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 25, 2022
We get to the cafe at the scheduled time by some miracle. It's a quaint modern place in town square. Marble floors, wooden tables with plush chairs, and fairy lights overhead set the perfect mood for a Wednesday brunch. We enter the shop holding hands as always but as soon as I see Lola already at a table I drop his hand and rush to hug her.
"Hey, bestie," Lola greets cheerfully, hugging me back.
"I feel like it's been forever since I've seen you!"
"A week is practically forever," Lola takes her seat next to Seth as I sit across from her, James pushing in the seat behind me then moves to take his.
"Sierra, baby! Aren't you so cute in your little outfit today," I exclaim at the 14 month old in her high chair. She giggles and throws her arms up as I tickle her sides.
"Alright you boys go up and order. Catch up. Give us some girl time," Lola says, conspiratorially. The boys huff but comply, James giving me a kiss on the cheek before they step away, taking Sierra with them.
"Alright, girlie. What's up with you and James," Lola whispers as if people are listening in on the conversation.
I shrug a response, not wanting to tell too much
"No, something has definitely changed since the fair. I mean at the fair you two were acting all close, but now. Now, something has definitely changed. I mean there was a spark in the air at the bonfire too," she says the last sentence, thinking something out.
"We slept together a few times..." I trail off when her eyebrows shoot to her forehead.
She grabs my arm, squeezing it. "You've had sex and you never thought to text me it when it happened," she whisper shouts.
"It didn't seem like a big deal," I say, knowing full well what we just did and felt was a big deal.
"No, you don't get it. James is notorious around here. He doesn't just hookup with anyone. Like 4 girls total and he only slept with them once before moving on," she explains, still whisper shouting.
I sit back, letting the information sink in. Huh. I mean he already told me that, but it feels different coming from someone else. I shrug, not sure how to respond.
Thankfully I don't have to as James and Seth reappear with our food in hand. James is holding Sierra, laughing at something she just did, and I swear my ovaries nearly implode at the sight. Nothing has ever been so attractive.
I'm drawn out of my thoughts when Lola kicks me, smiling at me knowingly. I wipe my mouth, afraid I was drooling. "So how have you guys been," I ask Seth and Lola.
"Great. We had a fundraiser last night. Mayor duties and all. I was expecting to see you there," Seth says. I look over at James who just shrugs.
"We definitely would have been, but I was never informed," I stare between James and Lola, wondering why neither told me.
"Oh crap," Lola slaps the table, "I totally forgot to tell you. James knew though, so he could have too," Lola shifts the blame. I shake it off, storing it away to ask him about later.
"How is work," Seth asks James who explains it, but I have no clue what any of it means. Me and Lola zone out of their conversation and into our own, mostly gossiping.
"Elle, when does your teaching position start in New York," Seth asks randomly. I frown, completely having forgotten about it, which is crazy because I was so excited to start it.
"Ummm September 12," I say, trying to sound cheerful about it. "I'll probably start setting up my classroom like a week before though," I explain. A hand finds it's way into mine and I look over to see James wearing a matching frown.
"Where are you going to go after your car is fixed. Lola told me you were on a road trip before," Seth continues, obviously unaware of my true emotions.
"Yeah, I don't know. I'll probably just head back home. I don't feel much like visiting the last states anyway. I've already been to all of them before so I won't be missing much," I shrug, taking a long drink of my champagne.
"What are you doing for your birthday?" Lola changes the subject, giving me a sympathetic smile. I return it, grateful for the change until I realize that I don't know when James's birthday is anyway.
"Wait, when's your birthday," I ask James.
"June 3rd," he continues eating.
"How come you never told me," I exclaim.
"I don't know. I've never been a big birthday person. I'll visit my grandparents and grab a few beers with Julian, and Preston, if he tags along, then head home." Hmmm, before I go I'll have to do something for him. He deserves to feel special for his birthday.
The rest of brunch goes by in a flash, most of the time Sierra is in my lap, laughing and playing. I feel James's eyes on me the whole time and everytime I look over he is staring intently at me, smiling.
Once we say our goodbyes and part ways, me and James head back to the truck.
"You're really good with kids," James says as he starts the car.
"Oh yeah. I've always had a knack for them. I babysat when I was younger and I've always wanted my own."
"Huh," James hums looking at me. "How many did you want?"
"I don't know. I've always wanted a lot but that isn't a possibility living in the city. Not enough room for all of them to run around," I explain. "Do you want kids," I ask, genuinely curious.
"I've never really thought about it. Maybe with the right person," he shrugs, seeming occupied. After a few minutes he speaks up again, "if your kids had room to play....how many would you want?" I think about it honestly before answering.
"I don't know. 4? 5? Maybe even 6.?" James whistles and I laugh. "I said a lot. Didn't I?"
"You did...I love the number 5," James nods his head, still thinking about something. Considering the fact that he picks the number five for practically everything, I'm not surprised that he just confessed to loving it, but I'm not going to say that out loud. "When do you want to have kids?"
"Probably not until I'm older. 28 or 29 probably."
He hums, taking in the information. "Have you ever pictured having kids with anyone?" That throws me for a loop.
"Ummmm, not really. I never pictured how they would look or who the dad would be. Nothing like that," I look over at him, a look of relief on his face. "Have you?" I feel a little jealous with even the possibility of him saying yes.
"Nope. Never." He glances at me, "but I'm down for trying new things." My face heats up, turning to look out the window when he faces the road again.
