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“Right,” I say with some sarcasm, as Aiden starts the engine and drives through the parking lot, following the exit signs.
“Well, I’ve got a random fact for you,” I tell him.
“Let’s hear it,” he says, tapping the wheel.
“Did you know Saturday is the most common day to have an accident?” I ask.
“Good thing it’s Wednesday then. But I actually knew that. Perhaps we read it on the same website?”
“You find your fun facts on the internet?” I ask horrified.
“Sometimes,” he replies.
“Now, I’m worried.”
We banter on for a while, as Aiden takes us onto the freeway. The farther we get away from Charlotte, the wilder the weather turns. I’m surprised by how many cars are on the road with us. Given the gale-like conditions, you’d think people would stay indoors.
The wind is picking up, and it would appear we’re definitely driving into the storm. What have I done? Why can’t it go southward?
Our matchbox-size car is shaking with each strong gust. My stomach is churning with every thunderclap, and I grip my seat with knuckle force.
There’s so much rain hitting the windscreen, Aiden leans forward and squints to see the road, the oncoming traffic with its bright lights is not helping either.
Perhaps we really should have stayed overnight in Charlotte. Now I’ve put us both in danger by insisting on getting to Atlanta today.
I glance over at Aiden whose calm puts my troubled mind somewhat at ease. Does anything ruffle this man? Other than my boobs?
I close my eyes. Maybe I can sleep through this and wake up to sunshine in Atlanta. One can hope, right?
Well, that hope dies moments later when Aiden suddenly hits the brakes and my eyes fly open.
Hazard lights are flashing ahead as car after car comes to a sudden stop. After a few minutes, the traffic crawls on. “What happened?” I ask, breaking the silence.
“Accident, if I had to guess,” Aiden replies, turning on the radio.
A news flash comes on, warning of a wide-stretched traffic jam and long delays as ambulances struggle to get to a five-car pileup miles ahead of us.
“Can you please turn on the sat nav and see if we can take a back route to Atlanta from that exit that’s ahead of us?” Aiden asks, pointing at a sign in the near distance.
“Umm, are you sure you want to trust me with that? I’m the world’s worst navigator,” I say, nervous to give a repeat performance of the Scotland debacle. Though, had it not been for that, Rhia would never have met Lex.
“Well, you’re only programming the sat nav. No navigating needed.”
I roll my eyes at him… smart ass.
“I’ve stuffed that up in the past too,” I admit, feeling rather silly.
Aiden laughs at my admission. “I trust you. You’ve got this. And if you make a mistake, we’ll have an adventure. See, we can’t lose.”
I like his attitude. Rhia could learn a thing or two from him, but I guess we’re not on a tight schedule. If we were, I doubt he’d be so relaxed.
I play with the settings while Aiden takes the exit when we finally get to it. Of course, loads of other drivers have the same idea; so it takes a while until the cars disperse and drive off in different directions.
I have no idea where the sat nav is sending us, but I triple checked the target address, Atlanta airport, and I’m certain we’re heading at least in the right direction.
The roads are getting windier as we travel through a forest and into a hilly area which I’m sure would be picturesque on a sunny day. Right now, it’s rather dark, and it’s hard to tell what lies ahead.
There are still a few cars with us on the road, and thankfully, everyone is driving sensibly and keeping a safe distance. The thunder and lightning are picking up, and one hits close by as we reach an intersection. Aiden turns left, making me look at the sat nav screen, confused.
