I looked up and stroked his face.
“What is it, wise Prom King?”
He grinned. “Failure is never getting hurt. Because that means you’ve not done anything you cared about.”
I thought back to my conversation with Whinnie, about Winnie the Pooh, and love being caring too much.
“That’s very deep.”
“I know. Don’t tell the basketball team.”
“So we’re going to drive across America together? And maybe fall in love? And not worry about the fact it’s inevitably going to be terrible when I have to get on a plane back to England?”
“Yes, we’re going to do all of that. But right now…” Kyle turned over onto his side, and grabbed me, turning me so I faced him, so that the whole front of my body touched the whole front of his. It sent uncontrollable waves of lust through me, every teeny hair on my body stood on end. “We’re going to make full use of this private motel room.”
“Otherwise we’re failures?” I said into his mouth.
“Otherwise we’re total delinquents.”
SITUATIONS THAT ARE DESTINED TO FAIL:
Running away
+
With someone you only met a month ago
+
The consequences
Thirty-two
We didn’t have sex.
Not yet. But I knew it was coming, and not one part of me was worried about it.
But we did spend far longer in a motel room than you’re supposed to if you’re meant to be driving across an entire continent.
Eventually, we got dressed. Kyle went out to check the jeep. “I need to make sure the poor thing can make it across. I’ve not even checked the tyre pressure.”
“Wow, you’re one of those ‘real men’ who knows what to do with cars.”
“Stop oppressing me with gender stereotypes.”
And we’d fallen, laughing, onto each other’s mouths and taken our clothes off again.
We went through our route together, using Kyle’s phone to work out a basic plan of action.
“It doesn’t look so far,” I said, looking at the big squiggly line, marking one side of America to the other. “Will we be on Route 66? I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“Umm, no. We’re going a bit further north than that. But we’ll go through Utah, and that’s beautiful, I promise. So, I’ll get the car sorted, and then we need to drive through Death Valley.”
“Ooooh, sounds fun.”
Kyle pulled a face. “It’s beautiful. But it’s a tough drive. We may need to turn the air con off to stop the jeep overheating. Don’t wear many clothes today. In fact, what you’re wearing now is just great. Wear that.”
I was wearing just my bra and a pair of cut-off denim shorts. Kyle wiggled his eyebrows.
“Stop objectifying me.”
“Never!”
We kissed more, until we both had to stop ourselves.
“So, what’s after Death Valley?” I asked.
“Well, we could drive as far as we can, and pull up on the side of the road somewhere. But, I was going to ask you. We go right past Las Vegas. It’s only a four or five hour drive there… How would you feel about…”
“GOING TO LAS VEGAS? LIKE TODAY?”
I stood on the bed and began jumping.
“Well, yes. You can get super cheap rooms there, in the huge hotels like Caesar’s Palace. I thought maybe it would be worth actually seeing something. Because, after that, all we’ll be driving through for the next few days will be desert and farmland.”
I jumped higher. “We’re going to LAS VEGAS?!”
“Yes, we are.”
“Today?”
“We need to check out within the hour.”
I borrowed Kyle’s phone, as his got internet and mine didn’t, and connected to the motel wi-fi while he checked oil levels or whatever.
I was dreading logging into my email, but I guess I had to acknowledge some kind of reality. I had run away from a summer camp with a near stranger after all – though that’s only how it looked from the outside.
I had over twenty unread emails.
From: Management@MountainHideawayCamp
To: LongTallAmber
Subject: Where are you?
Amber, it’s your mum. Where are you? Kevin and I are worried sick! Please, we promise you’re not in trouble. Just come back to camp. Calvin misses you. So do I. Call me anytime and I’ll come get you.
Please, Amber.
From: BrianB
To: LongTallAmber
Subject: Call your mum, now
Amber
Why haven’t you responded to ANY of my emails? And what’s going on? Your mum just called in the middle of the night, in total hysterics. She said you’ve run off with some guy you hardly know? Amber, I beg you to be reasonable. Ring her, now. We are all very worried about you.
From: LottieIsAlwaysRight
To: LongTallAmber
Subject: Can I come?
AMBER
Your dad just called in a right state. You’ve run off with the Prom King guy? That. Is. Amazing. I AM AROUSED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT…
Sorry, that was Lottie. It’s Evie typing now. I’ve explained to Lottie that this can only start being arousing once you’ve told the parents where the hell you are so they stop worrying. Promise me you’ll tell them, Amber! Your dad was a mess. What’s happened over there? Did something happen with your mum? Is this Kyle okay? Promise me you’ve made all your own decisions, and you’ve made them out of a place of strength, not to get back at your mum. I don’t care if you’re angry at me for saying that. This is serious.
SERIOUSLY AROUSING.
That was Lottie again. She keeps taking the keyboard. At the very least, let US know you’re okay. We’re worried. Well, I’m worried. Lottie is dancing around my bedroom and thinks they should make a movie out of this. Please reassure your very worried friend. I will play the OCD card if I have to!
TELL US EVERYTHING. ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE SEX WITH HIM? WILL YOU TAKE PHOTOS OF HIM TOPLESS WHILE HE’S SLEEPING????
Okay – it’s Lottie still. I am worried too. But I trust you, tall one. I trust you to first, let us know you’re all right so we can all calm down. But I also trust you to do what’s best for you. We’re behind you, all the way, you know that.
Seconded – Evie.
Lots of love
x x x x
To: Management@MountainHideawayCamp; BrianB
From: LongTallAmber
Subject: Don’t worry, I’m fine
I’m fine, I’m safe. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got money. Kyle is a good guy. I just can’t be at camp any more. Mum, you can fill Dad in on why.
I’ll get in touch when I’ve worked out flights home and stuff.
I do love you both.
A x
From: LongTallAmber
To: LottieIsAlwaysRight, EvieFilmGal
Subject: RE Can I come?
Hello girlies
Okay, firstly, I am FINE. In fact, I am BETTER than fine. I am sheer wonderful! Do not worry about me honestly.
Yes, I have run off with Kyle.
Yes, this is entirely of my own free will.
No, Lottie, I will not take photos of his bare chest while he sleeps. You are SO bad at objectifying guys sometimes.