After that night, Lawson felt his relationship with Blake significantly change.
Like right now, Blake was leaning directly into Lawson's chest, opening up about some of her inner stress.
Mainly family stuff.
Ever since Blake could remember, Ray Gaines was rarely home. Her mom, Emma Gaines, handled most of household chores.
With so much pressure on Emma, it led to frequent arguments during Ray's limited time at home.
"This isn't first time Mom and Dad fought. If Dad's job doesn't change, this is probably going to keep happening."
Blake looked depressed. As their daughter, she naturally wanted her parents to stay together and live happily as a family.
But some things were out of her control. All she could do was play peacemaker and try to keep them from fighting.
This obviously put massive pressure on Blake, especially since she was an only child and didn't have any super close friends outside.
Lawson showing up finally gave her someone to vent to.
"Lawson, what should I do?"
Lawson scratched his head, unable to hold back a question.
"Blake, haven't you noticed something off about your dad's job?"
Blake looked up at him in surprise.
"Off? What do you mean?"
"Like his income doesn't match his profession, or his social connections seem weird..."
Blake passed exams to get into Caltech. Even though Lawson suspected Ray Gaines pulled some strings, brunette clearly had brains.
"Now that you mention it, it is pretty strange! Dad makes way too much for a Coast Guard rescue diver, and people he knows are super weird!"
She didn't notice it as a kid, and as she grew up, it just became normal to her, so she never spotted red flags.
It wasn't until Lawson pointed it out that she felt strong sense of cognitive dissonance.
"Right? First time I met Mr. Gaines, he had this intense vibe. He didn't seem like a rescue guy."
With Ray Gaines's face, wouldn't he scare kids to death during a rescue?
More Blake thought about it, weirder it got. She bit her thumb in thought.
"Lawson, what exactly does Dad do? And why would he hide it?"
"How should I know? But I'm guessing Mr. Gaines's real identity is definitely hardcore."
Blake looked so cute deep in thought that Lawson couldn't resist leaning in close to her face.
Brunette's face instantly flushed red to her ears, looking like a ripe, juicy apple.
Well, looking at her body, she was definitely mature!
Just as Blake closed her eyes again waiting for Lawson to kiss her, her phone rang, totally killing mood.
"Lawson, hold on! Might be Mom or Dad!"
Blake opened her eyes, checking screen. Sure enough, it was Ray calling.
"Hello? Dad, what's up?"
"Yeah! Uh-huh! Just taking a walk around neighborhood!"
"I didn't go far! I know this neighborhood is sketchy, I'll be careful!"
"Huh? You're coming home tonight? What about Mom's luggage?"
"Got it. Bye, Dad."
Blake looked up at Lawson, giving him puppy dog eyes like she was about to be taken away.
"Blake, what's wrong?"
"Mom and I might be moving back."
"Moving where?"
"Our old house in San Gabriel."
Lawson chuckled.
"Scared me to death. I thought you were leaving LA. Isn't that still in LA County? We can hang out whenever!"
America uses a federal-state-county-city four-tier system. Anything lower like towns are basically self-governed.
Broadly speaking, "Los Angeles" actually means LA County, which includes City of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Burbank, and San Gabriel like Blake just mentioned.
These "cities" are essentially just boroughs or districts of a larger metropolitan area.
Blake bit her lip, looking at Lawson.
"You mean, we can still do this?"
"Do what? This?"
Lawson lowered his head, capturing Blake's pink lips, continuing to taste her.
Sweet, fragrant, with a hint of innocence.
He didn't let go until Blake was completely out of breath again.
"Don't worry, Blake. As long as our hearts are close, physical distance doesn't mean shit."
Blake, a girl who had never dated, stood zero chance against futuristic sweet-talk Lawson brought back with him. Her eyes glazed over instantly, and she buried her face deep in his chest.
After making out for a bit, Lawson eventually drove Blake home.
Otherwise, Ray might actually come looking for her, which would be massive pain in the ass.
Even though Blake was reluctant to leave, Lawson didn't really care.
Some food you inhale, but a sweet little cupcake like her? You savor that.
[Pacific Standard Bank Job Completed. Tallying...]
[Bonus Objective 1: Secure over $1,000,000 in loot upon extraction - Achieved!]
[Bonus Objective 2: Escape bank without alerting police - Achieved!]
[Final Job Rating: S. Gained 15 Underworld Rep. Gained 5 Card Draws.]
Another S-Rank!
As long as you hit all bonus objectives, you get an S-Rank. And it seemed S-Ranks gave better odds for pulling Trump Cards.
Back in his apartment, Lawson washed his hands, grabbed his phone, and started drawing.
[Acquired Nuclear Lighter!]
[Acquired $5,000 Cash!]
[Acquired Trump Card: "Ironman"!]
[Acquired $10,000 Cash!]
[Acquired Miracle Hangover Pill!]
He actually pulled another new Trump Card?
Lawson was instantly hyped.
[Nuclear Lighter: Fuel never runs out. Ignites in any environment. I am fire, cannot be extinguished!]
Ignites in any environment? Does that mean it works underwater too?
Lawson took sleek metal lighter to bathroom to test it out. It actually lit up underwater.
System rewards completely defied physics!
[Miracle Hangover Pill: Take one beforehand to completely ignore negative effects of alcohol. Replenishes daily! Drive safe, don't drink and drive!]
This was damn good item. Lawson frequently had to drink when out, but he still needed to drive.
With this, he wouldn't have to worry about DUIs.
Finally, most important pull—new Trump Card.
[Ironman: Your stamina and physical resilience have reached peak human limits! True iron men don't necessarily wear armor.]
(Blake Gaines)