Tank shook his head as he glanced in the rearview mirror, catching sight of Kayla curled up under that quilt like she didn't have a care in the world. The warmth of the Waffle House meal had knocked her out, and she was stretched out on her stomach, one arm tucked under the pillow, her braids spilling over her shoulder.

Lil bit done got comfortable for real.

He smirked, shaking his head as he adjusted his grip on the steering wheel. He had a long drive ahead, but he didn't mind. The hum of the engine, the open road, and Kayla's quiet breathing in the back made for a peaceful ride.

For the next few hours, he kept his eyes on the road, cruising steady, only stopping once to refuel and stretch his legs. Kayla didn't stir much, just shifted under the quilt, mumbling in her sleep.

It wasn't until the late afternoon when she finally stirred, letting out a soft groan as she turned over, blinking sleepily.

"Where are we?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Almost to Ohio," Tank said, his deep voice steady. "You been knocked out for hours."

Kayla sat up, stretching her arms over her head. "That Waffle House took me out."

Tank smirked. "Yeah, I see that. You been sleepin' good back there."

Kayla scooted to the edge of the bed, peeking into the front. "You need a break? I can keep you company."

Tank glanced at her, then back at the road. "You just now waking up, and you already worried 'bout me?"

Kayla smiled sleepily. "I just don't want you driving tired."

"I'm good," Tank assured her. "I'll stop in a couple hours, grab somethin' to eat, maybe rest for a bit."

Kayla nodded, yawning. "Okay... but if you get sleepy, let me know."

Tank smirked, his light brown eyes flicking to her briefly. "Yeah, yeah. Now go on and wake up fully before you worry 'bout me."

Kayla giggled, climbing up into the passenger seat, curling her legs under her as she looked out at the road ahead. The sun was starting to dip, casting a golden glow over the highway.

"Alright, Tanky," she teased, smirking at him.

Tank cut his eyes at her but didn't correct her.

Tank stopped outside of Cleveland, OH, and parked his truck. The day had been long, and Tank was exhausted, needing to lay down for a bit. He was too tired to even think about getting something to eat. Kayla, however, was still full from earlier, casually snacking on the kettle popcorn she'd picked up at Walmart.

Tank, feeling the weight of the road on his shoulders, stripped down to his briefs, then slipped under the comforter. The bed felt like the sweetest relief, and all he wanted to do was sleep. He had three days to get the load to Milwaukee, but it had only been one full day of driving.

Kayla, never one to let the time go by idle, busied herself. She reached underneath the quilt and found Tank's feet, gently starting to massage them. Her hands moved with ease, soothing his tired muscles, and Tank let out deep groans of satisfaction.

"Thank God for you," Tank mumbled, his eyes half-closed as he allowed himself to relax further under Kayla's soothing touch.

She smiled softly, enjoying the moment, knowing Tank was finally able to unwind. His groans told her everything she needed to know. They had this rhythm, a comfort with one another that felt natural, like they were meant to share these quiet, calm moments in between the chaos of the road.

Tank let out a long, content sigh as Kayla continued massaging his feet. The steady, rhythmic motion of her hands was like a balm to his weary body. He could feel the tension slowly melting away, but there was something else lingering in the air—an unspoken connection that had grown between them, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to acknowledge it yet. For now, though, he just let himself enjoy the relief.

Kayla worked her fingers into the soles of his feet, feeling every knot and tense muscle. She noticed the way Tank's breathing deepened, a sign that he was starting to relax even more. Despite the exhaustion that had plagued him earlier, there was something comforting about being here with him in this quiet space. She wasn't sure how long she could keep pretending that there wasn't a pull between them, but for now, she focused on the task at hand—making Tank comfortable.

After a while, Tank shifted, turning to face her. His eyes, still heavy with sleep, met hers. "You sure you don't wanna rest, lil bit?" he asked softly, his voice still raspy from sleep.

Kayla shrugged, brushing a stray braid behind her ear. "I'm good. Just making sure you're good," she replied with a small smile.

Tank smirked, a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes. "You always lookin' out for me, huh?" He pulled the quilt back a little, patting the space next to him. "C'mon, get some rest. We got a long road ahead of us still."

Kayla hesitated, but only for a moment. Tank had always made her feel safe, even in the midst of everything else that had been happening. She didn't question it anymore. She didn't question the pull she felt toward him either. Moving over, she climbed into the bed beside him, and Tank pulled the comforter up around them both, settling in. His arm wrapped around her, and she rested her head on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear.

"You really gonna be okay with me around?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tank didn't hesitate. "I'm more than okay, lil bit. You're good company," he answered, his voice steady, almost reassuring.

Kayla let out a breath, relaxing into him. She had no idea what this all meant, but she couldn't deny how right it felt in this moment. For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace, her worries temporarily pushed aside as she slowly drifted off to sleep, her body pressed against Tank's warm one.

Tank, on the other hand, stayed awake for a few moments longer, simply listening to the sound of her breathing, letting the quiet settle over him. He had a lot on his mind, but for now, with Kayla beside him, he felt like he could handle anything. He allowed his eyes to close, giving in to the exhaustion that had finally caught up with him, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges. But for now, this moment—this comfort—was enough.

Tank gently traced circles on Kayla's back, his fingertips lightly gliding over her skin as the silence between them stretched comfortably. The rhythm of his touch was soothing, calming both of them after the long day on the road. Kayla nestled deeper into him, feeling the heat of his body and the way his presence seemed to put her at ease.

"You wanna stop in Chicago on the way and go to the beach?" Tank asked, his voice low and casual, but there was an undertone of anticipation, like he knew it would be something they both would enjoy.

Kayla smirked, lifting her head slightly to look at him. "Never been to Chicago," she replied, her lips curling into a playful grin. "But I think I'd like it. The city sounds fun, and I definitely wouldn't mind hitting the beach."

Tank chuckled, his thumb now brushing along her spine. "I think you'd like it too, lil bit," he said, his tone teasing but filled with the sincerity that only seemed to come out when he was with her. "We could make a day of it—relax for a bit before we head back on the road."

Kayla smiled wider, her mind already picturing the bustling streets of Chicago, the way the skyline would rise above them, and the cool breeze by the water as they walked along the shore. She had always wanted to see more of the world, and this felt like a perfect opportunity.

"Sounds perfect," she said, her voice soft but sure. She rested her head back on his chest, feeling his heartbeat steady beneath her, the hum of the truck's engine in the background like a lullaby.

Tank continued to trace patterns on her back, his fingers dancing slowly and lazily as he allowed the idea of the stop to settle into both their minds. It would be a nice break, a moment to enjoy each other's company without the constant pressure of the road. He had no idea how long it would last or where they were headed next, but for now, it didn't matter. The thought of spending time with Kayla, seeing the beach together, and just being in the moment felt right.

"We'll get there soon enough," he murmured, his fingers still moving over her skin in slow, deliberate motions.

Kayla sighed contentedly, her eyes fluttering closed as she let herself enjoy the peace of the moment. "Yeah," she whispered, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I'm looking forward to it."

It was 3:30 am when Tank eased the truck back onto the highway, his eyes focused and steady on the road ahead. It was still dark outside, and the world felt quiet and still. He didn't want to wake Kayla just yet, not while she was so peaceful, so he took extra care not to disturb her. He felt the rush of energy that came with being back on the road, but it wasn't just the road that had him energized—it was the thought of spending some time with Kayla, away from the usual routine of truck stops and the hum of the engine.

He glanced over at her, her face soft and serene in her sleep, her braided hair spilling over the pillow. He smiled to himself, wondering how they had gotten to this place, how they had started this journey that was becoming more than just about the miles they drove.

As the hours passed, the sun began to creep over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. By the time 8 am rolled around, Tank was on the outskirts of Chicago, feeling the anticipation of the city drawing near. He took a quick glance in the rearview mirror and saw Kayla stirring, her body shifting slightly as she began to wake up.

Kayla blinked slowly, the light from the early morning sun casting a soft glow through the truck's windows. She stretched, her body still a little stiff from the night's sleep, and then glanced up at Tank.

"Morning," she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep but warm and inviting. She rubbed her eyes, sitting up a bit straighter, the quilt she had draped over herself falling to her lap.

"Mornin', lil bit," Tank replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he kept his eyes focused on the road. "We're almost in Chicago."

Kayla's eyes brightened, and she smiled, the thought of the city waking her up fully. "Really? I'm actually excited," she admitted, her voice still a little groggy but filled with excitement at the idea of seeing something new. "I've always wanted to see Chicago."

Tank nodded, his grip on the steering wheel steady and sure. "I thought we could hit the beach. Spend the day just us, ya know? No rush, no deadlines."

Kayla liked the sound of that. It wasn't often she got a break from everything, and the thought of seeing the beach in Chicago with Tank—without the pressures of being on the road or worrying about the next stop—felt like exactly what she needed.

"I'd love that," she said, her eyes sparkling as she glanced out the window at the growing skyline of Chicago in the distance. "This is gonna be so much fun."

Tank smiled, his heart feeling a little lighter than it had in a while. He was more than ready for a break, for a day that was just about enjoying each other's company, and he could tell Kayla felt the same. It wasn't just about the road anymore—it was about what they could share when they were together, when they weren't just passing through the world but living in it, even for just a moment.

As they got closer to the city, the traffic started to pick up, but Tank didn't mind. He was too focused on the thought of spending time with Kayla, showing her a part of the world he loved, and maybe even seeing it through her eyes. He could tell it was going to be a good day.

"We'll hit the beach first," he said, as if reading her thoughts. "And after that, we'll see where the day takes us."

Kayla smiled, the anticipation building as she looked forward to the day ahead. She was ready for whatever Chicago had to offer—and most of all, she was ready to experience it with Tank by her side.

Tank pulled into a truck stop and parked the rig neatly in a spacious spot. He'd been on the road long enough to know how to handle his truck with precision, making sure it was safe for him to leave it for a while. He wanted to make sure the truck was secure before he and Kayla went off to explore the city. With a satisfied grunt, he killed the engine and gave the truck one last glance before focusing on getting ready for the day.

"Ready to hit the city?" Tank asked, turning to Kayla, who had already started to change in the back.

Kayla smiled up at him as she adjusted her one-piece swimsuit. She layered a pair of comfy shorts and a loose t-shirt on top, sliding her feet into sandals as she gave him a quick nod. "I'm ready. Let's see what Chicago has to offer."

Tank nodded, taking in her look. She looked good, casual but cute. He was glad they could spend the day like this, no rush, just enjoying each other's company.

Tank stripped out of his sweats and changed into swimming trunks, layering a pair of shorts over them. He grabbed a simple t-shirt to go with it, adding a jacket for later in case it got chilly. Once they were both ready, he called an Uber to take them to Oak Street Beach, a place he knew would give them a chance to relax by the water and enjoy some time outside of the truck.

As the Uber pulled up, Kayla swung her bag over her shoulder and joined Tank at the curb. She was excited, the city's energy starting to get to her. This was the kind of day she had hoped for when she agreed to ride along with Tank—a chance to explore, to live in the moment. They climbed into the back of the Uber, and as the car pulled away, Tank glanced over at Kayla, who was already looking out the window at the city passing by.

"You like it so far?" Tank asked with a smirk, his eyes watching her as the excitement reflected in her face.

Kayla grinned. "I love it already," she replied. "This is exactly what I needed."

Tank was glad to see her so happy, her usual quietness replaced with a visible lightness. He couldn't help but smile, knowing that even though it was just a small part of their journey, it was one that would stick with them for a while. The trip had already been full of moments like this, where it wasn't about the destination, but the experience.

As they neared Oak Street Beach, Tank felt a sense of anticipation. He hadn't spent much time on the beaches of Chicago himself, but he knew it had a reputation for being beautiful and relaxing, and it seemed like the perfect spot to take a break from the chaos of the road. He glanced at Kayla, watching her face as she took in the bustling city and the promise of the beach just around the corner.

"Let's make today about us, Kayla," Tank said, his voice low, almost as if it were a secret between them. "No truck, no deadlines. Just you, me, and this beach."

Kayla's smile widened as she leaned back in her seat, soaking in every moment. "I'm all in," she said softly, the excitement still twinkling in her eyes.

They pulled up to the beach, and the sounds of the city mixed with the waves crashing on the shore. Tank knew this would be the perfect place to unwind, but more than that, he knew that sharing it with Kayla would make it unforgettable.