Page 72 of This I Promise You
“I’m sure Ty would prefer you pay attention to him,” I remind him.
“I know, but Iamtaking my computer.” Aidan pats the front compartment on his single suitcase. “Just in case I need it.”
“You’re not going toneedit, but okay. I’ll be watching you.”
He snickers but doesn’t bother saying anything back.
A few minutes later we walk out into the cool air toward Huxley’s little Prius. Crazily enough she has the biggest car of the four of us. Mine is tiny, plus I’m scared it might not make it to the coast with us all in it. Paul’s isn’t much bigger, and Aidan’s Mustang definitely isn’t made for fiveandluggage. And come to think of it, I don’t know what Devina drives, but it must not be big for us to be packing five people in this thing.
“Belle!” Paul pops out of the back seat and rushes me in a hug.
It’s weird to think just a few weeks ago the idea of him touching me would have sent me into a rage, and now it’s basically all I want. He grabs my suitcase and leads me to the car.
“Babe.” I peck him on the cheek.
“Want to help with mine, too?” Aidan holds his suitcase out and Paul’s face skews into amusement, but he doesn’t take it. “Okay. Fine.”
“You’ll have your man at the beach,” I tell him.
“Yeah, yeah.” He waits behind Paul as he literally stuffs my suitcase in the trunk like a game of Tetris.
“Y’all ready for this?” Huxley yells out her window.
“Hell yeah!” I hoot, while Aidan throws his hand up with a mock grin and feigns excitement.
He’s excited to see Ty, not for the trip down. Can’t say I blame him. The two of us are going to be packed in Huxley’s back seat like sardines with Paul. It doesn’t matter that none of us are big, the back seat is tiny. I swear if I get a cramp in my leg I’m going to hurt someone.
Aidan gets in on the driver’s side, and I open the passenger door to slide in, but Paul stops me and kisses me on the cheek. I smile and look into his eyes for a short second before pecking him on the lips.
Patience, Easton.There will be plenty of time for more when we get to the beach.
We slide in and scrunch up close together. I’m stuck between Aidan and Paul, my legs spread around this big blue cooler with a white lid that better be filled with cold drinks and snacks. That was Paul’s job, so I will have words if it isn’t. Huxley cranes her neck around her seat and looks at each of us in turn, and then her girl, Devina.
“So I’ve decided by my own royal decree that we shall begin the drive playlist with, drumroll please…” And Devina actually starts one while the entire back seat stares blankly. “Seriously, y’all are no fun. It’s Easton’s. We’re starting with Easton’s.”
“Yes!” I fist pump the air, as she taps her phone and a Kacey Musgraves song, “Space Cowboy”, comes on. It’s not my favorite but it works.
All at once everyone in the car, besides me, says a simultaneous, “Ugh!”
“Oh, come on!” I roll my eyes.
“This is going to be a long-ass three hours.” Paul shakes his head.
“But you…like me, so it’s okay.” Ooh! I almost slipped.
Not going to lie, I’ve thought about it a lot, but no. I’m not there. I adore him, I absolutely adore him, but that’s a step I’m a little horrified to make.
I tuck the thought in the back of my mind and focus on the twang in the song they all hate.
“Yeah, yeah,” Paul says.
“What about us?” Huxley says, pulling out of the school.
“Too bad.”
Paul
Friends and Family
