Page 80 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

“I’ll take the keys.” His hand is outstretched and open.

“What?”

Brooklynn and Spencer are about to get into the back seat, but they pause.

“I figure I’ll drive since you never do.”

I blinked a few times before responding. “First, it’s my car. Why would you think I would let you drive it? Second, just because I don’t drive much doesn’t mean I can’t. Third, you either sit your ass in the passenger seat or I leave without you.”

He grins at me. “Sure thing.”

He’s fucking with me, but it’s unexpected. He’s never tried to take control. He doesn’t have issues with women driving him around. It must be one last chance to remind me what we are to each other.

We hit the road. It’s two hours to the park and involves driving through Tampa. But we watch the sunrise and have enough coffee that we don’t truly complain.

Of course, Orion and I can’t be in an enclosed space together without fighting. While discussing our favorite Disney movies, he counters all my opinions.

“No,Peter Panis not a good movie,” Orion argues.

“Didn’t you dress up as Captain Hook several times?” Brooklynn asks.

“I knew it!” I exclaim. “You don’t believe half the things you fight me on.”

“Oh please. Because you really think my bushes are overgrown.”

Brooklynn chokes back a laugh. I’m sure she thinks it’s a euphemism. I shake my head.

“How long have you lived in Florida?” she asks.

“Um…technically since college. My family had the house since before I was born. We’d come here every summer and most family vacations.”

“Aren’t you worried about sea level rise? Hurricanes?” Spencer asks.

Orion gives me a look. I’m sure he had to answer these questions when he bought his house. He was probably told it was reckless and a bad investment because one storm could wipeout the whole beach. And it’s not like homeowner’s insurance is cheap.

“Of course. But that’s why I do everything in my power to mitigate climate change. I built a whole company around it.”

“You ever think you’ll leave?” Brooklynn asks.

“Nope. The sea levels can rise. I’m going down with the island.”

Brooklynn laughs. “You sound like Orion and theTwisted Rigging.”

When we getto the park, Orion and I take down our gear from the roof together. He doesn’t complain and lets me tell him what to do.

“Is this like the boat thing?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I guess I’d rather you be relaxed on the water. Then you won’t accidentally feed me to an alligator.”

“This river doesn’t have gators so it’s not an option.”

“Speaking of Gators.” He pulls a hat out of his bag. “I bought this for you.” He hands me a blue and white hat with a retro University of Florida logo.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“You went there, right? And you liked it? If you can’t endorse your university, then I don’t know how to help you.”

I should be annoyed. But I can’t. He found a way for me to be protected from the sun and not go against my values and I love it.

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