Page 33 of One of Them Girls

I turn around in time and catch another car’s plate. “California.” I point at the car.

Jack groans from the back seat. “You guys can see everything before we do.”

“Maybe if you spent more time looking out the window, then at me you would have better luck,” Rebecca teases, making Xavier and I laugh.

“Idaho!” Jack calls out, ignoring her comment.

For the next hour we go back and forth calling out different states.

“Is it just me or would we have better luck calling out religious signs then finding the random non-Texas driver?” Xavier asks, tapping away at the steering wheel.

“Welcome to the Bible belt,” I quip as he pulls off the interstate to get gas.

“Thank god, I need to pee.” Rebecca sighs.

“You could have spoken up sooner and I would have stopped,” Xavier tells her as he puts the car in park at a gas pump.

“All good, city boy. I would have spoken up at some point,” she says before jumping out of the car. “Come on!” she yells at me.

I grab my purse and get out and follow her in. After doing our business and loading up on snacks, we get back on the road. I don’t know if it’s the people I’m with, but this is the best road trip I’ve ever been on.

* * *

“Cassi, wake up. We’re here.”I feel a gentle shake on my arm.

I don’t know when I fell asleep, but it always happens. There is something about being in a car that calms me to the point where I need to sleep.

Maybe my mom drove around a lot in the car with me when I was a baby.

“Where are we?” I groan and stretch.

“Open your beautiful eyes and look.”

I open my eyes and look around. It’s dark, but even in the dark, I can tell we are at the gulf. I smile big.

“Do I get another prize for guessing where we were going?”

He chuckles. “I kinda ruined the surprise, huh?”

“Not at all. I love the beach. Thank you for inviting me.”

He smiles warmly and whispers, “Anytime.”

“You two going to sit in the car all night?” Jack hollers from the door of a beautiful beach house.

“Whose house is this?” I ask as I climb out of the car.

“Jack’s parents own it. It’s their beach house. When he suggested we make a weekend trip, I thought you might want to join us.”

“Aww, you couldn’t picture spending a weekend without me, Avi?”

He shakes his head. “There’s that Texas-size ego, huh?”

I grab my bag, moving past him toward the house. I marvel at how beautiful it is.

The house is up on stilts with parking beneath. As I make my way up the stairs, I smile as I see the porch swing on the deck. I make my way over to the railing and look out over the dark ocean. Taking a deep breath, I savor the smell of fresh salt air.

Closing my eyes, I listen as the waves crash upon the shore.

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