One Week - By Nikki Van De Car Page 0,47

you guys going to be doing there?” I ask.

“The cast of Glee is touring and we're going to go see them.” Joey explains.

I laugh before I can stop myself. “Seriously? You're going all the way to Des Moines for Glee?”

“Not exactly,” Sean says as he finishes up at the pump. “Joey's girlfriend is driving all the way to Des Moines for Glee, and Joey is driving there for her. Why I am driving all that way is a mystery to me.”

“Because you're a good friend,” Joey says. “And because I don't have a car.”

“So how is your girlfriend getting there?” I ask, still laughing.

“She's getting a ride with her friend. Who might want to hook up with Sean.”

“Emphasis on the ‘might,’” Sean scowls.

“Well, she probably will. I mean, look how much you're willing to go out of your way for her,” I offer. “And sit through the concert? That's really going the extra mile. She's got to appreciate that.”

“That's what I keep telling him,” Joey says.

Sean leans on the side of the truck. “Sure you don't want to come with us? Joey here says they'll be singing selections from Journey, Madonna, and the works of Barbra Streisand.”

“Tempting, but I think not,” I say. I squint over at the gas station. “I'm sorry Jess is taking so long.”

Sean shrugs. “I don't care if we're late.”

I chat with the three of them for another ten minutes or so, wondering where on earth Jess is. I'm about to go in after him—maybe he's having another episode or something—when he comes jogging over to the truck.

“Sorry,” he says breathlessly, and heaves himself over the side. “There was, uh, there was a line.”

“No problem.” Sean looks like he'd happily stand and talk for a while longer, but Joey drags him around to the driver's seat, assuring him again that it would all be worth it. Jess and I huddle together for warmth as the truck pulls onto the highway, and eventually I rest my head on his lap and go to sleep. Your body stays warmer that way.

I wake up to Jess gently shaking my shoulder. “We're here,” he says.

Sean has pulled off I-80 and over to the shoulder just off the exit. I rub my eyes and look around. Des Moines looks just like any other city from out here. Jess helps me out of the truck and we go around to thank Sean and Joey.

“Are you guys going to be okay from here?” Joey asks, sounding concerned.

“Yeah, we'll be fine,” Jess assures him. “Thanks so much for the lift—we really appreciate it.”

“And enjoy the concert,” I add.

“Yeah, right,” Sean says, rolling his eyes. He puts the truck in gear and drives off, tooting the horn once as he goes.

“Well,” Jess says.

“Yeah,” I reply. We both stand in silence watching the truck drive through the intersection up ahead and out of sight.

“Well,” Jess says again. “They got us halfway. That's pretty good.”

I try to perk up. “Right. And we still have all of our thirty dollars in case the next person wants gas money.”

“Or in case we want to eat something besides granola and nuts.”

I give Jess a look. “Do you need something besides granola and nuts? Is that going to be enough to keep your blood sugar where it's supposed to be? Maybe we should go get a decent meal someplace.”

“I'll be okay.” Jess grins and gives me a hug. “Martha's eggs and bacon set me up just fine. Thanks for looking out for me though.” He takes my hand and we start walking back along the exit ramp and onto the highway to find our next ride.

I have no idea what's gotten into Jess. He kissed me this morning, which, obviously, was a big step for him, but then he backed off. And since then he's been…unusually affectionate. We haven't fought once. No kissing or anything, nothing that could be interpreted as Officially Interested, but it doesn't exactly feel like he thinks he's my big brother or something either.

It's all incredibly frustrating.

Jess squeezes my hand and pulls me off to the side as a car drives past us, putting himself between me and possible harm. I have to say, it may be frustrating, but I'm not exactly complaining.

On the other hand, if we thought we waited for a long time for a ride in Hastings, it feels like nothing now. We've walked at least two miles and no one is slowing down. I can't even tell if they see us. The shoulder