Project Runaway ✔️

Chapter Four

Four

After spending the day with Tanner before leaving for Texas, the miserable truth started to sink in that I was leaving just when Tanner became single again.

Instead of dwelling on what could happen while I was gone, I focused on spending one last night with him. We planned on having a movie night, stopping at the store for candy and chips.

"Why did you buy the assorted bag of chips when we're only watching one movie?" I asked him, looking at him in the passenger seat with the large bag on his lap.

While sitting in the parking lot of the grocery store, I fixed the hula girl on the dash and fixed the rattling Coke can that bothered me the whole way here.

"I couldn't decide on which to eat, and hey, it can act as a second airbag if we wreck with your terrible driving skills. Besides, why did you buy two movies when we're only watching one?" Fair point.

"Oh, whatever. Maybe we can watch a sappy romance, that way you can cry out your feelings about your ex." I playfully teased him.

"Haha. You're hilarious."

"I can't believe you lied to her about leaving for the summer." I put the car into drive and carefully backed up, forcing the car behind me to wait for me to pull out.

"It was the only way I could convince her to leave me alone, and it might not be an outright lie." He suggested.

"What do you mean?" I raised a brow, looking from him and back to the gravel road. I pulled down the visor to block some of the incoming sun, it's rays burning me like a toasted bun.

"I may have told her I was going to Texas to look at colleges even when I've already been accepted to UL. Since you're going to Texas, I figured maybe I could tag along to make it look real. If I stay in town, she'll know I've been lying to her and she'll never leave me alone. I can't get back together with her."

"Wait, you want to come to Texas with me?" My hands felt limp against my fuzzy, blue steering wheel and I strained my eyes to pay attention to the road.

"Yes. I know it's super last minute, but I really can't stay a whole summer with Heidi watching my every move. You and I just finished talking about missing each other during the summer, and we don't have to if I come with you. I can join you at the wedding and keep you occupied since I know you hate your uncle's fiancée."

"Tanner, there's nothing I could imagine more wonderful than having you come with me, but my uncle will never let you stay at the house, and he's already picked someone for me to walk down the aisle with. Also, it's unlikely that my brother would be thrilled seeing you there with me as a plus one. You know Ryan loves you like a brother, but seeing the two of us share a room might be a little too weird for him."

"He's not weirded out with the fact that you like me."

My knuckles grew white against the wheel and I turned my face and tried to hide the redness creeping my chest. With one hand on the wheel, I played with my tiny cross around my neck to occupy myself on the busy road.

"I wish you wouldn't blurt it out like it's some boring fact."

"I didn't mean it to come out that way. All I'm saying is that I want to come with you this summer." He said, tapping his cut nails against the door handle.

"Tanner, you know if I thought for a split second you could come with me, I would take you with me. If it makes you feel any better, I won't be having any fun. I'll be busy with last minute wedding planning and worrying about fixing my portfolio." My portfolio was for an online website I was creating for my future career. I wanted to work in fashion, from all things business to maternity, and to show that even a simple pair of jeans can be dressed up. I had a knack for all things design, and I figured making a portfolio would look good for my future resumés.

"You're right; that's sounds boring, which is why I should come and make it better." He smirked, running a hand through his brown hair that became disheveled from the flowing vent.

"How about you be a man and deal with your ex-girlfriend the proper way." I suggested.

"But I don't wanna be a man." He griped, causing me to stifle a laugh.

"But you're gonna have to eventually. What's going to happen when the summer is over and she sees you're not in Texas anymore? Do you run away to Mexico?" I eased into a sharp curve, turning into my driveway, the headlights shining against the garage walls.

"If need be, maybe I will. I think I can find a nice job in Cozumel." I rolled my eyes, tucking a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear.

"You're too funny. How about I give you a head start and you can leave for Cozumel tomorrow instead of tagging along with me? I'll come visit you every now and then." I giggled.

"No, I'm tagging along with you and that's final." He demanded, blue eyes of pure stubbornness staring into mine.

"Bomp. Wrong answer. You're still not coming with me."

I had to get out of there before he gave me puppy dog eyes because then I was a goner.

"Oh yes I am." He said, slamming the vehicle door behind him as he opened my front door as if it were his own.

"What am I going to do with you, Tanner West?" Oh, I could think of about a million things to do with him, and his stubbornness only intensified my wandering mind.