Page 8 of The Bro Pact
Getting started now. Too excited.
So stoked!
I tuck my phone away, say goodbye to Pops and my sister, and leave through the back door of the shop. The dirty, old RV is parked under a giant pine tree in the back lot, but at least it’s shaded. I stick the key in and turn slowly, afraid a raccoon might jump out.
It’s happened before.
Luckily, nothing but silence greets me, so I step up and climb in. Dust mites dance in the rays of sunlight peeking through the dingy windows. I cough, swiping my hand through them. It definitely needs to be aired out, but I gaze around at the open space in front of me, including a full kitchen, bathroom, and a king-sized bed. A slow smile curls my lips. This is nicer than I thought it’d be. I can definitely imagine Kyle and I living here for two weeks. Or longer.
It takes three attempts, but the engine finally turns over, rattling loudly. I pull the old clunker into the side garage that’s separate from the main one where Pops services customer vehicles.
I pop the hood and grab a wrench, ready to see what I’m working with.
She’ll be purring by the time I’m done with her.
CHAPTER FOUR
KYLE
As I step into the open garage at Moretti’s Auto Shop, I spot Ren’s black Converse sticking out from under the giant RV. I haven’t seen him much this past week, he’s been working tirelessly to repair whatever’s wrong with the engine, and I’ve been studying for exams.
I whistle under my breath, admiring the vehicle soon to be our home for a couple weeks. “Wow, she’s a beaut.” I was imagining a small pop-up camper that we’d pull with his truck. I didn’t know we’d have a full-size motorhome. “Are you sure we can even drive this big-ass thing?”
Warren rolls out from underneath the RV, climbing to his feet. “You don’t need a special license to drive her. You just need to know what you’re doing. I’ll teach you.”
I nod, continuing to examine the shining white exterior with an ugly-ass swoosh, beige trim, and oversized tires. I’m amazed that we’re going on a road trip in this, even though it’s probably older than we are.
“Check out the inside,” Ren encourages with an excited smile, proud to show off the rest of his hard work. I step into the clean and roomy RV, gazing around and taking it all in.
To my right are two worn but comfortable looking brown leather seats, and straight in front of me is some sort of built-in sofa bench. To my left, there’s a decent sized flat screen TV on the wall and a dining table in front of it. Past that is the kitchen, with the bathroom enclosed on the other side. And down a short hallway is the bedroom with one large bed. A king-size if I had to guess. Or whatever the RV equivalent is. Overall, it’s really nice, and I’m super fucking impressed with Warren.
“What do you think?” Ren says from behind me, leaning against the kitchen counter, wiping his hands on a grease rag.
“It’s nice. Likereallynice. I can’t believe you did all this. I’m fucking pumped for the summer, man.” Any lingering thoughts about Marissa seem to evaporate from my mind when I’m on this RV.
I’m ready to get on the road and leave everything behind for a while.
Ren’s smile grows, stretching into a full-blown Cheshire grin that always gets him in trouble. “Me too. I’ve got some fun things planned for us.”
I told him I don’t care where we stop along the way, as long as we end up in California so I can dip my toes into the Pacific. Neither of us have seen the ocean, and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of.
Ren’s usually the one to fly by the seat of his pants, and I’m the one who prefers a schedule, but this trip was his idea, and I’m going to let him run with it.
“As long as there’s no kidnapping, maiming, or death involved. You know my mom would be pissed,” I joke.
Ren chuckles sinisterly. “As with life, there might be an occasional possibility for injury.” His full lips quirk with his usual brand of mischief.
He’s the problem child, not me.
Always has been.
I narrow my eyes on him, wondering what he’s got up his sleeve. This trip should be interesting to say the least, and we only have one more week of school until we leave. That means two exams for me and one for Ren.
“I think she needs a name,” Ren blurts out, effectively changing the subject from his dangerous ideas. He smacks the RV wall with a sly smile. “I know I said no girls, but I thought we could make an exception since we’re sharing her for three months.” Warren winks at me, chewing on his tongue ring while he tries to think of a good name. “Hmm . . .”
I agree, the RV does deserve a name, and it seems like she might keep us on our toes. “Um . . . How about Carmen?” I suggest. “Remember your first girlfriend when we were thirteen? She was so fucking bossy. Hated me, too. I think she was just jealous of my best friend status,” I chuckle.
Warren throws his head back, laughing loudly. “It’s perfect. I completely forgot about Carmen. I had my first date with her too.”
