Page 33 of The Road Sometimes Taken

“Wherever, really. I just need food and some place to sleep,” she answers. Her voice is shallow, like she’s trying to stop herself from saying something she doesn’t want to. I need to get her out of her head and I might know just the thing. We’ve been sitting in silence for the past hour and a half so when I keep driving she doesn’t question me.

I pull over to park when I find the spot I’m looking for. It looks like a lot of nothing in the rain but I’m hoping by the morning it’s clear and we can watch the sunrise. I also hope she’s not going to yell at me for what I’mabout to do.

“Where are we?” Cara asks as I park the van under the canopy of trees.

“We’re staying the night here. There’s a bed and we have food, the two things you asked for,” I say nonchalantly, rolling the windows down slightly and turning the van off.

Cara rolls her eyes. “There’s one tiny bed in the back, Manny, you won’t even fit there.”

“I will, I promise. Don’t you have something on that checklist of yours called boondocking?” I ask with a smile, and when her eyes open wide and her brows furrow, I know I got her.Busted.

“Yeah but I didn’t take you for the kind of person who would do that so I didn't mention it . How do you even know?” she asks.

“What boondocking is? I Googled it…” I laugh and she does too, finally breaking up some of the tension.

“No, silly. How do you know I had boondocking on my list?”

Because I’ve memorized it,I want to say, but instead I answer, “I read it by accident the other day. Let’s just get ready.” I let her through to the back and as she goes past me, I notice she’s not wearing anything under her shirt.Fuck me.

The entire backseat area is as whimsical and cozy as her home. A mix of vibrant and pastel pink and purple flowers everywhere and cushions and throws lie on top of the fold-out bed in the far back. She shuffles some things around, pulls the sofa out, turns it into a bed, and then climbs on it. Book in hand, she pulls the soft pink blanket over her bare legs and lays her head on a couple of pillows and goes straight to reading. Her book has a couple holding pinkies on the cover in what looks like a campground and it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.

“How fitting,” I muse.

“What is?” she asks with a puzzled look, lowering her book so she looks at me.

“You reading a camping book while we stopped in the middle of nowhere for the night,” I tease.

“Ha, not camping at all. Actually, the female main character hates the outdoors but she’s trying her best.”

“Interesting. Are you liking it?” I ask, looking closer at the cover. Over the purple hues of the sky, there’s the titleA Lodge Affair by Rachel LaBergeright above a campfire and a couple of chairs. The cover is pretty and it matches Cara perfectly. What is it that she says? Heraesthetic, it matches her aesthetic.

“Are you mocking me, Manny?” she deadpans.

“I could never,” I gasp, my hand over my heart. “Remember I grew up with my mom, her library and Allie devouring books. I don’t love reading but I think it’s so cool that people can get lost in books.”

“Well, I love this one,” she adds, lifting the book again and going back to reading.

I take the opportunity to climb over the seats, cursing everyone who built this tiny fucking thing that they call a bus before making it to the back. What I should’ve done is ask her more about what she’s reading. What I should’ve done is even take the book away from her hands and set it on the table just so I can have her attention solely on me. Maybe even give her that kiss she tried to steal earlier and kiss her so deeply she’d want to get a new bracelet just so she can remember it, over and over again. That’s what I should do but just because Icando those things, doesn’t mean I should. So instead, I pull my laptop out of my bag and get to work instead.

1 Son of a bitch or motherfucker

15

THE BIG SPOON

SO HIGH SCHOOL, TAYLOR SWIFT

Cara

I reada couple of chapters and put my book down because I want to savor the end and right now my mind is spiraling thinking about the fact that I tried to kiss Manny. I want to slap myself.What the hell was I thinking?I wasn’t, that’s what it was. I got carried away by his warm skin and the way his eyes flared when he saw my body through my soaked dress. I got completely carried away by how his scent blended with the rain—my favorite smell in the world—and how he seemed to swallow hard every time I laughed. I hate that he has this effect on me. Making me lose all my bearings. And now we’re sleeping in this tiny van and I’m about to lose my shit with him so close and over the fact that I’m lusting over Allie’s little brother.

He’s sitting across from me, his feet crossed in front of him and his laptop on his lap as he types quickly. He looks serious and annoyed, and the only time I’ve seen this side of him iswhen he’s working. I feel sad. Nobody should get this tense and upset about a job they’ve invested so much of their life into. Nobody should be this upset about what’s supposed to be their dream. His hard work should bring him joy or at the very least fulfillment.

“Manny, why don’t you take a break from your job I still don’t fully understand?” I ask, jokingly and setting my book to the side and patting the empty spot on the bed. “Bring me a sandwich too, pretty please.” The rain has slowed down outside but it’s still enough that there’s a gentle patter dancing on the roof. It’s soothing, and watching it fall outside the dark windows is an awe-inspiring display. I love the rain and I love its sound. I could stay here forever and live happily ever after.

“Sure,” he sighs, closing his laptop and grabbing the leftover food from earlier and setting it on the bed. He sits on the opposite end and looks out the window. His expression softens immediately. “Do you want to understand?”

“It depends—do you love your job, Manny?” I ask, reaching for the sandwich and chips he’s handing me from the brown paper bag.

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