What could go wrong when taking a road trip, alone, across the USA after a break up? Well, I can answer that for you.
Your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. That's what could happen. The universe is really out to get me, these days.
That is...
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May 11, 2022
We drive further into the countryside, if that's even possible, to where the bonfire is. A few cars are lined up in the grass, not even 10 feet from where a small group of people are sitting around the fire. I assume that we are going to be the last ones that are going to show up here, not sorry at all for losing track of time.
Making our way over to the fire I see Julian, Preston, a woman with blonde hair matching Julian's, who I presume to be Lola, and a man with what could be ginger hair, but could also be brown when not illuminated solely by a campfire, who I guess to be Seth. I let James lead the way, but follow closely behind him.
"Hey guys." Everyone raises their head in acknowledgment at the sound of James's voice. "Seth, Lola, this is Elle. My roommate for a few weeks," James introduces me. Lola excitedly rushes over and sweeps me up into a hug.
"Hi! It's so nice to have another girl around, even if it is just for a short time," Lola squeals, excited. I laugh and hug her back, thankful for the warm welcome.
"We were about to start a game of Never Have I Ever if you guys want in," Julian informs me and James.
"Sure," James tells the group. I greet Seth, who welcomes me into the group happily, before we all settle down onto the logs we are using as seating. I end up sharing a log with Julian. Next to us, Lola and Seth share a log, and across from us, Preston and James share the last log. We all pick up a beer and get ready for the game.
"Ok, so the rules. If you have done it, you drink, and if you haven't done it, don't drink. Simple, easy. Also no lying or repeating the same exact question. You can only say things that you've never done. First person to 11 drinks wins," Preston explains. We all nod in agreement.
"Elle can go first," Julian smiles at me. Ugh I hate being out on the spot. It's okay though, I can wing it.
"Ummm...never have I ever been black out drunk," I start. Everyone takes a drink. I look around, astonished.
"There wasn't much else to do growing up," Seth explains casually.
"My turn," Lola squeals. "Never have I ever eaten a bug." All of the boys take a drink and me and Lola share a disgusted look. The game continues on like this for a few more rounds until Preston wins. I only took 4 drinks, James took 7, Lola took 8, Julian and Seth tie for second at 10.
"Okay, we are all adults so let's make this a little more interesting," Julian says, drawing out the last word while looking directly at me. I don't think too much about it as the next game starts, Preston going first because he won.
"Never have I ever had sex in public." I take a drink and everyone's eyes shoot to me.
"What," I shrug my shoulders casually, "live a little."
James goes next, "never have I ever hooked up with the same person more than three times." He looks at me as I take a little sip with everyone else. I want to say something to him but am stopped when Julian takes his turn.
"Never have I ever hooked up with someone in a car." Everyone but me and Julian take a drink. My lack of movement catches Julian's attention as he leans over, putting his hand on my knee as he whispers in my ear, "maybe we can mark it off of the list together." I laugh it off, a little uncomfortable, and push him back, while shaking my head. I turn my head, fully ready to ignore Julian's drunk behavior, and see James's eyes focused on Julian's hand on my knee. The moment Julian moves his hand, James's eyes move up to meet mine.
Are you okay, James mouths to me. I nod my head and give him my best reassuring smile, but it does little to ease James.
No one else seems to notice our moment as the game continues on like normal, James's eyes flicking over to me every few seconds.
We are on our last question, my turn. I think carefully about what I want to say, everyone waiting to find out if they will be the winner.
"Never have I ever had sex while on my period." I say knowing full well that none of the guys can win because of the wording of my question. Lola jumps up while taking a drink and squealing triumphantly.
"Hahaha, LOSERS," She points to each of the guys while cheering. I laugh and stand as she rushes over to hug me, not gloating about her win to me. Over her shoulder I catch James watching me, concern etched into his features, despite me doing my best to ease his worries.
"I think it's time we head back to the house. It's pretty late," James tells the group.
"Come on, we haven't even had s'mores or hotdogs yet," Preston complains.
"Yeah, you can't leave early," Lola and Julian soon in. Seth just shakes his head and walks over to take Lola's hand with his.
"Rain check," James explains as I make my way over to him.
"Fine," Lola concedes, "but we have to go out to lunch soon! Elle and I are now best friends for life and that will give her the chance to meet Sierra!"
Sierra is Lola and Seth's baby which I found out when Preston went for a low blow by saying "never have I ever had a kid." I also found out that Seth is the mayor of Alder when James said, "never have I ever been town mayor" and Seth took a drink.
Me and James agree to lunch with Seth, Lola, and Sierra before saying our goodbyes and making our way to the truck. As soon as the doors are closed, James turns to me.
"Are you sure you are okay?" I smile at him and take his hand, giving it a squeeze.
"I'm positive. He was just drunk. It's nothing I haven't seen before and nothing I can't handle."
"You shouldn't have to handle it," he says seriously. I nod my head in agreement, before turning to face forward.
James lets go of my hand, taking his familiar warmth with him, leaving my hand cold and me a little sad if I'm being honest.
As soon as James shifts the truck into gear and gets us back on the road he takes my hand again, threading his fingers through mine. I look over to him, but he is focused on the road ahead, looking for deer in the dark. I happily take his hand in mine and rest it on the center console. He gives my hand a squeeze in acknowledgment and I squeeze his back before leaning back into the chair with a sigh, happiness radiating through me, starting at our conjoined hands.
