Page 1 of The Wrong Drive

Chapter 1

Emersyn

Thirty-two minutes to the cabin.

The radio blares an indie alternative song in my truck, and I tap my fingers against the steering wheel as I take in the desolate highway and snowcapped mountains in the distance. I check the time, knowing there’s a chance for heavy snow at some point today. So far, all there’s been is light flurries.It’s a good thing, considering my driving abilities in snow are questionable at best—and Adam didn’t feel like he could wait for me.

But…this is where my boyfriend grew up, and empathy isn’t exactly his strong suit. He can handle the weather, and therefore expects everyone else to do the same.

I frown slightly at the thought. Two weeks alone with him in the Colorado countryside is about to begin, all with the intent ofresettingour relationship—or something. Things have been rocky at best, and Adam was intent upon spending the time alone, saying we could bypass the holiday stress.

On the upside, I might actually get a white Christmas for once, since Oklahoma rarely gifts us with those. As I come to an intersection, my GPS chimes, breaking my thoughts and directing me to take a right, heading further north.

My phone buzzes in the console, and the music pauses with the incoming call. I see my best friend’s name, which is surprising. She should be at work right now.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hey…” Catie’s voice has a drawl to it that I don’t like one bit. “Are you close?”

“Um, sort of. Thirty-ish minutes to go. Why? Is everything okay?” I glance up to the rearview mirror, seeing a truck a few miles behind me. It’s almost eerie, but the terrain is a beautiful mixture of desert peaks and mountains in the distance of southwestern Colorado.

“It is, but…I think we should talk before you get to the family cabin.” Something in Catie’s voice causes my stomach to sink, and I brace myself for the news as flurries turn to flakes.

“What is it?” I ask, eyeing the wet spots on the windshield growing. I hit the wipers, my heart thudding uneasily with the prospect of driving into bad weather.

“I was talking to Aaron, and well, I know the expectations you have for this trip…” Catie’s voice is suddenly very quiet, and I’m wondering what information she got from her husband—who also happens to be my boyfriend’s older brother.

I blow out a huff of air, and a strand of my natural caramel colored hair tickles my nose. “He’s not proposing, is he?” I brush it out of my face, my tone sarcastic. “Seriously though, I have zero expectations. It’s fine.”

“Oh, don’t be like that, Em,” Catie urges. “I know it’s not fine. You don’t have to pretend like it is. I know you were hoping for something to change, and from what Aaron said, I don’t…” She pauses or a few beats and then sighs. “Ugh, Adam told him he doesn’t think it’s going anywhere, and this is just his last-ditch effort to show everyone he tried. I wasn’t going to call, but?—”

“So, three years, and it’snotgoing anywhere?” I exasperate, shutting my eyes for a moment, just long enough to steady mypounding heart. Iknewit. Iknewthis trip seemed out of left field, and here I was, assuming he was attempting to care. “He’s planning on breaking up with me, isn’t he?”

“He didn’t say thatexactly,” Catie says, her tone rushed.

“Well, but it’s not going anywhere,” I snap, shaking my head as the tears well up in my eyes. “I just took two weeks off unpaid for this.” I feel likesucha freaking idiot right now. This whole thing was all for show—to convince the rest of the world it’smenot him.

“You can still go and enjoy it…” Catie’s voice takes on an air of false reassurance. “I mean, maybe it’s exactly what the two of you need, you know? It’s been a rocky year for y’all. Maybe it’ll change his mind.”

“Yeah, it’s been rocky becausehenever wants to answer my questions about commitment, and I’m tired of it. I’m thirty-one, not twenty-one. I’m over the games of men who don’t know what they want, and here he is, telling me this vacation—which is causing me to miss out on time with my own family—is to help us reset. Really, he just wants the world to think he’s the good guy before it’s over for good.”

“So tell him that?” Catie sighs, sounding borderline annoyed. “You can’t keep venting to me, and never telling Adam this stuff.”

“Right,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. She’s always trying to play neutral, given that she’s married into his family. “I’ll let you know how that goes.” My GPS chimes at me suddenly to turn, and I slam on the brakes, almost missing my left-hand turn.Shit.The truck behind me blares their horn, and I cringe, shaking my head at my inattention.

“He was drinking when he told Aaron,” Catie continues. “There’s a chance that it’s just more drunk Adam rambling. You know how he gets on the guys’ night out.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I say. “I shouldn’t have agreed to come on this trip, and I definitely shouldn’t have assumed it might make things better.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Em. I didn’t know about it until Aaron met me for lunch today—and you’re mybest friend.Which is why I’m telling you to think about yourself for once. You deserve better, and maybe… Maybe you should call off the trip.”

“So, you’re sayingIshould break up with him?” I laugh dryly. “I just drove twelve freaking hours straight to get here. You don’t think you could’ve told me this earlier?”

“I just found out,” she pleads. “I’m sorry, Em. I really am.”

I run my hand over my face. “It’s fine. It’s not your fault. The signs were there. I know that. It’s not like I’ve been all that great of a girlfriend either. I always have one foot out the door anymore. I’m over it.”Lies. I’m not entirely over it.A tear slips down my cheek as my vision grows blurry with more moisture.

Ugh.Using the sleeve of my sweater, I swipe at my eyes, smearing my mascara. The sick feeling of heartbreak is already slipping into my gut, and now I have to spend two weeks with a man who only cares about hisimageand not our three-year relationship.

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