Page 51 of How We Loved

Maya

I’ve learned the one bad thing about dating a guy who lives twenty-five minutes away: I don’t get to see him anywhere near as often as I’d like. It’s Friday night, and since we spent last weekend with my friends, he invited me to come to Springstown to meet his friends.

Today felt like the longest day ever at school, especially since I have been trying to keep my distance from Ben, so I’m excited as I finally hop in my Range Rover to drive there.

Yes, I drove myself to school today and had for the last five days.

I still haven’t really spoken to Ben since bowling last Friday. I need time to work through whatever he said to Trevor, and honestly, I don’t want to hear his excuses. Thankfully, cheer practice has started back up, and I’ve been so busy with that and school, I haven’t had time to deal with it.

Besides, Trevor was right. Ben and I spent a ridiculous amount of time together, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I missed driving myself places, so cutting back on him picking me up has actually been good for me.

Now, with my window cracked and the stereo playing “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett, I merge onto the freeway, feeling freer than I have in my entire life.

I’ve heard songs and even people talk about how driving alone with the radio playing can be a very soul-soothing event, but I’ve never truly experienced it until right now—and, yes, it’s everything it’s cracked up to be.

I sing at the top of my lungs to a playlist I created just for this trip. “Thank God” by Kane Brown and “All Your’n” by Tyler Childers are songs I love and ones Ben never liked me to play. “Greatest Love Story” by LANCO comes on, and I press repeat every time it’s over, feeling like it’s my life right now with how it talks about a couple being polar opposites, but perfect for each other. When it says, “We’re gonna be the greatest love story this town has ever seen,” I sing so loud that my throat starts to hurt.

This song is so Trevor and me!

When I pull into Springstown, a part of me is sad that the ride is over, but it doesn’t last long when it is replaced with the idea of getting to see Trevor.

FaceTiming him is nothing compared to actually being next to him.

I follow the directions on my phone, guiding me to his place.

When I turn on the dirt road, I wonder if I put in the right number, so I double-check his text message just to be sure.

Slowing down to a crawl so I don’t kick up too much dirt, I make my way down the long road until I see a house sitting off to the side. When I turn into where I see Trevor’s truck, I look up and notice he’s already waiting outside on the porch for me.

I put the car in park as he stands to walk down his front porch toward me.

Excitement I can’t contain races through me, and I hurry out of the car, then run into his arms. I’m not even thinking of my actions when I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around him, feeling like myself for the first time this week. Thankfully, he catches me, and we get lost in a kiss before we even say hello.

A dog barking in the background takes me out of my stupor, and I laugh as I slide down his body so my feet are on the ground again.

“Well, it’s good to see you too,” Trevor says with a cheesy grin.

“Hi.” I smile back with my hands behind my back like I was just caught with one in the cookie jar.

He holds out his hand to me. “We’ll take my truck. I don’t want the guys giving you shit about your car.”

I grab his hand as I squint my eyes in question. “What’s wrong with my car?”

“It’s just that it cost more than some of the trailers my friends live in, is all,” he teases.

“Oh …”

“I’m kidding. It’s not that bad. But cars like that aren’t really the norm here.”

I’m not sure what to say, so I stay quiet as we walk to his truck. He opens the passenger side for me, giving me a quick kiss.

“Why, thank you, sir,” I say, acting like a proper lady.

“My pleasure, madam,” he responds, making me laugh.

“Trevor,” a man yells out, obviously not happy with him.

I look around, but don’t see where the voice came from.

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