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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
May 18, 2022
I wake up, startled to find nothing but darkness. My room is pitch black and the wind is knocking against the house. Rain is pouring down from all directions and I hear thunder in the distance.
I've never experienced a storm so far out in the middle of nowhere and if I'm being honest I'm terrified. Something about it is just very off putting to me. Lightning flashes, illuminating the room just briefly. Yep, I'm definitely terrified, I decide quickly as I tiptoe out of my room and into the one across the hall. I try my best to be quiet, slipping into the bed and under the covers, but James stirs. I curse myself hoping I didn't wake him.
"Elle?" James's groggy voice asks into the darkness.
"Yeah..." I say as nonchalantly as possible.
"What are you doing? Are you okay?" He shoots out of bed, earning a giggle out of me and relaxing my shoulders.
"I was a little...ummmm...scared...," I say, slightly embarrassed. He relaxes a little and leans back on his elbows, or at least that's what I think. It's way too dark in here for me to see him, which is disappointing, but I'm glad he can't see me blushing from the embarrassment of having such a stupid fear.
"Come here," he grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him. Laying down and letting me cuddle in next to him. "I'll protect you from the big, bad storm." I move away from him, slapping his arm as I go.
"It's not funny," I pout.
He chuckles, "you're right. I'm sorry. It's not funny." He pulls me back to him. I relax a little sighing into the silence surrounding us. "It's a little funny. You have to admit it."
"Ugggghhhh," I groan, throwing the covers over my head. He peels it off again, chuckling. "I hate you," I grumble.
"Oh come on, you could never hate me," he squeezes me tighter to him.
"I don't know. I'm starting to think it's possible," I sigh wistfully, knowing it isn't true.
James must know it too because I can hear the smile in his simple, "mhm."
"What time is it?" James leans over to check his phone.
"5am. I'll have to go check on the property and livestock to make sure everyone is okay. It'll probably take all day, but I'll try to make it home for a movie," he kisses my head.
I turn around in his arms so that I'm facing him. I trail my hand down his arm, "alright, but if you don't make it you have to make it up to me."
"How," James asks, playfully.
"Oh I can think of some ways..." I trail off, leaning in to kiss him, somehow finding his lips on the first try. He kisses me back. Slow and sweet, taking our time. I drag my hands through his hair, pulling slightly, causing James to groan. I love that sound. I wish I could bottle it up and keep it forever.
James pulls back, "I want to take it slow. I don't want to rush into anything."
"Okay, yeah," I say immediately, not wanting to do something he isn't comfortable with.
"There's nothing wrong with you if that's what you were wondering. I just want to try new things...with you. And that includes not rushing to hookup," he explains.
I wait for my heart to stop racing before I answer. "You set the pace and I'll follow."
His lips brush against mine just once, before retreating again. He lays back onto the bed, pulling me to his side. I snuggle up as close as possible to him, resting my hand on his chest, his heart racing just as fast as mine. His hand finds its way to my back, slowly rubbing up and down.
"Thank you," I sigh.
"For what?" I feel his chin tilt down to look at where I am.
"Everything. For helping me when my car broke down. For letting me stay here. For inviting me to the bonfire and Sunday dinner. For being the person I needed the most in all of the right times this past week." He doesn't respond for a while, letting silence settle around us.
He kisses the top of my head and finally speaks, "I should be the one thanking you."
"What?!" I almost yell, completely confused. "What did I do?" I speak more softly this time.
I can hear the smile in his voice, "for being you. For keeping me company. For filling a hole I didn't know I had in my life. For making this house finally feel like a home. For your car breaking down by my house on a random Monday morning." We chuckle at the last part together.
"I wouldn't change a thing," I smile, thinking of how great this last week has been.
"Me either," he agrees instantly.
We cuddle together long after the sun has risen and the magpies start singing, neither of us wanting to break this moment.
