The Fate of Our Hearts

Chapter 12 - The Drive

Gio's eyes flash, and he murmurs. "Lemme go tell Eddie I'm leaving."

I follow him down the station, and my nerves shoot arrows into my stomach, thinking about what might escape Alexis's mouth when she sees me and Giovanni together, but just as we near the group, I notice she's missing from the table. I scan the platform just in time to see her disappear behind the building with someone I don't recognize.

Yes!

The boys look over at us as we approach, and their conversation halts.

Gio scratches his neck. "Hey, Eddie. I'm gonna take off."

Eddie winks at him. "Okay, G, where should I meet you after?"

"Um," Gio pauses, looking at me, not knowing the best way forward. "Lauren's gonna drive me home to Bayfield... right now."

Jace has not missed a beat of this and turns around in his chair to face me, arm casually resting on the back of his plastic green chair. He raises one eyebrow high in disbelief. "Is that so? You're gonna drive him all the way out to Bayfield, huh?"

He mocks me in an exaggerated parental tone. Heat rises on my neck, and I shrug.

"Okaaay," he drawls, turning back around, then waves without looking at me, "Have fun." Then, he adds in a condescending tone, "Be safe... kid."

I bristle. Whatever! Like he's my dad! I try to ignore it, even though it hurts—his seaming disapproval. We turn to leave.

"Hey, I'm coming with you!"

What! I turn back around to see Eddie grabbing his backpack.

"Eddie, I think they want to leave... alone." Jace smiles but ushers a warning with his voice and eyes.

"I'm not hitchhiking back like last time—they're headed that way, and I'm going!" he insists, then adds with a laugh, "Even if I have to ride on her hood all the way there!"

Gio and I exchange a look, both dismayed and annoyed, but I can also tell Gio thinks we should take pity on him.

"Okay, come on, Eddie," I sigh, and Colin and Jace laugh at our sabotaged romantic escape.

"Aaaawesome," Eddie grins. "Thanks, girly. I owe you."

Gio calls shotgun, and Eddie rides in the backseat. My hands begin to sweat as I put the car in reverse, inching slowly out of the parking space like an over-cautious granny. I'm nervous to drive them, and not just because Gio is right next to me, which, okay, his proximity is certainly is not helping, but I'm uptight any time I have someone I'm not used to driving around in the car. I'm an okay driver, but I always imagine people judge me, and boys tend to be the judgiest backseat drivers.

A bit of relief washes over me as Eddie distracts Gio with light conversation. Not like Gio and I could have done anything more than talk in the and Eddie easily fill any awkward gaps throughout the twenty-plus minute drive ahead.

Eddie is already going through my tape collection and, deciding I have nothing he likes, reaches through the seats to adjust the radio to 97.7, which plays Today's Classic Rock. 'Need You Tonight' by INXS fills the car.

Eddie and Gio are now in a full-blown conversation about the 49ers being put out of the playoffs by the Packers. I can contribute nothing to their knowledge banter, but that's fine with me because most of my brain power is already consumed with the act of driving and sneaking the occasional sidelong glance at Gio.

He seems relaxed, while I most certainly... am not.

I sort of know where I'm going—turn left on Main Street and drive to the edge of town, then take a right on Bayfield Road, which takes you all the way out there... well... except it's not a straight road, and there are at least three turns to make to keep you on it. I make the first turn without asking for directions, but I have to interrupt Gio for help with the next two turns.