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JOSIE
“Nope. I’m not gonna do it.” My eyes snap close as I erratically shake my head. Am I being irrational? Maybe. A bit childish? Perhaps. But my best friend cannotactually think this is a good idea. “Sarah, there has to be another option.”
“Nope. You’re my only hope.”
“Look. I’d sail to the ends of the earth to rescue you. I’d even journey across middle-earth with a hobbit and scale an active volcano for you. Want to dive to the depths of the deep sea to find Nemo? I’m game. Need a kidney? I’m your girl.”
“So, facing your fear of what lurks unseen beneath the surface of the ocean is on the table but riding with my brother for a few hours is out of the question? Makes perfect sense, Josie.” Her laugh tells me she doesn’t fully understand the gravity of the “simple” favor she’s asking. Because there’s nothing simple where Ben is involved. She knows her brother is the bane of my being, the thorn in my side, the excruciating pain in my neck.
“Yes. Because those are foryou. But Ben? Nope. Best-friend code doesn’t extend to your mutant brother.” Sarah’s smile fades, her chin drops a bit, and her eyes remain on mine. “Don’t,” I tell her, knowing it’s pointless.
Because she knows. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for her. She just happened to request the last favor on this planet that I’d ever want to fulfill. Ben’s charming smile flashes through my mind. “Sarah, can’t he ride with you or something? Uber? Rent a car? Take a bus? Hitchhike? Someone who doesn’t know him would pick him up. They probably wouldn’t drive far before kicking him out, but he could just keep hopping in with random cars until he gets there.”
“Actually, you two are the only ones who can’t seem to be within the same space without wanting to strangle each other.”
“Exactly. So, find him a safe ride to the wedding, and I’ll find some stranger to pick up on the side of the road to keep me company.”
“Josie. You know Eric and I are riding with my parents since we’re flying out after the wedding. There’s no one else. I asked, trust me. And if he doesn’t ride with you, he can’t get a flight or rental until afterwards. And I really don’t want my brother to miss my wedding.”
“He could ride with you and Eric, and your parents could ride with me.”
Her head slightly tilts to the side as she keeps a keen eye on me. There it is again. That look with the puppy dog eyes that we’ve given each other a few times over the years when we were desperate. Although, I’d used it when I needed her to lie to her mom about why I didn’t want to go home one night. That had been more embarrassing than anything, yet Sarah covered for me. She was asking me something even more challenging now. And for my best friend, I’ll try.
“Fine. But no guarantees that I won’t be the first driver to boot his ass out on the side of the road.” I let out a defeated breath. A bright smile covers her face, then her arms wrap around my neck. “Thanks, Josie. You’re the best bestie.”
It takes a few seconds for me to return the hug. “Yeah. Well, don’t blame me if your brother shows up to the wedding hog-tied. Hey! That’s a thought. Maybe a little duct tape, gag, or sedative is the answer. If he’s gagged or comatose, he can’t be an ass.”
She only laughs in response because she thinks I’m joking. But given the option, I’d gladly wrap an entire role of duct tape over his mouth if I thought I could get away with it. I take pleasure in imagining doing just that until his smug mug breaks through my fantasy. I make one last desperate attempt to avoid my doomed fate. “Are you sure there’s not someone else he can hitch a ride with?”
“No. I checked. Everyone else either has a full vehicle or has already headed that way. Speaking of, I really need to get going. We were supposed to leave last night, but Eric insisted on going into the office for a few hours since we’ll be gone for three weeks.”
I’m happy for her but not looking forward to my best friend being gone for weeks. “Maybe I’ll wait until morning to head out. There’s a chance Ben’s truck will be ready if we wait, right?”
“There’s no chance it’ll be ready. The mechanic told Ben the part won’t be in until Monday since they had to ship out another replacement. Something about the one they sent was defective. He said he could take Dad’s old truck he’s been driving around, but we know it won’t make it that far away.”
“It could.” I try to sound optimistic, but I know the pickup wouldn’t be dependable to take on a road trip. And yet, I’d rather just give Ben my car and take a chance on the old Ford that’s been on the road for over two decades.
“Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to test out the truck this weekend. There’re two very important people I need at my rehearsal dinner tomorrow night and at the wedding Saturday evening. And I’d feel much better if they made the journey together.” She gives me a smirk. “Just think, it’ll make the ride go by faster since you’ll have someone todebatewith.”
“The only debate is how long it’ll take him to infuriate me before I put his ass in the trunk.” Another good thought that immediately brings a vivid image to mind and a smile to my face. His six-foot frame would make it a tight fit, but if he tucked and curled into a ball, he’d totally fit. And the more I picture his smug face, the more I want to shove his stupidly muscular body—along with his massive ego—in the trunk and far out of sight. Because every time Ben is anywhere near, it ends in utter disaster.
