AllFreeNovel
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The only problem with driving on interstate was the patches of traffic jams that she ran into periodically. It was the worst part of traveling by highway. It was during one of those slow-moving periods that her best friend called to check on her. The radio automatically paused as she pressed the button to answer her hands-free call.
“What’s up bestie?” she answered the phone with her usual greeting when she knew it was Lattimore on the line.
“Hey chick. Where are you?”
“Sitting in traffic just outside of Roanoke. Why? Are you anxious to see me?”
“You know I can’t wait to see my girl. Let me guess. Right now you’re creeping in traffic with your yacht rock cranked up to one hundred, screeching at the top of your lungs. ‘Sailing takes me away…”
“Oh my god! Shut up!”
“I’m right, aren’t I? Go on admit it.”
PJ burst out laughing, shaking her head because her best friend knew her like no other.
“Whatever, asshole. I got nothing. I can’t even defend myself because you already know.”
“I knew it! I don’t know how you listen to that mess. It would put me to sleep.”
“Listen, I am in my car alone. I am not forcing anyone else to listen to my music. However, as soon as I get there, we are having a dance party and the DJ will play nothing but my faves. You’d better get ready for the smooth stylings of Christopher Cross, the Doobie Brothers and my boo, Michael McDonald!”
She rocked in the seat while singing ‘I keep forgetting…’ Her cackling got louder when she heard the loud groan come through the speakers. PJ imagined Latti covering his ears with his palms and closing his eyes. He always had something derogatory to say about her choice of music.
“Please stop singing. You sound like a wounded animal caught in a trap.”
“You know you love my beautiful voice. People say I sound like Mariah all the time.”
“Yeah, if she drank a vat of acid.”
“Fuck you, Latti! I know I sound good.”
The friends laughed at their banter. It was always like that with them. No matter how old they got, they always managed to fall back to the days when they were in elementary school. They had been thick as thieves since the day PJ and her mother moved into his family home. Her mother had been the Aston’s live-in housekeeper and his part time nanny. The kids instantly bonded over their love of books and orange popsicles.
“Seriously though, what route are you taking? I want to make sure you arrive here in one piece.”
“Right now I’m sticking to the interstate, but once I enter North Carolina, I plan to take the scenic route through the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
“Won’t that take longer?”
“Yes, but I need it. It has been a while since I’ve seen the fall foliage and I miss it.”
“I guess. Just don’t take too long. I need to lay eyes on you. Your room is all ready for you to get settled. I think I just might plan that welcome home party for you as long as you don’t embarrass me with your music in front of my friends.”
“That sounds like a plan, but no promises about my music. Let me call you later. Traffic seems to be moving again and I need to concentrate.”
“Alright, girlie. Be careful and I’ll see you soon.”
“Will do. I’ll call and check in on my next potty break.”
“Do me a favor and put on some DMX. That way I know you won’t fall asleep.”
With that, Lattimore chuckled and then ended the call. She laughed at her bestie. He was always pushing her to switch up her musical library. What he didn’t know was she had a love for all music. Of course she had DMX on her cleaning day playlist because he got her pumped up. She would leave him in reserve for when she got sleepy and needed to focus on the road. Just then, the lead singer of Player broke into her thoughts, begging his baby to come back to him. A mischievous smile spread across her face with her thinking how much Latti would hate hearing this song.
