A Cross-Country Christmas(6)

He rubbed his jaw. “I’m fine, slugger. I know this isn’t your ideal way home, but I’m a pacifist.”

She looked away. “I’m not comfortable with this arrangement. She paused. “I can find another way.”

“Okay,” he said. That probably would be easier.

She didn’t move. Had he called her bluff?

“I can look up flights,” he offered.

“No planes.”

“Oh, that’s right, Spencer told me you hate flying.” That was an understatement. According to Lauren’s brother, the last time she got on a plane she had a panic attack so bad they had to do an emergency landing. For a fleeting moment, he felt sorry for her.

She clutched her bag in her lap, looking trapped and miserable.

“A train?”

“Too late to get tickets.”

“Dogsled?

She turned to him, not amused.

“Yeah, you’re right, they’re probably booked too.”

She lifted a corner of her mouth and tilted her head.

Finally, a crack in the wall.

“Well, you’re here. Might as well stick it out.” He started the car. “But you are not driving.”

“Why not?” she asked. “I’m an excellent driver.”

“I’m sure you are, but I like to be the one in control of my vehicle.”

She glared at him.

“Or, you can stay here and tell your brother you’re going to miss the birth of his first child.”

“Sorry.” So, thank you and sorry both appeared to be physically painful for her. Noted. “I was expecting three days in the car, so this is going to take some getting used to.

“And you don’t like when plans change, right?”

“No. I don’t,” she said. “I’m sure it’s hard for someone who takes off on a seven-day road trip with no hotel reservations to understand.”

“No, I get it. You’re super uptight and don’t like to have any fun.”

“Can we go?”

“There’s something I need to do first.”

“We are so behind schedule.” She sighed, exasperated.

“We don’t have a schedule,” he said. “We’re going to take our time and enjoy whatever comes our way. I’ll teach you to go with the flow.” He could tell by the look on her face that was like convincing her to eat chocolate-covered ants because they were chock full of protein.

“I’ll be right back. I need to take a picture over there first.” He ignored her glare. “Then we can go.”

“What’s over there?”

“The end of the road,” he said. “Or in our case, the beginning.”

She sat, lips pursed, unmoving.

“I’ll just do a selfie.” He sighed. “I’ll be right back.”

He got out, shut the door, and silently thanked God for a moment of peace. This trip was already hard. Taking it with a woman who loathed him made it ten times worse.

But, even with Miss Baltimore Crabs in the front seat, he was determined to make the best of it. It’s what he did, and it’s what Spencer deserved. He’d never had a better friend.

He jogged over to the sign that marked the end of the historic road trip, a trip he’d taken once before all those years ago—before he messed everything up. Back when he took the people who loved him for granted.

If only life came with a rewind button.

He snapped a few quick selfies, and when he returned to the Grand Cherokee, he found Lauren still as a statue, staring out the window.

He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “You ready?” he asked as cheerfully as he could.

She stuck her earbuds in her ears, tapped something on her phone, and turned away.

Oh, yeah. This was going to be a great week.





Chapter 3





Road Trip Day One





Seven days? SEVEN??! Lauren hadn’t even truly mentally prepared for the three days she thought she’d be spending with Will, but. . .seven?

She texted her brother, hoping he could read how hard she was typing.

Really?

How did I end up spending my first vacation

in three years with your idiot best friend?

Did you know he’s planning to take a

FULL WEEK on this trip?





Did I forget to mention that?





SPENCER.





He’s been talking about this for years.

Glad he’s finally doing it. Keep him safe, OK?





Oh my gosh. WHAT!?

I can’t believe you would do this to me!

<mad devil face emoji>





Maybe you guys will be friends.





<pointed finger emoji> <gun emoji>

<gravestone emoji>





See you in a week!





Have bail ready for when I murder my driver.





About an hour into the trip, Lauren realized she wasn’t listening to her audiobook anymore. It had turned into evenly spoken words in the background of her focus. Will seemed perfectly content listening to nothing but the sounds of the road. Lauren’s annoyance about this whole situation, however, had morphed into a hot ball that turned her insides to lava and set her teeth to grind.