by Seven Steps
Everything?
Either way, being stuck in a car for hours to sort it out makes me nervous and excited all at once. I don’t want us to do anything that will further complicate our relationship. We could barely keep our hands off of each other on the plane on Sunday. Would being stuck in a car be better or worse? I don’t want to make any more bad decisions. But, most of all, I don’t want to lose him as a friend.
So, by the time I get downstairs, I’m freaking out. A lot.
I run out into the cold night, duffle bag on my shoulder, uncertain of what the future will hold.
Then three of the four doors of a black jeep open, and, for a terrifying split second, I think someone’s about to kidnap me. But then I see her. Bella. Her curly hair’s in a loose bun, her golden skin clear and luminescent. She’s wearing a burgundy and white striped peacoat, black leggings, and high, furry boots.
Her hands disappear into her pockets, and her eyes squint nervously.
Behind her, Cole steps out of the car, dressed in a heavier wool coat, a knit hat, jeans, and boots. All black, of course. His steel blue eyes are clear and pensive. He stands close to Bella, his hands shoved in his pockets, his breath fogging in the crisp air.
I take a step forward, not sure of what to say. All I know is that somewhere along the way, I’ve forgiven them, and I want them to forgive me too.
“Bella, I—”
I’m cut off when she pulls me into a hug that nearly crushes my rib cage.
“I missed you so much!” she says, her voice cracking in the midnight air.
I hug her back in both shock and elation.
“I missed you too,” I whisper.
And I mean it. I really do.
“I’m so sorry about what happened.”
I rub my cold hands along the back of her coat.
“I’m sorry for being a jerk about it. I don’t want to fight with you anymore. I just want us to be the way we were before.”
“We will be. I promise.”
Relief and joy fill me. Holding Bella again is indescribable. She’s my best friend. My sister. I feel terrible that we’ve let such a stupid thing come between us. But I’m glad it’s over and we’re moving on.
Another set of hands wrap around us.
“I didn’t know you that well, but I’m glad you’re back too,” Cole says. His high-pitched voice makes me chuckle.
“Guys, we’d better hit the road.”
Eric leans against the black jeep, one hand on my door.
Our eyes meet.
He’s wearing a blue and yellow cap, with a black coat, jeans, and sneakers. A hint of hair has started growing at his chin. It makes him look older and so handsome. My heart tightens just seeing him there.
Bella, Cole, and I release each other and climb into the truck. Eric closes my door, walks around the car, and climbs in too. He pushes a button and the engine roars to life.
“I have to tell you,” he says, pointing behind him. “Those two are in charge of the radio. It may get all retro in here for a while.”
“You mean it may get awesome in here,” Cole replies.
Bella hoots in agreement.
We pull out of the parking spot and begin down the street as the car fills with music.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Bella announces. “It’s appropriate that we start with a blast from the past. I give to you ‘On The Road Again’ by Willie Nelson.”
“I wanted Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run,’” Cole argues. “But I was blackmailed into changing my mind.”
“How were you blackmailed?” Eric asks.
Bella shrugs. “I promised not to tell anyone about his Wiggles album.”
“Hey!” Cole cries. “That’s girlfriend confidential.”
Bella puts her hand to her lips. “Oops.”
“Fine,” Cole says. “For the next hour, I have control of the radio. And, just to spite you, I won’t play anything from the Disney songbook.”
“What? No. That is required travel music.”
“It’s lame.”
“Lamer than The Wiggles?”
“I have to agree with Bella,” Eric says. “The Wiggles are way lamer.”
“You’re a traitor,” Cole says. “Ariel, tiebreaker please. Disney Songbook or The Wiggles catalogue. Which is lamer?”
I bite my lower lip, already knowing what I’m going to say.
“Sorry, Cole.”
He lets out a huff and sits back, arms crossed. But I can see he’s not serious.
“Dude, were you really going to play The Wiggles in my car?” Eric asks with a grimace. “You’re sixteen and your father is a Russian mobster. How does one go from The Wiggles to the mob?”
Cole mutters something in Russian, and I see a flash of a smile go across Bella’s face.
“What did he say?” Eric asks.
Bella’s smile grows. “He says if he told you, he’d have to kill you.”
We all break out in hysterics, while Cole sits in the back and continues to feign pouting.
“I think we should let Ariel pick the music for a while,” Bella says. “Sort of a welcome back thing. What do you say, Ariel?” She hands me her phone. Her huge playlist stares back at me. There must be a million songs on here. “You want to play the song that will ride us into the sunrise?”
I think for a minute, then scroll through. I stop on a song and press play.
Phil Collins’ “Sussudio” plays over the stereo.
Bella screams and grips both of my shoulders from behind.
“Aah, you remembered!”
I sink into the leather seats of Eric’s truck and let happiness settle into my heart.
“How could I forget?”
44
We quickly make our way out of the city.
The car smells like a mix of Bella’s sunflower perfume, Cole’s aftershave, and Eric’s Sea Breeze body spray. It reminds me of simpler times, where we’d all hang out together and no one worried about who had hurt who.
“You haven’t fallen asleep on me, have you, Red?” Eric asks, grinning at me. “I’ll need someone to keep me up.”
I grin back, my shoulders relaxed, my heartbeat steady.
“No, I’m up. I’m too excited to sleep. And nervous. And terrified.”
He removes one hand from the wheel, holding it on his thigh and drumming his fingers.
“It’ll be fine. We just have to get down there and get you in that water.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know how I’m going to convince Coach Fish to let me swim. He’s already told me no once. What if he says no again?”
“Then you ask him again. And you keep asking until he has to say yes. You’re driving three thousand miles to compete. That would earn you an E for effort in my book.”
“I hope it’s enough.”
“It will be. You just have to have faith.”
I stare at him.
“Have you always been this idealistic?”
He smiles at me, then looks back at the road. His nose scrunches as he repeats the word.
“Idealistic? I wouldn’t say that.”
“You’re always looking at the bright side of things. You have this positivity that radiates off you. How do you do it?”
“I don’t know. I’m just hopeful, I guess. My mom always said everything could be fixed by either love or time.” A pleasant but sad expression settles on his face. “That always stuck with me.”
“And your dad?”
He scoffs. “My dad thought everyone had a hidden agenda against him. He used to say, I only trust three things in this life. You, your mother, and the fact that one day I’ll be six feet under.”
“Harsh.”
“Yeah, he was. My dad saw the glass half empty, my mom saw it half full. How they stayed together for twenty-five years is nothing short of a miracle.”
My stomach squeezes a little.
“I’m sorry about your parents,” I say.
He acknowledges my comment with a nod and,
for a while, the car is silent.
I imagine little Eric, growing up in that huge penthouse with only Alfred Grim to keep him company. He must’ve been so lonely. When my mom died, I had my sisters and my father, but Eric didn’t have any of those things. He only had himself. The fact that he’s grown into such an open and tender person is a testament to his strength. Adversity didn’t make him bitter. It made him stronger.
I wrap my hand around his and squeeze it tight.
This seems to breathe a little more life into him, and I’m glad for it.
“How was the twins’ party?” he asks.
I fill him in on my family happenings. Adella and Alana’s party, Duckie and James, and father’s irrational behavior. He listens carefully, offering comments and observations, but not judging us. We talk in quiet tones until the sky lightens, catching up on what we’ve been missing in each other’s lives.
It’s nice not to talk to him through a video game screen. Our joined hands, the rising sunlight, and the quiet of the car makes me comfortable, and before long, I’m gabbing my head off while he laughs, teases, and allows me to speak my mind.
By the time the sun has cleared the horizon, we’re in Washington, passing the Capitol Building.
Jerk my chin toward it.
“Have you ever been there?”
“To the national mall? Sure. Lots of times. I am heir to one of the largest exporting businesses in the country. The business council and I have a lot to talk about.”
“My dad goes every month too. He keeps saying he’ll take me one day.”
“That one day is coming soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who do you think is going to be standing behind your dad and Meghan Stonewall when they take the Triton-Stonewall Business Academy national?”
My eyes bulge.
“The president?”
“And the graduating class, don’t forget. You really should look at the information packets.”
I sigh.
“But I won’t be in the graduating class. I’ve failed every test and homework assignment since we started. I’m doomed.”
“Well, lucky for you, you happen to be sitting next to the man holding the third highest grade in the class.”
My mouth falls open.
“No way. You understand that crap?”
“Based on my test scores, yes.”
“How is that possible? You hate that class as much as I do.”
“That may be true. But just because you hate something doesn’t mean you can’t do well in it.”
“For me it does.”
“Well, not anymore. From now on, I’ll be your official tutor.”
I lean my head back against the seat.
“I’ve never needed a tutor for anything.”
“Until today.”
I peek over at him. He looks pretty proud of himself, sitting in the driver’s seat. I imagine sitting in his living room, studying for long hours, alone. That thought’s very tempting.
“I’ll have to think of a way to repay you for your kindness.” My lashes are low, my voice throaty.
Am I flirting with him? My cheeks redden, and I bite my lower lip. I haven’t flirted with Eric since I’ve met him. Now, it comes so natural. We’re so natural.
His hand squeezes mine.
“Right now, this is enough.”
I coo. Our relationship’s heading to new, gentle waters, and I don’t want to rock the boat by jumping head first into the unfamiliar.
His phone dings, and his brows furrow, rounding a little in alarm.
My own heartbeat starts to pick up.
Who could be calling him? My father, looking for me? Bella’s or Cole’s father? Alfred? The police?
I haven’t thought of what would happen when my father found me missing. Honestly, I haven’t thought past leaving New York.
He releases my hand and checks his phone, while simultaneously keeping his eyes on the road.
His shoulders tense.
“Is everything okay?” I ask. “Who is it?”
His lips press flat, and he puts his phone face down on the console between us. Then both of his arms grip the steering wheel tight.
“Eric, who was that?” I press.
He clears his throat.
“It’s Vanessa,” he says. “She needs a ride.”
45
“What?”
He sweeps his hand toward the phone.
“Apparently, the bus left her behind in Washington. She’s already called Coach Fish and told him she’d meet him at the hotel and that a friend was coming to pick her up and drive her the rest of the way.”
“And that friend is you?” I ask.
“I don’t know why she’d call me,” he says a little too quickly. “She texted me once to see if I wanted to hang out, and I said I was busy. I’ve barely spoken to her.”
“So why is she asking you for a ride to Florida? How did she know where you’d be?”
His palms turn up in a pleading look.
“I have no idea. I only told Bella and Cole, I swear.”
My eyes slide to Bella and Cole, still asleep, wrapped in each other’s arms. Neither of them are friends with Vanessa. They wouldn’t tell.
“Did you tell anyone?” he asks.
“No, I—” Then I remember. I’ve texted Sophia and told her my plans. I needed someone on the outside to know what was going on. Has she told Vanessa?
“You did tell someone?” Eric asks.
I nod.
His eyes return to the road, his fingers flexing on the steering wheel.
“Well, I can’t just leave her there alone,” he mutters. “Something could happen to her.”
She should have thought about that before she decided to maroon herself in a convenience store.
Still, I’m not completely heartless. If I convinced Eric to leave Vanessa there, and something happened to her, I’d feel responsible. I sigh, knowing I’m doing far more for Vanessa than she’d ever do for me.
“She’s sitting in the back,” I say, crossing my arms.
“Yeah,” Eric replies, but he doesn’t say anything more after that.
A dark cloud hangs over us for the next thirty minutes while we track down the store Vanessa has managed to get herself stuck at.
During that time, Bella and Cole wake up, though sleep still clings to their eyes.
“Are we there yet?” Bella asks.
Eric scoffs.
“Not even close.”
∞∞∞
“Eric!” Vanessa runs into Eric’s arms are if he’s her own personal savior. She’s dressed in jeans, a sweater, and a coat. Her hair is curled and her makeup is flawless. Marooned my butt. She’s planned this little stunt. No one goes on a bus trip wearing blush.
“Oh, thank God. I didn’t know what would happen.”
I chew on a stick of gum and stand between Bella and Cole.
“Hey, Vanessa,” Eric says.
“I came in to use the bathroom and when I came out, the bus was gone. I was terrified, but you were the first person I could think to call.” She bats her heavily lined eyes up at him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“No problem. We were just heading your way.”
She hooks herself onto Eric’s arm, then she looks at me.
“I heard you were heading down to Florida so Ariel could watch the competition. Lucky for me, huh?”
I glare at her so hard my vision blurs.
“Yeah,” Eric says. “Lucky.”
“Well, then, let me grab a few things, and we’ll jump in the car and get me to that swim meet. Just a few more months until the Olympics, you know.” She slides her eyes back to Eric. “Did I ever tell you I was an Olympic champion?”
I watch as Vanessa leads Eric around the store, piling his arms high with soda, chips, cookies, candy, and water before finally dropping it all at the cash register.
I jam my fist in my coat pocket and silently seethe.
&n
bsp; Bella nudges me.
“Lucky for me, huh,” she says in a light, high-pitched voice like Vanessa’s. “She set this whole thing up. We should’ve kept driving and left her butt here.”
“We couldn’t do that. What if she got hurt?”
“Then she should’ve stayed on the bus in the first place.” She snatches a few bags of chips off the black, wire shelving, while I grab a pack of Twizzlers. Cole pays for all of the snacks in cash, and we all head back to the car.
In the fifteen seconds between Vanessa leaving the convenience store and my own exit, she’s managed to move all my things to the back and sit herself in the front seat.
I swear under my breath.
Eric gives me an apologetic look and climbs into the driver’s seat.
“Say the word and we’ll pull her out the car by her hair,” Bella whispers.
I grind my back teeth and try to compose myself.
This is okay. I can handle this. I force down my jealous rage and walk around the car to sit in the seat behind Vanessa, while Bella and Cole sit next to me. Eric adjusts his mirror and mouths I’m sorry to me.
It’s okay, I mouth back.
I tell myself I’m perfectly fine with Vanessa sitting next to him, in my seat, for the next nineteen hours. Now I have to make myself believe it.
Vanessa opens a bag of pretzels and holds it out to him.
“Pretzel?” she asks.
“No, I’m good,” he replies, pulling the truck out of the parking space and taking us farther toward Florida.
An uncomfortable silence falls over the car for a while.
Cole’s the first one to break it.
“So, how about a little music?”
“I’ll pick!” Vanessa blurts out.
She reaches into her pocket, pulls out her phone, and starts to sync it to the radio.
It’s nearly six in the morning. My sisters are probably waking up about now. They’d expect to see me in the kitchen in half an hour. When I fail to appear, they’ll probably knock on my room door. Then they’ll call me on my cell. When I don’t answer that, they’ll send in the reinforcements.
Daddy.
I turn off my phone, sit back in my seat, and try not to think about the fallout.
46