“You’re gonna scare the shit outta him now,” Tyler tells her. “Good thing I got you that big box of condoms.” He smirks.
“You didn’t!” Gemma’s eyes widen.
Tyler shrugs, then looks at me. “You’re getting a free preview of the pregnancy hormones. You sure you wanna go through this?”
“Alright, time for me to go.” I snicker. “You two have a good weekend.”
Gemma hugs me before I leave, and I wave at Tyler before walking out to my truck.
Just as I start the engine, my phone rings, and Brittany’s name pops up on the screen. Considering she’s gone out of her way to confront Katie at work, now’s a good time to make it crystal clear that I’m not interested in her that way.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Noah? Oh thank God. I’ve called ten people already, and no one’s answered. I’m so sorry to bother you, but I can’t find anyone else to help me.” Her strained tone concerns me.
“What’s the matter?”
“Anthony and I were about ten minutes from Mobile when my SUV started shaking. I pulled over and realized my tire is completely flat. I forgot to get a replacement spare the last time this happened, and now we’re stranded. I called a tow truck, but they can’t come for two hours, and it’s almost pitch black out, so I don’t want to wait out here with my son. Is there any chance you’d come and pick us up? I’ll pay you gas money and for your time,” she rushes her words out, and I can tell she’s freaking out.
“Not necessary. I just left work, so I can head that way now. What road are you on?”
After Brittany gives me directions, I call Katie and let her know I’ll be late.
“She can’t call a tow truck? Or someone else?” she asks, and I know she’s not any happier about this than I am.
“She said she tried but was given a two-hour window, and she doesn’t want to sit out there in the dark. No one else answered, I guess. She’s with Anthony and doesn’t have a spare,” I explain.
Katie releases a sigh.
“Alright well, just please be careful. Text me when you’re on the way back.”
“I will. Once I drop them off, I’ll go home and shower, then be right over.”
We say goodbye, then I head Brittany’s way.
Once I get off the exit ramp, I take a right and go toward Mobile. I haven’t been there since before prison, and I’m reminded of the time Katie and I went to their famous fall festival. I’d just gotten my license and wanted to hang out with her alone. Though Katie was only fifteen at the time, her parents adored me and allowed her to come with me. I remember it clear as day—the perfect weather, a band playing on a stage surrounded by hay bales and pumpkins, and the sweet smell of caramel wafting through the air. I had hyped myself up all week to finally confess my true feelings and ask her to be my girlfriend.
Then I got cold feet.
I shake my head just thinking about it because I even had the perfect opportunity and blew it.
Katie literally took my hand and held it during a hayride.
I’m so stupid.
Laughing to myself at the idiocy of my teenage years, I turn down the music and reach for my phone to call Brittany. I think I’m getting close to where she said she was, but I don’t see any hazard lights flashing.
I click on her name and wait for her to pick up, but it goes to voicemail after three rings. I try again but have no luck.
Well, shit. I hope her phone didn’t die.
Just as I’m about to text Katie, I hit a bump in the road and lose my grip. My phone flies to the floorboards on the passenger side where I can’t reach it.
“Fuck.”
I try to reach for it, my other hand sliding down the wheel as I struggle to find it. I hear it ring with Katie’s ringtone and decide I better pull over to grab my phone and call her back. I peek in my rearview mirror to see if anyone’s behind me so I can slow down and pull over. The phone goes off again, and this time, I’m anxious as hell that something’s wrong since she knows I’ll be right back. Just as I put on my blinker to turn at the intersection, something smashes into me.
Metal scrapes against metal, the airbag deploys, and I smack my head. Confusion envelops me as a metallic taste fills my mouth, and blood drips from my head. I can’t seem to physically move, and darkness eventually takes over.
I’m not sure how much time passes before I hear a door open. Katie’s voice instantly soothes me, though I don’t understand what she’s saying. She grabs my hand and shakes me, but the pain makes me groan.