“Do you want a glass of water?” I ask Emerson.
She shakes her head.
“I guess we can go back to the resort and see if we can get a room.”
“But we have work tomorrow. I have a big meeting,” Kel says in a huff.
“What other choice do we have?” Finn replies.
Emerson starts typing on her phone. “It’s eight hours if we drive.”
We collectively spin toward her.
“I’m not staying here. I need to get home.” She pushes up from the seat like it hurts to move. “I’m renting a car. You’re welcome to come with me or not. But I’m not staying here another second.”
She slowly ambles away from us as we stare at each other.
“I’m not letting her drive alone. What’s eight hours among friends?” Kel says with a shrug before rushing to catch up with her. Ernesto follows. Finn and I stand, staring at each other.
“I don’t think Em is feeling very well.”
“I saw that,” Finn replies with concern.
“Even if they go with her, she’ll still have to drive most of the way on her own,” I begin. “Kel doesn’t have his license. I don’t even know if Ernesto reads English.”
He nods.
“I know the idea of being cooped up with me in a car again probably disgusts you, but can we do this, one last time?” I lower my head in fear of his response.
He lifts my chin with his fingers. “You could never disgust me. Ever. Let’s get this carpool reunion started.”
An hour later, we’re settled in an SUV that Finn insisted on paying for with his credit card.
Emerson threw up in the parking lot. She’s as white as a ghost and doesn’t want to talk. It’s so unlike her. I’m worried sick.
Finn insists on taking the first shift and out of habit, we take our usual places in the car. The man at the rental place said we were crazy for trying to drive in this weather, but Finn assured him we’d be fine.
It’s dead silent in the car. Everyone is nervous as Finn tries to maneuver onto the road.
“Maybe this was a mistake,” I whisper to him.
“We’ll be fine. I promise.”
Kel keeps glancing over at Emerson. Her eyes are closed and she’s leaning on the window. I can tell he’s worried about her too.
Finn’s GPS advises us to stay off the highway. There’s a major pile-up and traffic isn’t moving. It reroutes us onto backroads.
“Finn, really. I’m scared. Look at this snow.”
“This is nothing. In New York we’d call this a dusting.”
“But you never drove in New York,” I add.
“Yes, but I watched a lot of people do it.”
I give him a look he seems to recognize and he laughs. “It’s why I insisted on all-wheel drive. We’ll be fine. Cars like this were made for snow travel.”
Every once in a while, Emerson moans in her sleep. It scares the shit out of us. My leg starts tapping and Finn reaches over and places his hand on my knee.
