But I’d get it if you don’t ever want to. I just want to go back to having fun with you. That’s what this is about.
This is maybe the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. A vacation. To my favorite city.
And just thinking about it is enough to make my heart swell.
A weekend away. From the city, from the war.
I don’t think Dad will let me go, though.
But I think it’s worth a shot.
* * *
It’s been a day, and I’ve decided Luke is my best shot at getting Dad to let me go on the LA trip with Jason.
I knock on his door. I knock hard, because I know a lot of the time he has headphones in.
“What?” he calls.
“Can I come in?”
“Yeah, sure.”
I open the door. Luke’s been playing his guitar. He’s still holding it, but he’s taken his headphones off. He’s wearing his college T-shirt. Go Gators! I go inside and close the door behind me. Eddie’s dozing on the end of his bed. I give him a head scratch.
“What’s up?” asks Luke.
“I need a favor.”
“It’ll cost you.”
“I know.”
He strums on his guitar. “What do you want?”
“You know the girl I’m seeing?”
“The one who totally isn’t Cass, you mean?”
“Yeah, her. Well, we sort of have this weekend away planned.”
“Oh shit,” he says. “You guys really are serious now?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
He smiles. “Nice, man. When are you going to let me meet her?”
“Soon, maybe. But I need your help. I want to go on the trip, but I don’t think Dad will let me go.”
“Oh, he definitely won’t.”
“I know. So I was wondering if you have any idea of how I could get him to let me go.”
“Hmm.” His eyebrows furrow. “I guess I could say you and I are going on a trip?”
“What do you mean?”
“I could say you and I are going camping or something for a weekend. We could say we’ve had it planned for ages. Dad never listens, anyway, so if we’re casual about it, he’d buy it.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
For the first time, I allow myself to really entertain the idea that Jason and I might be able to go on the trip.
It makes me giddy.
He nods. “You’d majorly owe me, though.”
“What do you want?”
“Anytime Eddie needs a bath for the next year, you’re doing it.”
Oh no.
Eddie’s cute, but he hates baths with a burning passion. He always tries to run away and always makes a huge mess. It’s an ordeal.
“Okay.”
“And I want your old Xbox.”
“Why do you want that?”
“Nostalgia, I guess.”
It does sting to part with it, but it has been sitting in my closet for a few years.
“Fine, it’s yours.”
He taps his chin. What else could he possibly want from me?
“I also want to be able to use you as an excuse sometime in the future. No questions asked, all right?”
“Sure.”
“Then we have a deal.”
Holy shit.
That means I’m going.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Jason booked the flights for pretty early in the morning, so we’ll have nearly two full days in LA before we need to get back for school. We’ve checked in, and now we’re sitting in the airport lounge, waiting to board.
Luke was right, Dad totally bought the lie. I guess it’s because he trusts Luke so much.
Anyway.
I’m not thinking about my family this weekend.
While we wait for our flight, I’ve been reading and Jason’s been gaming.
A part of me can’t believe this is happening.
That I’m doing this.
A really hot guy wants to go on a weekend getaway with me.
We’ll share a hotel room.
I’m like 90 percent sure I’m going to lose my virginity on this trip.
I think I’m ready. I’ve done a lot of research on the internet about how to have a safe—and enjoyable—time. I think I’ve covered all the bases. After a slightly embarrassing trip to the convenience store, I have everything I’ll need.
Or we’ll need.
I’m pretty nervous. I mean, I care about Jason a lot, and I really want to have a good time. I think I will. I know I’m so attracted to him. But I just know how awkward I can be physically. My body isn’t something I have complete control over.
I think Jason will get all of this, though.
I don’t think he’ll be nervous about it. I just get the impression he’s a fairly sexual person, and he will just know what he’s doing.
“Hey,” he says. “Whatcha thinking about?”
“Oh, um, not much.”
“You just look a little worried. Are you a nervous flier?”
I feel like saying that is better than admitting I was thinking