Page 30 of Hot Ride

“Why not?” I challenge, warming to the idea. “I'm serious, Scar. You're smart, you're detail-oriented, and most importantly, I trust you. That's not easy to find in this industry.”

Scarlett's laughter fades, replaced by a thoughtful expression. “You're really serious about this, aren't you?”

I nod, my heart racing. “Absolutely. Think about it. You'd have flexibility, you could travel if you wanted to, and...” I hesitate, then decide to lay it all out there. “And we could spend more time together.”

The words hang between us, loaded with possibility. Scarlett's cheeks flush slightly, and I feel a surge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she feels this connection too.

“I... I don't know, Jett,” she says finally, but I can see the wheels turning in her head. “It's a big decision. And wouldn't it be weird, working for my brother's best friend?”

I shrug, trying to keep my tone light despite the butterflies in my stomach. “Only if we make it weird. Come on, Scar. At least think about it?”

She studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. “Okay,” she says. “I'll think about it.”

It's not a yes, but it's not a no either. And as I start the car and pull back onto the road, I can't help but feel like something has shifted between us. The air feels lighter, charged with possibility.

I sneak a glance at Scarlett, catching her doing the same. We both quickly look away, but I can see the small smile playing on her lips. Yeah, something has definitely changed. And I can't wait to see where it leads.

The tension from earlier has dissipated. It’s like we've crossed an invisible threshold, shifting from awkward road trip companions to something else. Something more.

Scarlett's humming softly to the radio, her fingers tapping out the rhythm on her thigh.

“What?” she asks when she catches me looking.

I shrug. “Nothing. Just... this is nice, isn't it.”

Scarlett nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yeah, it is. Who would've thought, huh?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Hey, I'm not so bad once you get to know me, right?”

“Jury's still out on that one,” she teases.

As the miles fly by, I find myself wishing the trip would never end. But all too soon, I spot the familiar landmarks of our hometown on the horizon.

“Almost there,” I say, a mix of excitement and apprehension in my voice.

Scarlett nods, straightening up in her seat. “Yeah. It'll be good to see everyone.”

“You know,” I say, breaking the quiet, “I meant what I said earlier. About wanting to be better.”

Scarlett turns to me, her expression soft. “I know, Jett. And I appreciate that.”

I take a deep breath, feeling suddenly vulnerable. “It's just... sometimes I feel like I'm losing myself in all this. The fame, the expectations. It's like I'm playing a role, you know?”

She nods, her eyes understanding. “That must be hard. Always being 'on'.”

“Yeah,” I agree, relieved that she gets it. “But with you, I don't know. I feel like I can just be me. The real me.”

Scarlett's quiet for a moment, and I worry I've said too much. But then she smiles, a genuine, warm smile that makes my heart skip. “I like the real you, Jett. He's pretty great.”

The words wash over me, filling me with a warmth I can't quite explain. We fall back into silence, but it's different now. Charged with something I'm not ready to name.

As the miles fly by, we start reminiscing about old times. Scarlett recalls embarrassing stories from my awkward teen years, and I retaliate with tales of her dorky phase. We're laughing so hard I have to pull over at one point, tears streaming down our faces.

“God,” Scarlett gasps, wiping her eyes, “I haven't laughed like that in ages.”

I grin at her, feeling lighter than I have in years. “Me neither. We should do this more often.”

She raises an eyebrow. “What, take road trips together?”

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