Page 37 of Stops Along the Way
It seems like the guys must’ve been having a similar discussion. “I can drive again,” Declan offers.
“It’s all right,” I say, stepping up toward the SUV. “Amelia and I already planned to drive next.”
Grady eagerly turns toward Amelia. “Does that mean you want to try the podcast I was telling you about? There’s a recent interview with that California congressperson I met. Their PR staffer has been doing some incredible work. I could probably connect you.”
There’s a glimmer to my sister’s expression that I can’t quite read. Not impressed, but not annoyed, either. Perhaps plain amusement? Yet she slides her weight to one hip and counters, “That’s not exactly the type of work I want to do with my communications degree.”
“Hey, it’s all networking,” Grady says.
Amelia reaches into her bag for the sedan’s keys. “You could also just take a nap.”
“Nah.” Grady walks around to the other side of our car, voice louder as he moves farther away from the group. “Passenger is supposed to entertain the driver on a road trip.”
“Except I’m more likely to fall asleep listening to you talk than listening to you snore,” Amelia says, waving goodbye to Declan and me as she opens the driver’s side door.
“Fair enough,” Grady agrees.
It’s nice and cool, with an overcast sky, which will make for good visibility on the road this afternoon, without the sun shining harshly in our eyeline. Since we’re only really doing essential stops for food and gas, we’re making good time to get to the hotel tonight, though it’s likely we’ll be doing some driving after dark.
With our siblings back in the sedan, Declan leads the way over to the SUV. He holds the driver’s side door open for me to squeeze in since this was such a narrow parking job.
Scrunching up my nose at the unpleasant aroma, I say, “You basically parked in the dumpster.”
“You were there. You saw what I was working with. It was the only spot available.” He gently closes the door and walks around to the other side, settling into the seat beside me. “You good?”
I have to adjust the seat and the mirrors and the steering wheel, and it feels daunting. “Huh. I’ve never driven a car this big before. Actually, the only car I’ve ever driven is that one.” I point to the sedan across the parking lot, where Amelia is reaching into the back seat to dig for something from her stuff.
“It’s really not that different.”
“Yeah, yeah. But, wow, really puts it into perspective whatdrivers are seeing when you walk through a crosswalk.”
“This isn’t even that big compared to a lot of trucks.”
“You’re right. All the more terrifying.” I adjust the mirrors one more time before I shift into drive and press my foot on the gas, accidentally lurching forward too quickly, right into the post of the rectangular metal parking lot sign with faded text about towing noncustomer vehicles that is two feet in front of us.
I slam on the brakes, which sends the SUV rocking back and forth.
“Shit.” I take a deep, steadying breath.
Declan lets out a nervous chuckle. “What are you, blind?” he playfully teases as I reverse and right course.
It was a little love tap to the signpost, with no obvious reason to get out to try to inspect for damage to the SUV, so it’s objectively amusing that I drove right into this sign.
Yet, when I don’t say anything, Declan continues joking in a lighthearted fashion. “What are we going to do with you? You already can’t hear.”
I let out a “ha,” my tone hollow, knowing for a fact that he doesn’t realize he’s just stabbed me right through my biggest insecurity.
Now what am I supposed to do? Get angry about a joke?
I stare straight ahead, driving incredibly slowly as I navigate out of the parking lot. It does take some adjustment to operate a different vehicle. “Sorry about that. Just need a second to get used to driving this. The way you parked, that was almost impossible to avoid.”
“Yeah…it was a really bad parking job on my part,” he admits.
I exhale, relieved to hear him say it wasn’t completely my mistake, but my fingers are still wrapped tight around the steering wheel, tension in my shoulders. “I knew it wasyourfault.”
My words must’ve come out harsher than I intended, because Declan is quick to add, “I’m just teasing.”
“Yeah, I’m joking too.” But I’m drained of enthusiasm for chatting. “Can you put on some music?”
