Page 31 of One of Them Girls

“Like you could leave me behind. I would’ve hunted your ass down.” She throws her arm around my shoulder just as the boys knock on the door.

“Beautiful ladies. Are you ready to go?” Jack sweeps in the room with Xavier following behind.

“Are those your bags?” He gestures to Rebecca’s.

“Nope. This is it.” I turn, showing him the backpack on my back.

“Seriously? Could you even fit anything in there?”

I shrug. “Well, the panties wouldn’t fit so I’ll be going commando for the trip, but I figured you wouldn’t mind.”

I swear his mouth drops open as Jack howls with laughter behind him.

Rebecca slides in next to me. “Do you mind, Xavier? If my girl here doesn’t wear panties the entire trip?”

He swallows hard. “Nope. So what prize do you want?”

I shake my head. “You never said there was a time limit. I’m still deciding what I want.”

“By all means, take your time,” he says sarcastically.

“I will. Thank you,” I say, walking out the door.

I can hear Jack shamelessly flirting with Rebecca, making me smile. He’s such a flirt, but if anyone can be a match for him, it’s her. She doesn’t put up with anyone’s shit.

“Shotgun,” I call as we make our way to Xavier’s car.

“Hey,” Rebecca half-heartedly complains.

“Is that your prize?” Xavier teases.

“Nope. Just road trip rules.” I shoot him a wink before getting in the car, putting my bag at my feet.

As Jack helps Rebecca with her bags, Xavier joins me in the car. “Who said we were going on a road trip?”

“Well, if it requires an overnight stay, I would have to say it’s quite a bit away.”

“Clever girl. I’ll have to watch out for you,” he says as he turns on the car.

Jack and Rebecca get into the back seat, bickering already.

“All right, kids. Settle down.” Xavier smiles over at me.

“Can you tell me where we are going now?” Rebecca asks.

“Nope.” Xavier looks at her in his rearview mirror. “It’s a surprise.”

As he pulls the car on the road, I hear Rebecca mumble to herself, “If that ain’t the most serial killer thing I’ve ever heard.”

I chuckle as Jack tries to draw her into conversation. I reach over and turn on the radio, putting it on my favorite country station.

“Driver picks the music,” Xavier says, reaching to turn the station.

I swat his hand. “Passenger is DJ. Road trip law. Everyone knows this.”

“So I have eight hours of country to look forward to?”

My eyes widen at the little tidbit he let slip. “Eight hours? Are we going to Corpus Christi?”