The U-Haul rams into us from the side, and we all slam into one another from the force of the impact. Kylie accelerates and punches ahead. The U-Haul is forced to pull away to avoid being hit by another car, and for a moment we’re ahead of them and we have the advantage. Kylie must have watched so many action scenes in her life that they are hardwired into her brain, because she is outperforming herself here. It’s mind-blowing.
“You are a total overachiever,” I say to her. If I can’t be helpful, the least I can do is be supportive.
Kylie doesn’t take her eyes off the road, but I see the sides of her lips lift into a smile. Man, I am totally into this chick. She is way cool. Whatever happened this morning between us hasn’t diminished anything for me. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. She may want nothing to do with me, but my feelings are undeniable.
“Kylie, stay to the right, the toll road is up ahead. When you get there, just stop,” Juan says.
“Just stop? Really?” Kylie asks.
The disbelief spreads through the car, and we all look at Juan with doubt. Just stop? Does this guy know what he’s doing? Can we stake our life on it?
“I don’t know, man,” Charlie says. “I think we should keep going.”
“I’m telling you, we need to stop. The police are right behind us; they’re going to take care of it. Trust me,” Juan says.
It sure doesn’t sound like a great idea. But it’s the only one we’ve got.
As we come upon the intersection, Juan yells, “PULL OVER!”
“Now?” Kylie says.
“Now!” Juan insists.
Kylie pulls to the curb. Seconds later, the U-Haul speeds up from behind and screeches next to us. We all panic and scream, as if on cue. The two guys fling their doors open and are on us like a shot. Kylie is about to pull away again when we hear the high pitch of a siren approaching. I look in the rearview mirror, and just like in the movies, I see a police car speed into view. The cavalry. The two dudes hear the siren as well and immediately retreat. They’re climbing back into the U-Haul when the police car skids up to us and two police officers jump out.
One of the officers approaches Kylie’s window and says, “Go, go. We’ll take it from here. You don’t want to miss your graduation.”
Kylie doesn’t hesitate. She pulls out and makes a beeline for the toll road. Within seconds, we’re on the road and cruising toward the border. For a few seconds, no one says a word. We’ve just traveled through a tunnel of doom and come out the other side.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God,” Will chants.
I’m not sure how long Will has been chanting this under his breath, but now he’s upping the volume a little.
“You okay, Will?” Kylie turns around to look at him.
“I’m fine. Now.”
“Juan! That was awesome. Man, how did you do that?” I, for one, am overjoyed.
“Because he’s a rock star!!” Will says. “He’s my rock star!” Will smothers Juan’s face in kisses. Juan is giggling. Lily recoils.
“You grow up in a small town in Mexico, it has its advantages,” Juan says.
“What did you tell the police?” Kylie asks.
“I told them there were two criminals chasing us, with a shitload of stolen stuff in their truck. Like I said, the police chief is my dad’s best friend. He’s like my uncle. He didn’t really question it. He knows I would never do that unless it was for real.”
“You’re my own personal Chow Yun Fat,” Will says to Juan.
“Who?” Charlie asks.
“Chinese action star,” Kylie and I say at the same time.
Kylie and I share a look. I try to convey a million little things, but I don’t think I’m particularly successful. Kylie looks away, either not feeling it or not wanting to acknowledge it.
“You rock, girlie. But then again, I already knew that,” Will says.
“Man, I totally thought we were toast,” Charlie says. “But you drove like a pro.” Yeah, we get it, Charlie. Enough already.
Max insisted Kylie drive, and now everyone is propping her up. As if it wasn’t bad enough seeing her wake up with Max, I’m meant to suffer a hundred indignities as we all congratulate Kylie to within an inch of her life. This is too much.
“I think we have the cops to thank for saving us,” I say. Everyone goes silent. At least I’ve changed the tenor. “And Juan.”
“Yeah, thanks, dude,” Charlie says to Juan. “We owe you one.”
“It’s no problem. You don’t owe me anything,” Juan says.
Thank God, the conversation has turned. I have no clue who this Juan guy is, but I’d rather he be the focus of attention than Kylie.
I’m trying to keep my composure, but I can feel it weakening with every second. I’m, like, thirty seconds away from total hysteria. It’s been a long day and it’s not even nine a.m.
“Maybe Charlie should drive now,” I say. “I mean, it’s his car and we are in Mexico. Don’t want to take any chances. The police can be sticklers down here.” I don’t need the two of them sitting in the front seat together.
“I’m happy to get in the way back,” Juan says. “It’s getting a little crowded in here.”
“Fine with me. I need to look over my speech anyway,” Kylie says.
Kylie pulls over at a turnoff and Charlie jumps into the driver’s seat. Max stays in the passenger seat. I’m sure the plan is for Kylie to just pop in back with me. But that’s a no go, I’m afraid.
“Maxie, could you sit next to me? I’m not feeling so great,” I say.
“Uh, sure,” Max says. I don’t know if he really wants it. But I figure two hours of me and Max sitting next to one another will help bridge whatever gap may still remain between us.
“It’s cool. I can sit in front,” Kylie says, like she’s the most agreeable girl in the world.
Please. Honey, you don’t fool me, I saw you on that squash court. I know what a raving lunatic you are. And you know what a bitch I can be. So let the games begin.
Kylie gets in front, Juan gets in back, and Max climbs in next to me. We’ve still got Will in the row with us, unfortunately, but there’s no other place for him, except in the trunk, which would be fine with me. I’m guessing it’s not going to fly with everyone else, though. I’ll just have to pretend Will isn’t here. Easier said than done.
“You seem tense, sweetie,” I say to Max. “You want a neck massage?”
“I’m okay,” Max says. He seems almost uncomfortable around me. This is so not good.
“C’mon, I insist. It’s been a rough ride. It’ll make you feel better.”
Max hesitates a second before answering. “Uh…okay.” He doesn’t want to say no. But he doesn’t want to say yes.
I massage his neck, working my hands over his shoulders.
“Feel nice?”
“Yeah, thanks, Lil,” he says. And then, literally thirty seconds later: “I think I’m good now.”
What a joke. No way I’m stopping. I need to make this work for me. Show who’s the alpha dog here. My hands move around his shoulder and down his arms, over his torso, toward his legs. Will is watching us with obvious disdain.
Kylie takes a quick look over her shoulder.
Max moves his leg away. I ease off, but I’ve accomplished something. Things may not be entirely good between Max and me, but, at the very least, I’ve staked my claim. Kylie saw my hands all over him. Hopefully, she got the message.