say yes. (dwayne hoover)

chapter fourteen

The drive back to New Mexico went fairly smooth. It seemed shorter than the trip there, probably because neither of them were talking on eggshells around each other.

They held hands while Ramona drove. They stayed in one bed together at the motels. They kissed and held each other in the night.

It was blissful. Everything felt new and exciting.

Both of them were just praying that returning home didn't hurt that.

After two, very tiring days of driving, Ramona pulled up to Dwayne's house with a sigh.

"Is it silly to wish that we could just stay in this little bubble forever?"

"No." Dwayne shook his head. "I was thinking we find a deserted island to live together."

"That's a good idea. Pull up a map."

Dwayne laughed and then sighed. He reached over and grabbed her hand, giving it a quick kiss. "Call me when you get settled at home?"

"Yeah. Same for you."

Ramona leaned over the center console and grabbed Dwayne's face, giving him a deep kiss. Dwayne sighed into it and laid his head on the seat rest.

"See you later," he whispered.

"See you very soon," Ramona whispered back.

Dwayne got out of the car and got his things from the back, giving Ramona one last wave before entering his house.

When he walked in, he noticed Olive sitting awkwardly on the living room couch, looking like she was trying to stifle a laugh. And then he noticed the ruffled curtains.

"Were you watching me from the window?"

Olive looked up and then burst. "You were kissing! You were kissing Ramona!"

Dwayne panicked. "Olive! Be quiet! Mom is gonna hear you." But then, he started laughing, too overjoyed by the fact that yeah, he was just kissing Ramona.

"Is she your girlfriend now?" Olive whispered.

"I...uh...I don't know." He hadn't actually thought about that. "Maybe." He should probably figure that out, right?

Sheryl came from her bedroom. "What was all that screaming about?" she started, then noticed Dwayne. "Sweetie! You're home." She pulled him into a tight hug. "How was it? Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, yeah. It was a lot of fun."

Olive was smirking, staring at Dwayne. He shot her a look that said you better be quiet.

"I should go get unpacked," he muttered awkwardly before retreating to his room.

Frank was sitting on his cot, aggressively writing something into a notebook. "Kid! Welcome back!"

"Hey, Uncle Frank." Dwayne smiled slightly to himself, walking over to his bed to set his bag down.

"What are you smiling for?" Frank laughed. "Who are you and what have you done with Dwayne."

Dwayne laughed softly and began unpacking his bag. "Still me."

"Good trip, then?"

"Very good." Now, Dwayne couldn't control his smile at all. He laughed under his breath and grinned.

"Jesus. You've gotta tell me now, kid." Frank bellowed. "What happened to make you so giddy?"

Dwayne shrugged, sitting down on the bed. "Me and Ramona...we....you know...we finally...," he trailed off.