Page 38 of The Road Trip Romance

“What’s what like?” I inquire.

“Being a mom, being married, having a family…that,” he states, motioning to two people who are now laughing as their baby kicks at the man’s hand.

I pause and consider my answer. “That’s a big question…” I trail off for a moment. “It’s…nerve-wracking; it’s wonderful; it’s scary; and it’s amazing.”

Penn glances down at me. “That’s a lot of things.”

I laugh. “It is. It’s…everything. Those two are starting a whole journey together,” I try to explain as I motion toward them with a nod of my head. “From the looks of it, I’m guessing they are going to be parents. They clearly seem like a couple in love.”

“But what is it really like?”

I take a deep breath. “Well, you leave who you were, or at least some of that person behind so you can be a different person, or at least replace the things you did before with taking care of a little human. It’s a lot of work and sometimes it’s frustrating or scary or exhausting, but it’s also rewarding and…there are these little moments, not every day but many days where this little being you created does something or says something and it’s like…the world disappears for a moment, nothing else matters but you and them. It…fills you up in an indescribable way.”

I glance up at him trying to figure out what he’s thinking. “Do you think you’d ever want that?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I don’t know. I keep thinking about it recently. I don’t know why.”

I giggle. “Is your biological clock ticking?” I tease.

He groans. “Haha. Very funny.”

“I’m serious. You’re known as this Hollywood playboy. Maybe you’re tired of that and want something different,” I suggest.

“Maybe, but that’s a pretty extreme difference,” he points out as he continues to watch the couple.

“It is. You don’t have to go that extreme. At least not at first, maybe try just dating one person for a while,” I offer.

“I’d have to find her first,” he mumbles.

“You have time, Penn. Open your heart up to the idea and maybe the universe will send you someone,” I state, wanting to be supportive of my new friend.

“You think?”

I nod. “Yep,” I say, letting the “p” pop.

“Thanks, Soph,” he says.

“Anytime,” I reply. I’m about to offer to be on the lookout for women when Rex walks up to us.

“They have popcorn balls,” he announces as he proudly holds up a bag.

I press my lips together to keep from laughing too much. “Yum,” I manage as I step back from Penn.

“What are you two doing?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

Penn shrugs. “Looking at corn. You think Jordy and Taint are ready to go?”

“Don’t know. Let’s text them. I want to get to Mount Rushmore before it gets too late,” Rex says as he pulls out his phone. I feel the buzz of my phone in my pocket from the group text we started. I give my head a little shake, still feeling like I should pinch myself to check if this whole road trip is some sort of bizarre dream.

My head is still leaning on Penn’s shoulder when Tate rounds the corner. He glares at Penn, and I frown. What the hell is that about? Maybe he needs a nap or maybe his head is hurting.

“You OK?” I ask him as I pull away from Penn and step toward him.

“Yeah, let’s get back on the road,” he mutters as he turns and walks toward the entrance.

“What the heck is that about?” I hiss to Rex.

“No idea. Tate’s got a lot of layers. Sometimes, he just needs a minute to deal with his life. He’ll be fine.” Rex pauses and looks down at me as we walk. “Any brilliant ‘grand gesture’ ideas yet?”

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