Page 88 of Shut Up and Drive

I scowl. “That’s not true. I have been the pillar of chivalry and charisma.”

With that, she laughs harder. Then she holds up her fingers one at a time to keep score.

“Making us have to drive down here because you wouldn’t be a gentleman and give up your plane seat. Philly cheesesteak brawl. Broken windshield. Gas station burritos—not to mention getting locked in the bathroom then, too.”

I counter with all of her mistakes, ticking my fingers up as I go. “Locking the keys in the car before we even left. The chastity blanket debacle.”

“Hey! That wasyourfault!” she says, pointing a finger at me and grinning.

“I’ll only take credit for the bloody nose all over the sheets. The rest of the blame—including the broken bed—is on you, ‘Handsy.’”

That one gets a rise out of her and I can see the fire flickering in her eyes, so I stoke it.

“Then your horrible ex showed up, ruined our vacation, and punched me in the face. I have a black eye from that douche.” I touch my eye where it’s still tender and her face softens.

“Yeah, that part sucked. Sorry about that,” she says softly, touching my bruise with her fingertips.

“It’s okay. The kiss in the pantry more than made up for it,” I tease.

She shakes her head. “We make a terrible duo, don’t we?”

I kiss her lips and she wraps her arms around my neck. “The mostamazinglyterrible duo. But I wouldn’t trade any of this mess for perfection, would you?”

She smiles from ear to ear. “Not one bit.”

“Hey,” I say with anticipation bubbling inside me. “I have something to tell you.”

An intrigued smile slides across her face. “Really? What?”

“I told Bash today.”

“You didwhat?” she shrieks.

“I told him. We were all alone in the boat while the rest of the guys packed up on the shore, and it just felt right.”

“How did he respond?”

A knot collects in my throat and I swallow a few times before I can continue.

“He hugged me harder than he ever has before. Apologized for putting me in that position to begin with, and told me I was the best friend he has ever had.”

I force a smile.

“Wow. Definitely not the outcome we expected.”

“Definitely not. And the best part is, that burden I carried unnecessarily for so long just… disappeared. I feel lighter than I have in years.”

“I’m so proud of you, Thane. You’ve done a lot of hard things since we started out on this trip. I’m glad you’re finally free.”

I hug her tightly and kiss the top of her head. “Me too, Fina.”

I layout a flannel throw blanket on the grass at take two of the fireworks show that evening. Most of our families do the same, although Emma and Kevin stayed back to put the twins to bed. I lie on my side, leaving enough room for Sera to spoon in. But when she joins me on the blanket, she faces toward me.

“The fireworks will be going off behind you,” I say with a smile.

“Yeah, I know. But I want to watch them in your eyes instead.”

I laugh. “What do you mean?”