Page 71 of The Road Trip Romance

“I can drive,” Sophia offers, reaching for the keys, but I grab her from behind and toss her over my shoulder, a move that I’m greatly enjoying doing over and over.

She giggles and slaps my ass. “Tate, put me down.”

“No can do. You’ll be in the back with me,” I declare as Rex unlocks the car and we all pile in.

I set her down. “All the cool kids sit in the back,” I tease.

She rolls her eyes and climbs into the last row of the car, settling back into the seat next to me. We buckle up and Rex drives us toward the airport.

“You ready to go woo your woman?” Penn asks Jordan.

Jordan nods. “Yeah, all the plans are set. I even talked to her director. There’s a break in shooting in a few days and I’m going to whisk her away for a quick trip,” he answers.

Sophia visibly swoons and I sigh. She looks up at me and smirks, poking my ribs. “See, men can be romantic. Take notes, Anders.”

I lean in so only she can hear me while Penn asks about where they are going, and Jordan starts talking about Hawaii. “I think I was very romantic this morning, twice.”

She blushes and I kiss her forehead. We lean back and listen to Jordan’s vacation plans, and before we know it, we’re pulling up to the airport.

Rex parks the car, and we all get out as Jordan grabs his bag. “It was real, dude,” Penn says as he hugs him and claps his back.

“Bon voyage, motherfucker,” Rex says as he leans in for a similar hug.

I’m next. “Thanks, man. For everything. Give Alisha a big hug for me,” I say quietly as I embrace my friend.

“I will. Maybe less mental breakdowns but more cross-country trips? Oh, and next time you pummel an asshole director, make sure you call us for backup beforehand,” he suggests. I chuckle as I pull back, leaving Sophia standing in front of Jordan.

“Safe travels,” she says as she leans up and he takes her in his arms, lifting her off the ground as they embrace.

“You’re the best, M. I look forward to our next adventure and introducing you to Alisha,” he says as he sets her back down.

She’s blushing and doesn’t say anything but nods a response.

“OK, asswipes…and Sophia. It’s been real. Wish me luck,” he adds and we all wave as we watch him walk inside.

“Last stop, Maryland,” Sophia says quietly.

“All aboard,” Rex adds as he gets back in the car. As we pull away, all of us looking back at the airport, I can’t help wondering what’s next. We’ve been so focused on this trip for a week, that my mind for once hasn’t wondered about the future. I look down at Sophia who is resting her head on my shoulder. I know in my heart what I want my future to look like. And for once, I’m not nervous or anxious about it. I just want it to start now.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

Sophia

We make it back to Maryland in record time with only one stop. We’re only about an hour from my house when all our phones seem to simultaneously begin pinging with messages. Tate’s rings and a sinking feeling begins to form in my belly.

I sit up as Tate answers his phone.

“Carol, calm the fuck down. What? Oh, fuck. Seriously? When? Hold on,” he says, his voice filled with tension.

I look at my phone and see a message from Marti.

Marti: Call me! NOW! DO NOT LOOK AT THE INTERNET!

Fuck.

“What’s going on?” I ask as I press call on Marti’s name.

“Tabloids,” Tate says as he opens the browser on his phone. I don’t have a chance to look before Marti picks up.

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