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I growl in frustration, my fists raised to the sky.

When I bend over, on the verge of a panic attack, I have a sense Tina and Jaz are watching me from the front porch. Nervous kids peek around the bushes. Casey closes in from the side yard.

Matt’s words wash over me again. They’re finally sinking in, and I don’t like the way they feel. I don’t want to believe them. I stand and grab his shoulders.

“They’re flying out now? Like, leaving early?” I shake him.

His head nods dramatically, but then he starts coughing like he’s choking. I smack him on the back, and Casey quickly joins in the emergency mission. He spits out a half-eaten cookie.

I squeeze my eyes shut as he heaves. This cannot be happening. My heart hammers so fast, it might explode.

“What’s wrong with you, dude?” Matt wipes his face with the back of his wrist. “I thought we’d moved past this. I thought you liked me now, but I guess I was wrong.” He kicks the cookie on the ground and mopes away to drop his head onto Casey’s shoulder, pouting.

She pats his back in a there, there manner and flashes me her do something eyes.

I sigh. I’m an asshole.

“Matt, I’m sorry. You know, buddy, I could really use your help,” I say, uttering the words I never dreamed I would.

Hell, I’m reaching out for him like he’s a lifesaver in the ocean. And honestly, with his romantic prowess, he might be the only one who understands the dire straits I’m in. My world has flip-flopped and doesn’t make sense.

Matt spins, places a gentle hand on his chest, and suddenly speaks French, “You need moi?”

“I need to you to drive the jalopy while I try to call Sophia. Can you do that for me?” I ask.

“Yes, dude! This is what I’m talking about. I love the big gesture in romance movies!” He karate-chops the air and then lunges forward for a high-five. His hand hangs for a moment. Waves for a moment.

After all this time, I finally, finally give in and slap his hand against mine, giving him what he wants. He turns to Casey for another high-five. She rolls her eyes, but does the same a little less enthusiastically, which pumps him up more.

It takes several minutes to get our act together, but after we do, Matt and I are speeding down Kaumualii Highway in the jalopy. He’s drives like a lunatic, swerving and changing lanes like we’re in a real-life auto-theft video game. His driving is so terrifying, I cover my eyes every time we nearly sideswipe another vehicle. I scream again, but for a new reason.

Revved up, Matt whoops at the helm and turns up the radio full blast. Eighties hair-band music rages through the speakers as he taps his fingers to the drumbeat on the steering wheel. The music lyrics about kick-starting someone’s heart makes him drive faster, crazier. I may die before I ever reach Sophia to apologize.

I started to call Sophia to state my case, but Matt swerved so hard, my hand knocked against door and my phone went flying. It landed under his feet, and now I’m too scared to reach for it. It’s a non-starter during this life-or-death moment. I tug at my seat belt to make sure it’s securely snapped in place. We could make impact at any moment.

“Where’d you learn to drive?” I ask after my cranium smashes into the headrest for the fifth time.

“Never learned, but I always wanted to.” He howls with the music. Before I can respond, he says, “Watch this!”

He downshifts on a sharp turn and the truck moans. He slams the gas, switches gears, and launches forward on the straightaway, taking out a small tree, a mailbox, and skids terrifyingly close to an elderly speed-walking club on the sidewalk.

I brace myself with the dashboard because I might hurl. My eyelids sink shut, and I try thinking about what I’ll say to Sophia if I’m lucky enough to see her again. Many scenarios play out in my head, but Matt’s driving is turning my brain into scrambled eggs.

At the airport drop-off, Matt slams on the brakes, and I whiplash forward and then back with my seat belt slicing into my skin. There’s zero chance it won’t leave a rash. The drive will leave a concussion.

“Delivered in under thirty,” Matt says like a proud pizza-delivery person. A grin is plastered on his mustached face.

“Thank you?” I shoot eye daggers at him as I peel myself shakily from my seat and stumble into the drop-off area.

It takes a moment to find my equilibrium on solid ground. When I do, I face my next unplanned task. I have to find a way past airport security without a ticket.

Just as I think Jaz could really help me in this situation, a side door pops open a little farther away. A nine-ish-year-old girl wearing a cat hoodie waves me forward.

I look around to make sure I’m the one she’s waving at. I point to myself, which makes her scoff with annoyance. Recognizing the same look I’d get from Jaz, I make my way to the girl and walk through the door, bypassing security completely. The door snaps shut behind us.

“Jaz said to tell you, gate three. They’re almost done boarding. You better run,” little cat-lady says, and I wonder how the hell she got wrapped up with Jaz’s junior mafia at such a young age.

I thank her and run for the gate. I’m cutting things so close, my heart hikes into my throat, threatening to jump out of my mouth. And honestly, I wouldn’t blame it for following Sophia without me.