wide and welcoming. Kayla barely glanced at the menu, not wanting to be indecisive. She already knew what she wanted, but Tank's presence next to her had her mind spinning. She was still trying to get used to him being so close, the natural way he seemed to take care of her without asking for anything in return.

"So," Tank said, breaking her thoughts as he leaned back in the booth, his voice smooth and casual, "You ever been to Texas Roadhouse before?"

Kayla shook her head, a little smile tugging at her lips. "No, this is my first time. You seem to like it though."

Tank smirked. "I love it. They got the best rolls and cinnamon butter. You'll see."

Kayla nodded, still a little caught up in the quiet tension between them. Tank's calm demeanor was doing something to her—something she couldn't quite put her finger on. She was used to being guarded, keeping her emotions close, but there was something about Tank that made her feel like she could let go.

"So, what's your next move?" Tank asked, his voice low, as he picked up his menu.

Kayla stared at the table for a moment, unsure. "I don't really know yet. I'll figure it out when we get out of Maine, I guess. But for now, I'm just... tryin' to get away from everything." She looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "You know, find some peace."

Tank studied her for a second before nodding slowly. "I get that. Life's hard sometimes, but ya gotta keep movin'. I'll help you figure it out."

Her heart did a little flip in her chest at his words. It wasn't just the way he'd said it, but the genuine care behind it. It felt like he was offering more than just a ride.

Kayla smiled, grateful for him in a way she hadn't been for anyone in a long time. "Thanks, Tanky. I don't think I've ever had anyone like you in my life."

Tank shrugged, glancing down at the menu. "I ain't doin' nothin' special. I just believe in helpin' people when they need it."

The waitress returned with their drinks, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics as they ordered their meals. But through the rest of the evening, the quiet undercurrent of their growing connection hung in the air, unspoken but felt by both of them. Kayla couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she'd always thought she was.

As they ate, Kayla found herself laughing at Tank's jokes, feeling more comfortable than she had in a long time. For the first time in days, she felt safe, protected—even cared for. And for once, she wasn't thinking about the past. She was focused on the present, on the road ahead, and on the man sitting across from her who had somehow managed to change everything.

Tank paid the bill without thinking as Kayla yawned, rubbing her eyes sleepily. It was getting late, and Tank knew she was getting tired. He led the way back to the truck, unlocking the doors as Kayla climbed in first, immediately slipping into the back.

She stretched her arms above her head, letting out a soft sigh before reaching for her bag. "I'm changing real quick," she murmured, grabbing a pair of shorts and a tank top.

Tank gave her some space, climbing into the driver's seat as he adjusted a few things on the dashboard. He let the engine rumble to life, shifting into gear as he pulled away from Texas Roadhouse, full and content.

The night air had cooled considerably, and the roads were quiet as he made his way toward Walmart. He preferred to get there early, resting in the loading dock so he wouldn't have to do much when 3 a.m. rolled around.

Kayla climbed back into the passenger seat, curling her legs up underneath her. "How far we got?" she asked, her voice laced with sleep.

"'Bout twenty minutes," Tank told her, glancing over. He smirked at the way she was fighting to keep her eyes open. "If ya that tired, go on and lay down. I got it from here."

Kayla gave a sleepy shake of her head. "I can stay up."

Tank chuckled. "Mhm. We'll see 'bout that."

The hum of the truck mixed with the stillness of the night, and within minutes, Kayla's head was resting against the seat, her breathing evening out. Tank shook his head, amused. He had a feeling she'd crash as soon as they stopped.

By the time he reached Walmart, he pulled the truck into the loading dock, finding a quiet spot where he could park without being disturbed. He killed the engine and stretched his arms, letting out a deep sigh. His body was used to these long drives, but he was still feeling the weight of the day.

Glancing back, he saw that Kayla was still knocked out, curled up with her quilt tucked under her chin. He smirked to himself before kicking off his boots and pulling off his hoodie. The truck was warm, and he wasn't about to sweat himself to death while sleeping. He changed into a pair of sweats and slid into bed beside her, careful not to wake her.

As he settled in, he felt Kayla shift slightly, her body instinctively curling closer to his warmth. He didn't move, just laid there, staring at the ceiling for a moment. He wasn't sure what exactly he'd gotten himself into with her, but one thing was for sure—he wasn't about to let her go just yet.

He didn't know if he should hold her or not, but Kayla snuggled into his chest like she belonged there, making the decision for him.

"You're warm," Kayla cooed sleepily, her voice muffled against his bare skin.

Tank smirked, his hand resting on her waist. "You're warmer," he teased, his deep voice laced with amusement.

Kayla smirked against his chest, her breath soft and steady. She fit against him like a puzzle piece, her body relaxed as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. Tank exhaled, resting his head back against the pillow. He wasn't used to this—sharing his space, feeling someone else's body tucked against his. But something about Kayla didn't bother him. In fact, it felt... nice.

With one hand still resting on her waist, he reached for his phone and set his timer for 2:55 a.m. He needed to be up and ready to unload, but for now, he let himself enjoy the warmth of her against him.

The truck was silent except for the faint sound of her breathing. His body was tired, but his mind wandered. She was young, barely legal, and had been through some shit. He knew that much. But she was also strong, and despite her situation, she still found ways to smile, to joke.

Tank tightened his grip slightly, feeling her shift just a little before settling back down.

He didn't know where this road with Kayla was leading, but he knew one thing—he wasn't about to let her go just yet.

With that thought, he finally let sleep take him, his hand still resting protectively on her waist.

Tank's alarm blared at 2:55 a.m., pulling him out of the deep, warm sleep he had been wrapped in. He groaned low, stretching his arm to shut it off, careful not to wake Kayla. But the second his body shifted, she stirred against him, her fingers gripping his side.

"Mmm, Tank?" she murmured sleepily, her voice laced with exhaustion.

"Go on back to sleep, lil' bit," he rumbled, his voice thick with grogginess. "I just gotta unload."

Kayla's body curled in on itself as she yawned, her fingers slowly releasing their grip on his side. "Mmmkay..." she mumbled, her face nuzzling deeper into the pillow where his warmth lingered.

Tank smirked as he sat up, running a hand down his face before swinging his legs over the bed. He pulled on his boots, laced them up tight, and grabbed a hoodie before stepping outside into the crisp night air. The loading dock was quiet, save for the distant hum of other trucks idling. He moved swiftly, unlocking the trailer doors and preparing for the unload.

The work was mindless, just another routine drop-off, but his mind drifted back to the girl sleeping in his truck. He had picked her up on impulse, not knowing what the hell he was getting himself into. But now, just a few days in, she was already getting under his skin. She wasn't just some lost girl—she was smart, tough in her own way, and despite everything, still had this softness about her that made him want to keep her safe.

An hour passed before he finished, locking up and wiping the sweat from his forehead. He climbed back into the truck, rolling his shoulders as he sat in the driver's seat. He checked his phone—3:57 a.m. Still plenty of time to get some more rest before heading back on the road.

He glanced toward the back of the cab, his gaze settling on Kayla's sleeping form. She had sprawled out a little more, the quilt she'd brought from home tucked around her small frame. Tank smirked as he kicked off his boots, shaking his head.

"Take in my whole damn bed, huh?" he muttered under his breath, though there was no annoyance in his tone.

He climbed in next to her, the mattress dipping under his weight. Kayla stirred just enough to feel his presence, and instinctively, she reached out, her hand finding his chest like it was second nature.

Tank exhaled deeply, resting his arm over her.

He wasn't sure what the hell he was doing with this girl, but one thing was for sure—she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.