“So, what made you two change your minds?” he asked.
I looked to Julie who was shrugging as she grinned. “We are both spontaneous creatures, Liam. Ready for adventure,” she told him.
“She talked me into it,” I told him, smiling sheepishly.
Julie smiled and then shrugged. “And, today was the first day the Basketball lotto went my way. Tonight was the night!” she said, and thrust her fist in the air like that over-dressed rebel in the Breakfast Club had done.
It became a thing though.
First, Julie. Then, Liam, and after rolling my eyes, me.
Because I guess we were something like the Three Musketeers, or the Plastics, or the Greasers. All for one and one for all, and all that other jazz.
Just call us the Damaged Goods, as Julie would say.
♥
Getting Hilary wasn't difficult. Apparently, Liam snuck out a lot more than anyone knew, and Hilary was accustomed to leaving her window unlocked and slightly open.
He snuck in as Julie and I sat in the truck. Liam had decided that he and Hilary would ride in the back of the truck.
“We won't be on the road the entire time anyway, because that's just driving,” he said, rolling his eyes. “And besides, an entire bed to myself, with the most beautiful girl in the world? Who could pass that up?” he asked.
We decided that Liam and I would switch out on driving too. So every time we stopped, we changed positions. Him and Hilary up front, Julie and I in the back. It seemed only fair.
“You sure you're okay to do this?” I asked her.
She nodded. “I'm great. I brought my pills in case I get sick, and there's always hospitals around if things get really bad,” she told me confidentially.
I smiled and leaned over to kiss her. The moment my mouth touched hers, she smiled, and pulled me in closer. I felt like two kids, running away, hopelessly in love and crazy.
So I was ready to go insane, as long as Julie was there.
A few minutes later, Liam was coming toward the truck, holding Hilary bridal style, and her bags on his arm. He got into the back of the truck, and Julie opened the back window, so we could have constant communication.
“Step on that gas, and let's go,” Hilary replied, and I turned to see both of them hugging each other.
I looked to Julie, who was smiling widely at me. That smile had been missed these last few weeks. The girl wearing it had been greatly missed too.
“You heard the woman. Let's go,” she told me.
So, I kissed her, and did as the woman said.
Midnight Promises
“What time didn't steal from under your nose, circumstance did. It was useless to hope otherwise, useless to dream that the world somehow meant you good.”
Clive Barker
Cabal
♥
“Doritos, and an Icee, if they have them. Otherwise, only the Mister of Pibbs,” Julie instructed me, as she placed the gas nozzle in the tank. I saluted her as Liam and I started into the gas station.
“Sure thing, little lady,” I replied, and spun around.
“You know, I may not can hear everything you and Julie say, but it still sickens me to think of the way you flirt together,” Liam replied.
I laughed and punched his arm. “Gotta keep the romance alive. I can't have my woman leaving me for her adopted brother,” I told him, and Liam started shining his knuckles.
“That's always a possibility. You can't deny my charm,” he replied.
“Charming like a snake, maybe,” I told him, opening the door. He walked in ahead of me, wiping away fake tears.
“Oh my,” he started in a sing song voice. “You don't find men to open doors for their girls anymore,” he replied, fanning his face.
The people inside just looked at us, and Liam shot me a smile as he headed for the drinks. I was embarrassed and quickly followed him to avoid the stares from old guys thinking Liam was my 'girlfriend'.
“That wasn't funny,” I told him.
Liam shrugged. “I thought it was. It's a wonder they didn't pull out their rifles and shoot us both,” he said with a grin, grabbing two Mountain Dews for him and Hilary.
We had just made it to Tennessee. The sun had come up long ago, just over the mountains, and Liam decided that our path should go through Nashville. When we made it, we'd find a hotel, and call the parents.
I had no idea where we were at, only that the gas hand had looked dangerously low, and Julie and I were ready to get out of our seats and stretch our legs.
I didn't see an Icee machine, so I grabbed a Mr. Pibb for Julie and a Sprite for me. I followed Liam into the chips, and grabbed Julie's Doritos, and a bag for myself.
“So, you already told Ava, right?” Liam asked, looking at the chips is serious thought.
“Yeah. She was going to tell your parents so they didn't go crazy and call the cops,” I told him. I looked around, but when one of the old guys gave me a glaring once-over, I ducked my head and looked at Liam again.
“I don't think they'd go that crazy. I'm surprised they haven't called though,” he said, grabbing a bag of Frito’s.
“Maybe Ava did some really good convincing,” I suggested.
He shrugged and grabbed another bag. “Maybe, or maybe they both had a heart attack,” he suggested.
I widened my eyes. “That's not funny,” I replied, but Liam walked away laughing. “I'm serious. Not funny.”
Liam went to the counter, and the lady gave a snide frown to
