12 Where Are We Now? #2
How freaking dare he order me around? And why the hell did I let him get away with treating me this way for so long? I sure as hell don’t want to spend the next decade asking myself the same questions.
“We can still—” He chokes off his sentence. “What did you say?”
My breath hitches. “I said I’m not coming home. I’m finishing my trip.”
“After everything that’s happened, you’re still finishing your damn trip? What happens if next time, instead of a possum in the road, the goddamn engine falls out? Or the tires blow?”
“For the last time, it was an armadillo, not a possum. And if the engine falls out, I’ll get another one.” Shrugging off his excuses like a wet blanket, I finally breathe for the first time in months.
“Zoey, you can’t just ‘get another one.’ Engines are—”
“I don’t care, Damian. Nothing you say will scare me into running home.
” My chest tightens as I realize I mean every word.
“I won’t be back until I’ve spread Mom’s ashes in every one of the stops on that tour.
I don’t care how many auditoriums were torn down, or wallets I lose, or accidents I have, I’m finishing what I started. ”
“W-What about school?” he stammers. “Your mom’s cancer was the reason you couldn’t start two years ago, but now that she’s gone ...”
“She just died, you heartless asshole.”
He lowers his voice. “And I’m sure you’re really sad right now, but you’re finally free to start living your own life. No more playing caregiver. Hell, if you’re determined to spread her ashes first, come with me to the beach. There’s a whole ocean at your disposal. She liked Rehoboth, didn’t she?”
Damian’s words rattle around my head like pennies in a can.
“What is wrong with you? My mother died , and all you care about is what you think should happen next. You never asked what I want to do with my life! Maybe I don’t want to go to Penn State.
Maybe I don’t want to go to college at all!
” My voice creeps up another octave, and I draw in a deep breath before I inadvertently summon security to my room.
For two damn years, I’ve gone through the motions, desperate to keep my head above water while the tsunami washed over me.
Staying with Damian was the easiest decision in a sea of impossible choices.
I was lost and alone, and he was there. And for whatever reason, he wanted to be with me—maybe because I had no one else to cling to.
Well, I don’t need to cling to anyone anymore.
I’m finally standing on my own two feet.
“I can’t do this with you, Damian.”
“Fine.” He exhales in my ear. “Call me later.”
“Listen very carefully.” I speak slowly and clearly, so he fully comprehends this time. “We’re done. Over.”
“Are you seriously breaking up with me over the phone?”
The shock in his voice is almost comical, and I bite back a laugh.
“I should’ve done it a long time ago.” Relief washes over me, chasing away the bitter taste of disappointment. “Have a great life, Damian.”
“Come on, babe, I’m—”
I hit the end button, and the selfie Dash and I took under the giant guitar at Sun Studio smiles up at me from the screen.
I drag the neck of his T-shirt to my nose and breathe in the lingering scent of fresh laundry detergent .
.. and Dash. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but I’m ready for it, no matter what.
“Wow, you clean up nice.” Dash’s eyes light up as I slide in line behind him at the breakfast buffet. He focuses on my face, ignoring his Superman T-shirt and boxers hanging loosely from my slight frame.
I wish I could say the same for the rest of the breakfast crowd, openly eyeing me as I nervously tug the bottom of the shirt down my legs until it almost passes for a minidress.
I offer Dash a warm smile. “It’s kind of amazing what a shower and a good night’s sleep will do.”
“You aren’t kidding. I slept like the dead. That’s the last time I stay up for two days straight.” He piles his plate with scrambled eggs and bacon, then adds a biscuit and a scoop of fresh-cut fruit before taking his food to the table by the window. “You coming?”
I quickly fill my plate with a little of everything and join him, sliding my tote under the table by my feet. “I talked to my grandma last night.”
“Yeah?” He unfolds a paper napkin and lays it across his lap. “So did I check out?”
My lips twitch. “I forgot to ask.”
“Did you tell her about ...” He lifts a brow and grins. “You know?”
I choke on a bite of dry toast, coughing until the whole room stares at me. “No. What she doesn’t know won’t get back to Jeanie. She’d never let me live that down.”
Dash cocks his head to the side. “Jeanie?”
“My sister?”
“Oh, right.” He shoves a piece of bacon between his lips, chewing and swallowing before finishing his thought. “You never said if she was older or younger.”
“Older by two years.”
“Ah.” He nods like someone who’s been tortured by an older sibling. “You’ll definitely wanna take that story to the grave.”
“Definitely.” I slap a cold pat of butter on my toast and nearly tear the bread to shreds spreading it.
“So ...” He takes a sip of coffee and waits for me to fill in the blanks.
“Oh!” I lick butter from my finger. “I told her I’m finishing the trip.
I’ll hang out here for a few days while they fix the car and then head for New York.
So, I guess ...” My mouth goes dry. The thought of saying goodbye sits like a brick in my belly.
I know whatever we are has run its course, but I can’t help feeling the loss.
Oblivious to the emotions brewing inside me, Dash chuckles. “A lot of shady characters in New York. You sure you’re up for something like that without a bodyguard?”
“You mean a babysitter?” I roll my eyes and stuff a chunk of pineapple between my lips.
His smile curves up on one side, and he pins me with his stony gaze. “If the metaphor fits.”
“I think I’ll be fine. What about you?” The brick in my gut tumbles around like sneakers in a dryer, demolishing my appetite. “Where are you headed next?”
“Hmm. Haven’t decided yet. Maybe east?” He shovels a forkful of powdered eggs into his mouth.
My hands tremble as I nibble on my shredded toast. “Who knows ... maybe we’ll run into each other on the road somewhere.”
“Maybe.” He nods, and his eyes glaze over for a quick moment. “Too bad you won’t be in New York for the Fourth. Best fireworks in the country. My dad has a place there, so I’ve seen them firsthand.”
I force a smile. “I hear Hicksville puts on a good show.”
“No way.” He laughs. “You can’t even compare the two.”
Resigned to my fate, I toss the crust onto my plate and slump into my chair. “Maybe someday.”
“You know ...” Dash takes another bite of his eggs, making me wait for the rest of his thought while he chews.
“Since I’m heading east anyway ... and New York is your next stop.
And since your car won’t be fixed until at least Tuesday, if they get the parts before then.
Stuff gets lost in transit all the time. ”
Butterflies burst through my insides as I sit on the edge of my seat, waiting for him to get to the point. If he’s thinking what I hope he’s thinking, I’m ready to say yes. Come on. Ask already!
“You could maybe ... tag along with me?” His eyes stay fixed on his plate, as if his offer is no big deal. “I’ve got room.”
I snatch a strawberry from my plate and shove it between my lips to keep from squealing. “That’s true. That car is ridiculously large for one person.”
“So it’s settled then.” His lips curve into a dazzling grin as he lifts his gaze to mine. “Finish eating and we’ll go get your stuff from Mack’s. It’s a long way to New York from here.”