Counterpoint (Hystoria #3)

12. Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

“It looks like we’ll be able to make it home by tomorrow,” I tell Si as he keeps his eyes out for a service station to have lunch at. “Having two drivers made more of an impact than I thought.” According to my map, it’s about ten more hours of driving, so assuming we’ll drive another half a day today, we should be there by tomorrow afternoon.

I take out my phone and shoot Grandma and Jake a quick message to let them know. Unless another snowstorm thwarts the plan, we should arrive in Windmeadow tomorrow evening - which wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen, though, now that I think about it.

“You sound surprised. Did you think I’d just have you chauffeur me around?” The corner of his mouth twitches as he merges into the exit lane .

I grin at him. “Kind of, yeah,” I tell him, a bubbling laughter escaping me as he glares at me. “Come on, how could I have known? I’m sure Paxton wouldn’t have lifted a finger, for example.”

“Yeah, that’s Pax.” He sighs and scouts the parking lot for a free space. “But that you’d put me in the same box as him,” he grabs his shirt dramatically, right over his heart and scrunches it between his fingers, “it hurts.”

I roll my eyes, then shoot him a sharp glance. “We haven’t talked in years. How could I have known? The way you were panicking when we first started the drive, I thought you’d have a heart attack if you sat behind the wheel yourself.”

“Driving myself is easier. That way I know there’s a competent driver behind the wheel who’s not going to wreck the car,” he admits and parks Lola expertly. I let my eyes wander over him as he reverses the car.

I never understood why women find it hot when men drive a car. But there’s something attractive in the way he strains his neck in order to look out of the back window and the way I feel the warmth of his body as his arm scoots behind my seat. I get it now. It’s really hot.

I check out the area as he tries to align the car better to the parking spot, inching forwards and backwards until she’s right in the center. It’s another service station with a bunch of restaurants, all offering different kinds of meals.

I think I’m in the mood for pancakes again, though. Of everything we’ve eaten on our trip so far, that was the one meal that I’d most likely make myself at home and not waste the money eating them outside. On road trips, though, anything goes. I’ve read somewhere that snacks for a road trip should look like you gave a six-year-old a hundred bucks, and I like to live my life by that wise advice.

Without exchanging a word, both of us steer towards the pancake restaurant. It’s not as empty as the other restaurants we’ve been to, but Si doesn’t seem to mind. His eyes find the most secluded booth quickly, and he takes my hand as he pulls me after him in the right direction. My fingers tingle in his tight grip, and I’m fighting a smile before my eyes widen in shock.

No, no, no, this can’t be happening. My heart is absolutely not fluttering, and my fingers are absolutely not exuding warmth where he touches me. Definitely not.

Flustered, I scoot into the booth. My eyes dance over his face. He looks content. Then again, an awesome blowjob will do that to a man. I gulp.

It looks and feels like my crush is coming back with a vengeance. Fuck. This was supposed to be casual. Scratching an itch, helping me forget about the shitshow that my life has become. Of course, everything has to suddenly become more complicated. Surprise, who would have thought that this would be the grand season finale of the shitshow? I should have known. I never should have started this with him.

“Are you okay?” Si asks worriedly and nudges my ankle with his foot.

“Yes, sorry, everything is fine,” I say a bit too quickly, shaking my head and trying to brush off my spiraling thoughts. “I was just lost in thought for a second there” I force a real-sounding chuckle, still secretly freaking out. His curious eyes are on me, and I fidget under his scrutinizing gaze. And I just know that he knows I’m lying .

Quickly, I reach for a menu and hide my face behind it. I need to make sense of this myself before I share it with him. If I ever will.

“What’s going on?” He pushes the laminated paper down with his index finger until my face becomes visible again. “You always order the same thing here, and it’s the exact same thing you’ve ordered in your teens. Don’t act like you’re suddenly looking to switch it up.”

“Well, maybe I do want to switch it up!” I shake his finger off and hide behind the menu again. “Or maybe it just dawned on me that I gave you a blowjob in the car, and it makes me feel awkward.”

There. That’s a good excuse. “No! Stop it,” I whisper, panicked when he grabs the menu and pulls it out of my hands with force. “Hey!” I cover my mouth quickly when I realise that the eyes of the surrounding tables are on us.

“There’s nothing to feel awkward about.” Si rolls his eyes and puts the menu aside. I shush him before he continues because he’s talking way too loudly, and way too many people are still paying attention to us. “I’ve eaten you out plenty of times over the past few days. Do you see me blushing?” he whispers and rolls his eyes.

“No, I don’t. But I’m not you. You’ve probably eaten plenty of pussy, but I can count the men whose dicks I’ve sucked on one hand,” I hiss back, grimacing at the reminder. Si bursts into laughter just as a resting-bitch-faced waitress approaches our table. Her eyes grow wide when she recognizes Si.

I curse internally. We’ve had such a good run of keeping his identity hidden. Then again, he put his sunglasses into his bag today and couldn’t be bothered to take them out before lunch. Annoyance washes over his eyes when he realises he’s been recognized .

The waitress’s face does something, and suddenly, the frown is gone, and she looks like the nicest person on earth. I hate to admit it, but it makes her about ten times more attractive, and she’s already a beautiful woman. Her curly blonde hair reaches down to the small of her back, and her eyes suddenly shine with friendliness.

She’s pretty in a ‘nice girl next door’ sense, something I can’t compete with. Where she looks like the girl you’d introduce to your parents, I’m the one they’re telling you to stay away from, with my dark red dyed hair and non-existing fashion sense. I look more like the art student next door who barely manages to pay rent and lives off instant ramen than someone you’d introduce to your family.

She turns to Si and asks him for his order with a high-pitched voice dripping with sweetness. Instantly, she involves him in small talk, asking what he’s doing in this area and whatnot. Si answers her questions patiently, and even though his face betrays his annoyance, he manages to have a proper conversation with her. I narrow my eyes at him. So I get the one-word answers, but he can carry a friendly conversation with a stranger?

And with an unfriendly one at that. Unfriendly to me, at least. Not once does she look in my direction. She even almost walks off without having ever asked me for my order. Si has to call her back for that. As much as the waiter from that other restaurant annoyed me, at least he did his job right.

Her face scrunches up in irritation as she jolts down my order, then turns around wordlessly and walks off.

“What a lovely waitress,” I say sarcastically and smile tightly. Not that I’m not used to being treated like air—a story of my childhood and whenever I’m hanging out with Jake. Although most people manage to ask me if I’d take their picture with a friendly tone, I dare say this is the worst fan encounter I had with any Hystoria member so far. Love that.

Si shrugs and raises his hands in an apologetic gesture. “Sorry, I have that effect on people.”

I shake my head and focus on my hands, which are currently tearing apart a straw wrapper. I pull it into teeny tiny pieces and roll them up, then untangle them and try to piece the original form together. I’m nervous.

“So, you’re obviously single at the moment,” Si unexpectedly states, his fingers tapping the table. “Weren’t you engaged? What happened to the fiancé? He was at Jake’s party, wasn’t he?” I flinch at the reminder of the party and what followed, my shoulders tensing. Right. Tom was there. I remember Jake shooting him angry glances throughout the evening.

He never liked Tom. After I first introduced them, he called me and told me he found him suspicious. I should have listened to him then, but I was still way too happy to ignore all the red flags then. Or maybe my gut feeling is just literal shit.

“Well, the fiancé turned into an ex-fiancé,” I reply, reaching for another paper straw and raise my eyebrow at him, my defenses going up. “Is that enough info, or do you need all the details of how it ended?”

“I always see gossip about myself. I’d love to hear some about someone else,” he chuckles and flicks one of my paper balls at my forehead. I shake my head and pick it up from the ground.

“Then you must know how painful it can be to have to talk about sensitive topics?” I raise my eyebrow at him, and he flinches. “Sorry, it’s just very… fresh. He did something inexcusable, and I broke up with him. That’s the cliff notes version and all I want to share right now.”

His lips form a pout, quickly replaced by a polite smile when the waitress brings over our food. She sets it down in front of him with a smile while letting mine all but fall onto the table, almost making it spill onto my lap. I’m about to dig in when I notice her standing at the head of the table awkwardly, watching Si.

“Sorry, but we’re trying to eat. Could you please give us some privacy?” he asks her, sounding way nicer than I would be able to muster up. If I’d opened my mouth, it would have been more along the lines of, ‘Fuck off, we’re trying to eat, bitch’.

I watch smugly as her face turns bright red before she apologizes and scurries off.

“So annoying,” he complains and sighs as he takes the first bite of his protein pancakes.

“No worse fate than yours,” I say with irony clouding my voice and nod, digging into my meal as well. “Having people be nice to you because you’re famous. The horror. It must be beyond my imagination.”

“Having to play nice even though you’re not in the mood, but otherwise you’ll get your ass kicked by management,” he corrects me with his mouth full and his fork pointing at me.

“You don’t have management right now, though,” I point out. He grimaces, and I regret letting those words leave my mouth. “Sorry, I really didn’t mean it in a bad way. I was just trying to point out that you can do whatever you want to right now. ”

“You’re not wrong. That doesn’t make it any easier to hear,” he admits quietly. Now it’s my time to nudge his leg with my foot to reassure him.

“You’ll find your way. I’m sure of it,” I let him know. “But isn’t it also a bit freeing?”

“Honestly, I think I prefer being shackled down.” He shrugs, rolling his eyes when he sees me wiggle my eyebrows.

“Oh, so you like being shackled? We’ll have to try that.” I giggle.

“You’re insatiable,” he says, laughing. “Not what I meant, and no. That’s not happening, you minx.” I purse my lips in a pout as he continues. “But I liked the structure a label and management provided. It might have sucked from time to time, but it gave me some kind of routine. There are so many possibilities of what I can do in a day that it paralyzes me.”

“So now that the world is your oyster, you’re overwhelmed?” I take another bite of my pancakes.

“Exactly,” he says with a full mouth.

“Hm,” I hum and stuff my mouth with more buttery goodness as well.

“What would you do?” His question is loaded, and I take a few moments to think about it.

“If I had your kind of money and no obligations?” He nods, and I tap my lip as I contemplate it. Come to think of it, what would I do? Not send out ten million job applications and jump through hoops to get interviews like I am doing now, that’s for sure. “I think I would travel,” I finally say. “Yes. I think that’s what I would do,” I reiterate with conviction. “I’ve never been to Europe, so that might be nice. Just a big backpack, a rental car and some music.”

“So, kind of what you’re doing already?” My fork halts halfway to my mouth. He has a point.

“Huh. Now that you say it, kind of. However, I’d spend some time sightseeing and hanging out at each stop, yes, basically what we’re doing now. Sans passenger, though.” I smile at him, but I see his expression tighten. “Maybe I’d tour through France, find myself a French lover in the city of love.” I wiggle my eyebrows again, but he doesn’t seem to find it amusing. Whatever, at least I know that I’m hilarious. “Then again, I guess you’ve been almost everywhere already. I know Jake isn’t as excited about traveling since he does it for tours all the time.”

“I don’t mind it, but I don’t love it either,” he admits, his face going dark. “The traveling isn’t fun, but I love to be somewhere else if that makes sense.”

“It does,” I assure him and place the fork on my now empty plate. “What are you planning on doing at home?”

“I haven’t planned any further than celebrating Thanksgiving,” he admits and reaches for his drink to take a sip.

I blink at him curiously. “With your parents?”

“Yes.” A small smile plays on his lips. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”

“Are they well?” I’ve always liked his parents. They were busy people. Looking back now, I know they worked a lot because they had to. Student loans, mortgage and raising a child doesn’t pay by itself.

Contrary to Jake and my parents, they never failed to make time for their son. Our parents were pretty well off already, working as lawyers, yet they couldn’t be bothered to make the time to attend our graduations, Jake’s shows, or any achievements really .

But Si’s parents always managed to show up for him and later for Jake and me as well. Even when Jake and Si left, I saw their faces right next to Grandma in my graduation crowd, cheering me on as I had my diploma handed to me and greeting me with beaming faces and warm congratulations. They taught me what having parents was supposed to feel like since my own never bothered.

Sadly, distance took its toll, especially since they’re not that tech-savvy, and I’ve fallen out of contact with them. Just like I know Si has fallen out of touch with Grandma. Sometimes, life just happens.

“They’re doing great. Both still working, though they started their own businesses a while ago.” His face beams with pride as he mentions it.

“That’s nice,” I say admiringly, returning his smile. I’m so happy for them. They’ve always talked about doing that.

“I wanted them to retire, but they wouldn’t take any money from me. Or a house… or cars. So funding their own companies so they wouldn’t be subject to the whims of idiot bosses was the best compromise we’ve reached.” He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “Stubborn as donkeys.”

“Just like their son.” I chuckle and blow him a kiss when he gives me an annoyed look. “You know I’m right.”

The waitress is back at our table the moment Si finishes his plate. I listen to them flirt back and forth and try to keep my displeasure from showing, even though my fingers are tingling with the urge to do… something.

But it’s not my place to act like a jealous girlfriend. Only for this trip. Si and I have talked about that. Afterwards, we are going our separate ways, and I can take some time to get this stupid heart-fluttering in his presence under control.

Right now, I don’t know if I’m looking forward to it or dreading it.

“No exorbitant tip?” I ask him as we walk out of the restaurant. He didn’t take my hand again, but obviously, that doesn’t irritate me at all. Not one bit. Just something I noticed.

“Well, she ignored you completely. That was pretty rude. So no. I like to tip generously, but not if waiters don’t do their job.” My eyes grow wide in surprise. I didn’t really think he noticed it. Yes, he called her back to take my order, but to the unknowing person, it could have been simple forgetfulness. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m used to fangirls and making small talk with them, but that doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to everything else that happens around me.”

“You’re right, sorry,” I apologise sheepishly, my cheeks growing warm. I really need to stop making assumptions about him; he’s proving me wrong far too often. “And thank you.”

We reach the car, and I hold out my hand for the keys, checking out Lola’s front once more as I walk around her. The mechanics really did an amazing job. There is not a dent in her, no sign whatsoever that just two days ago, she had a passionate encounter with a boulder. Basically mounted him. Maybe my girl is as horny as I am .

Chuckling at my own thoughts, I get behind the wheel and put everything into position. The seat is way too far away from the wheel because Si is so freakishly much taller than me.

I try not to think about what happened behind this wheel not too long ago as I scoot the chair closer to it and adjust the mirrors until I can see everything I need to in order to drive. When I glance over at him, I notice his eyes fixed on the wheel with a distant gaze, and I know exactly what he’s thinking or, rather, reminiscing about.

I chuckle when he licks his lips and starts the engine off towards home.

We are lucky and don’t find ourselves in any traffic jams in the afternoon. Si manages to find us a hotel that leaves us roughly four hours away from Windmeadow. We reach it at dawn, after eight hours on the road.

I blink, surprised, when the navigation leads me around the final corner, revealing tonight’s stay.

It’s a cute inn, nestled between pine trees, all covered by a thick, white snow blanket. After the storm passed, we’ve been lucky with the weather today. The day was sunny throughout, and the roads were all clear. Although it’s still really damn cold. I park the car in the lot right in front of where I assume the front desk is. Taking a minute to stretch after getting out, I check out the area.

The inn seems to consist of several houses with wooden block facades enclosing a parking lot. Each of them looks like it is right out of a travel brochure for Switzerland or a gingerbread house. Flowerpots line all the windowsills, and I’m sure that in spring, the most beautiful flowers adorn them. Now, this looks like the perfect location to experience my winter wonderland fantasy of cozying up with a hot chocolate and watching the snow fall outside. I love it here.

Si leads the way to the front desk, pulling me after him after I almost run into one of the wooden posts positioned throughout the room to support the roof.

“Welcome to Alp Inn,” a friendly older woman greets us at the reception. Her grey hair is in two braids, and she’s wearing a red checkered blouse with a name tag reading ‘Annie.’ “Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, two rooms under ‘Shaw.’” Si smiles at her. Meanwhile, the wonder drops from my face, and I school my face back to a friendly smile as my whole body tenses. Two rooms?