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“Should we go eat?” My dad asked.
My mom looked up at him, fighting a smile. “Is that code for you’re hungry?”
“Yep.” He nodded.
“I have to return my gown,” Grace said, “and then I can meet you in the parking lot.”
Willow stepped forward. “I can wait and you can ride with me,” she said to Grace. To my parents she added, “If that’s okay with you guys?”
“Of course.” My mom nodded. “We’ll see you guys there.”
My parent’s and Linc headed off the field—and I knew I should follow, but I lingered.
“You don’t have to babysit us,” Grace laughed, eyeing me.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and rocked on the balls of my feet. “I knooow.” I drew out the word.
Willow giggled and exchanged a look with Grace. “Dean, I know you have a crush on me and all, but we’re about to spend a lot of time together on the road. I think you can be without me until we get to the restaurant.”
I paled and my mouth fell open in shock.
“Whaaa?”
Willow and Grace both laughed and linked their arms together before strolling away.
Neither seemed to care that I stood there frozen.
Girls were evil.
***
It felt like forever before Willow and Grace came giggling into the restaurant.
They both wore devious little smiles and I was a bit afraid.
They joined us at the table and picked up the waiting menus.
The restaurant was a local one, but upscale—with dark wood trim and stone. I noticed several other tables occupied by the graduating class. They were easily distinguishable with their youthful smiling faces and excited chatter…and the fact that many of them still wore their caps also made them easy to pick out from the crowd.
Once our orders were placed my mom turned to Willow and asked her about college.
Willow winced, but quickly pasted on a fake smile and spoke about how awesome it was.
She was such a little liar.
But I didn’t call her on her bullshit.
While fiercely independent, Willow was still a people pleaser. She didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
I admired that about her.
I also hated it.
When my mom asked her about our trip she instantly brightened, her smile morphing into a genuine one where her blue eyes shined.
“What made you want to go on a road trip?” My mom asked her. Before Willow could respond, a wistful smile crossed her lips. To me, she said, “Your dad and I went on a road trip the summer after I graduated college. We only headed up to Maine, so it wasn’t as grand as what you guys have planned. But it was still fun.” She smiled at my dad and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
Taking a sip of water, Willow cleared her throat. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I mean, I traveled a lot as a kid with my dad having to go on tour with the band—but I never really got to see anything, you know?” Without waiting for them to respond, she continued. “Most of the time on the road was spent in the bus, or on a plane, or in a hotel, or backstage. I want to explore and…” She paused, pursing her lips. “Find something great…be something great.” She amended.
