Page 55 of First in Line

“I haven’t told you about my favorite car game yet,” I impishly say.

“Go on.”

“I invented it.”

“Really?”

“Yep. I call it ‘Head of State.’”

“And what’s the game?”

“Every time we’re in a new state, I give you head.”

He bursts into a long laugh, which is contagious. “That’s a car game I can get behind,” he replies before bringing my hand to his lips to kiss its back. “I’m taking so many detours.”

“I counted, Jax. It’s four states. Don’t cheat.”

“Does Colorado count?”

Crap, I forgot that one. “Should it count?” I wonder.

“I don’t know. It’s your game. You invented it.”

“Technically, it shouldn’t count. What matters are state lines, not states. But the ride across Kansas will be so long… Okay, five states,” I correct myself.

He laughs again. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too. Now, would you rather win the NASCAR Cup Series and no one knows, or not actually win it and everyone thinks you did?”

“Hmm, that’s a good one. Wouldyouknow I won it?”

“I guess not.”

“I’d want to win it for real. I’m bummed you wouldn’t know, though.”

“Aw, poor baby… Okay, your turn.”

“Would you rather… give me that Colorado blowjob now or later?”

“Jackson!” I scold him, slapping his shoulder with my free hand. “You’re obsessed.”

“With packing and shit, we haven’t done anything since before graduation.”

“Trust me, I know. But wait until we’re on the highway at least.”

He presses on the gas just a little harder, and I roll my eyes. Boys really are obsessed. “Ask a real question,” I demand.

“Would you rather only eat desserts, or never eat desserts ever again?”

“Oh, no… I hate this.”

“That’s the idea, princess. Now you gotta answer.”

I think about it for a moment, but genuinely, I can’t think of an answer to that. I can’t live without desserts, but if that’s all I eat, I’m pretty sure I’ll quickly hate it. There’s no good outcome, and both are heartbreaking.

“I don’t want to choose,” I decide.

“You have to.”