“She knew who I was.” I said, quietly.
“So he told his mom about you? I mean, she probably asked who he'd be traveling with.”
“You're probably right.” I agreed.
“I usually am.”
Owen tossed his bag, and guitar case into the back of the truck before climbing into the backseat. He chose to sit in the center, so that it would be easier to talk to us both I assumed. I started the engine, and when I turned to back out of the driveway he winked at me. I rolled my eyes pretending that he didn't get to me, but I think we both knew otherwise.
“Thanks again.” He said.
“You're welcome.” I said, just as I backed out onto the road.
“Do you always drive?”
“Well, it is my truck.”
“If you ever need a break, I'm a pretty good driver.”
“As long as you're not driving from the backseat, we'll be just fine.”
Morgan pulled her map from her purse then, and began to unfold it over the dashboard. I glanced over at her briefly, before passing my phone back to Owen.
“Do me a favor. While Magellan here looks over our route, see if there are any hotel vacancies in Maryland near Ocean City, and set the course.”
“I know how to read a map!” Morgan said, with frustration.
“I'm not doubting you. It's just that google knows all the construction detours.”
Owen laughed from the backseat as he got to work on what I'd asked, and Morgan pouted dramatically. She reminded me of a toddler who didn't get her way, and I let out a little laugh of my own.
“Is this how it's going to be the entire trip?” She asked with a hmph. “The two of you ganging up on me?”
“Relax.” I said, reaching for her hand. “It's all in good fun.”
She smiled as she squeezed my hand in hers, and all was right in the world again. For someone as self confidant as Morgan, she tended to need a lot of reassurance.
“There aren't many hotel openings on such short notice.” Owen said.
“As long as there are two rooms Morgan, and I can share a bed.”
“Inquiring minds want to know.” He said, catching my eye in the rear view mirror.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Have the two of you ever hooked up?”
I looked at Morgan who then looked at me, before the two of us fell into a fit of laughter. Just then the GPS on my phone told me to turn right onto the expressway. Around my laughter, I managed to get us on the right course before taking a deep breath to calm myself.
“I'll take that as a no.” He said, passing my phone to Morgan. “Here's the hotel if you want to book it.”
“Why would you think we've hooked up?” I asked, needing to know where his question had come from.
“I don't know.” He shrugged. “The hand holding? The bed sharing?”
“That's what best friends do.”
“There's no way in hell I'm holding my best friend's hand, or sharing a bed with him, Unicorn.”
“Unicorn?” Morgan asked, her ears suddenly perking up.
“It's just a nickname.” I said, trying to change the subject. “Did you book the hotel?”
“There's no hot tub! Only a pool, but it's not even private.” She whined.
“That's what happens when you try to change plans last minute.” I pointed out.
“Maybe daddy can make a few phone calls?”
“Or maybe we could just stay in a regular hotel like normal people?” I suggested.
“Fine.” She huffed, as she hit send to dial the number.
Owen, and I stayed quiet as Morgan booked our rooms. I kept checking my mirror, watching him. Studying him. I guess I was still trying to figure him out. He'd told me bits and pieces about his life, but there was something that he was holding back. I wasn't sure what it was yet, but I was making it my new mission to find out.
With the rooms booked, and my GPS telling us where to go I settled in for the drive. I switched the radio on to a local country station, and Blake Shelton was playing. I started singing along, and soon Owen joined in with me. He said he wrote country music, so it shouldn't have been surprising that he listened to it as well.
“Oh great.” Morgan groaned. “There are two of you now.”
I laughed. “Come on, Morgan. You love Blake Shelton!”
She rolled her eyes. “Remind me to buy ear plugs before we head to the next state.”
I thought that Owen tagging along would feel awkward. After all, we barely knew the man. To my surprise however, he seemed to fit right in. We sang along to the radio, and told stories from when we were younger. I learned that we had even more in common than I originally thought. He was an only child, whose parents were divorced around the same age as mine.
He grew up listening to records, and fell in love with them for the same reasons that I did. He was a night owl, and did his best writing around one AM. I wasn't a writer, but I worked best then too. I've always had a hard time sleeping, so I'd work until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. It used to drive Derek nuts, so I'd sneak out into the living room.
He'd wake up and come find me with my laptop on my chest, and a stack of papers on the floor. He'd take it from me, close it, and set it on the table before picking up the mess I'd made. Then, he'd cover me with an afghan, and kiss my forehead before getting ready for work. I smiled at the thought. Maybe he really did love me at one time?
“Can we stop for drinks?” Owen asked, bringing me back to
