Page 122 of Hot Mess Express
Who am I left to protect up there?
It’s when we get back into the car that the rest of the shit hits the matrimonial fan. “Sorry about that,” says Pete, sliding onto his seat. “We hit something in the road, but nothing to worry about now. The spare’s on for now, and tomorrow I’ll just hit up that guy I met at the party—what was his name? Joel? Guy who works at the auto—”
“Petey baby, what’s this?” asks Juni.
Pete looks.
In front of her, the glove compartment is open.
Sitting on her palm is the small black box.
I stare at it, too, wide-eyed.
Oh, fuck.
“That?” chokes Pete. “That’s …” He’s petrified to the bone. His lungs are suddenly vacuums. “That’s my … That’s just a … it’s …”
“Are you …?” She looks down at the box, then back up at him, her bubblegum lips hanging open. “Petey … are you …?”
He grabs the box from her hand, then clutches it for a second, appearing unsure what to do. “I didn’t wanna do it like this. I … I’d rushed into your apartment so fast, I forgot this was out here. I’m so stupid. I, uh …” He clenches shut his eyes, panicking. “I …”
“It’s beautiful.”
His eyes pop right open. “What?”
“I looked at it. The ring. Anthony and I both. We thought it’s so beautiful.”
Pete looks back and forth between Juni and Anthony. “Oh, you did? B-Both of you?”
Anthony gives him a thumbs-up. “Real nice.” He glancesback at me with a smile. “Your friend’s got good taste.”
“Do you want to ask me?” murmurs Juni, turning around fully with her stomach pressed to the seat, fingers clutching the top. “To make it official? Want to ask me the big question?”
Pete almost drops the box. “Wh-What?”
“Ask me the question. Please. I dreamed of this moment. But, like, maybe on a beach instead. But it’s okay.”
“This isn’t a beach.”
“It’s better here. In this car. I like this car. And I’m with my best friend. And your best friend. Please ask me the big question.”
Pete’s eyes are shiny with tears. I don’t think I’ve seen the guy cry before. “O-Okay. I’ll ask it. Here goes.” He clears his throat and readies the box. “Juniper, will you do me the incredible honor—”
Her seat flies back suddenly with a loud cranking sound and flattens Pete with a grunt. The box flies out of his hand and lands somewhere in the dark.
“Yes!” she exclaims happily, forming a sandwich between her, Pete, and her cranked-back seat between their bodies. “Yes, I’ll marry you! I’ll marry you, Pete!”
“You will?” he squeaks back, sounding as flattened as he is.
“Yes, yes! I do! With all my heart!” Then she adds: “And I want to move away from this town and take you on the road with me!”
Anthony, who a second ago was happily watching their sweet proposal, suddenly chokes upon hearing Juni’s words, his smile falling straight off of his face. “Wait, what?”
“I love you so dang much, Pete!” she cries, throwing her arms around him, muffling his protests to lift her seat off of him.
Anthony catches my eyes in the rearview, looking stunned.
“Can’t believe she’s leaving,” says Anthony, standing in the kitchen with the fridge door open. He can’t decide what to drink. I don’t blame him. His mind is shot.
