Two Weeks

The plan, I learned soon after we left the study, was to look at maps and pin point my next town. We didn't get to it, the sudden tension in the house making us both want to leave for awhile.

Now, as I pulled a large hoodie over my head and slipped on some shoes, James was explaining the game plan for the day,

"Since the car must be two hours away—in the kindest of circumstances—I think we should see if the town could send a tow truck for it." I looked up at him, nodding and crossing my arms,

"This town doesn't seem very full of people."

"Oh, not at all. It's forty minutes away with an overall population that's less than 200," he shook his head, opening the front door and gesturing for me to go ahead of him, "It only fills up with a few more during the summer, when kids come to visit their retired grandparents."

I grinned, walking through and hearing him close the door before he began to lead the way. I was still insanely curious, continuing with my mini-interrogation,

"So, what's this town consist of?" He headed towards the back of the house, revealing a garage I didn't assume existed. It was more of a shed, really. James unlocked the door, answering my questions all throughout,

"A market for basic necessities, motel, a gas station, and an auto shop with spotty days. Oh, and bible study at a nice old lady's house every Thursday." I chuckled, about to question his knowledge when he cut in, "I get invited every time I see her, she wants to set her granddaughter up with a nice young man."

I had to keep from bursting out laughing, keeping it down to a giggle as he pulled open the gate of the shed, guiding out a motorcycle that seemed far too expensive to be there. It was practically squeaky clean, sleek black paint on it that made me wonder how long he'd had it for.

James turned it around, catching me ogling as he grinned,

"She's a beauty, right? Sadly, I haven't named her yet." He grabbed two helmets, passing one to me, "Maybe you can help with that."

I looked at the helmet in my hand, my eyes widening. Less than 24 hours and I was already getting on a motorcycle with him. I didn't know what more would make me want to stop and think about what led me here. Still, without much hesitation, I pulled the helmet over my head, adjusting the straps.

James was watching me, his helmet still in his hand as he motioned for me to climb on. I hesitated, before giving in and throwing my leg over, adjusting myself holding onto the sides of the seat. He glanced back, seeing what I was doing and rolling his eyes,

"I think it'd be better for you to hold on, most thirty minute trips turn into fifteen on this thing." My eyes widened and I let go immediately, instead wrapping my arms around his waist. I refrained from getting too close, deciding to try look over his shoulder. He put on his helmet, adjusting himself and putting his hands on the grip. With a kick of his foot, the bike was roaring.

I jumped, immediately edging closer to him out of instinct. I didn't have the time to get flustered, we were moving before I could protest. We went around the house on a small path they had, and turned onto the road.

He gave me less than a few second of a steady speed, before he tightened his grip on the handle and went even faster. I could've screamed, holding onto him tightly enough that I had a fist-full of his shirt. I could feel the laughter in his chest, his body relaxing against me.

I could've done the same, if he wasn't getting faster and faster. I look over his shoulder, at the trees that surrounded us on both sides. My mind finally took the time to think this all over. We were essentially in the middle of nowhere, would it hurt to stay a few days?

Even here, he wouldn't find me. Right?

I sighed, trying not to think of it. Whatever happens, we'd have to see. I didn't want to take advantage of James, he's been so much nicer than he had to be.

Before I knew it, we were slowing down, approaching a motel that had a path beside it. James made the turn immediately, leading into something close to what I imagined when he explained the lay out of this 'town'.

The path had, just as he mentioned, the motel on the left, the auto shop beside it, and then the market and gas station on the far left. We stopped right at the shop, James turning off the bike and letting me get off first. He did the same right after, parking it and taking off his helmet.

He put it on the seat, looking at me and laughing. I raised an eyebrow at him and undid the straps, but before I could take the helmet off, he did it for me. He placed it right beside his, grinning,

"You look like you enjoyed yourself," He said, a slight cockiness in his voice as he turned and locked it up. I rolled my eyes, nudging his leg with my foot,

"And by enjoying myself do you mean I got bugs in my teeth? Because yes, then I guess I did." I stepped back, turning to face the auto shop. It seemed like there was no one around for miles, just like at the house. I tried to look further in and saw some movement, realizing there was an old man inside. He probably didn't get a lot of business.

James was beside me soon enough, looking at the store with me,

"I'll go even faster on the ride back, then you'll get twice as many bugs," I gasped, looking at him with wide eyes, "Or you could learn to put the screen over your face."

I looked away, huffing slightly. He wasn't wrong, but the statement itself ruined my joke. I rolled my eyes, looking at him and then back at the shop as I began to walk,

"Well, if we get my car here today maybe I won't have to eat bugs on the way back."

I heard him chuckle softly, walking ahead of me and opening the door,

"Good luck with that, darling." I could practically see the challenge in his voice. I glared softly, before walking up the counter with a sudden air of confidence.

"Hello sir," I began, and the man simply sat there, his eyes slowly making their way towards me. I took a deep breath, and continued, "My car broke down on the side of the road, a couple hours from here, when do you think you could get a tow truck out there?"

The man shuffled around at a frustrating pace, looking at a notepad and putting on his glasses. He looked up at me, and looked back down,

"Two weeks."

My eyes widened, and I looked at James, who had a look of glee on his face. When he saw my expression, he immediately changed it to mirror mine. It wasn't working well. The joy in his eyes of seeing me absolutely lose was a little infuriating.

"Can I pay extra for you guys to come earlier?"

He shook his head, replying,

"It's too cold for tourist and backpacking season, we only have them here weekly when it gets hotter out."

At this point I didn't know wether I was disappointed or happy. Two weeks in the same place, which meant that he could catch up to me at any point. Two weeks in the middle of nowhere though, also meant I'd be near impossible to find. I took the long way instead of some highway.

Maybe he'd be fooled.

I sighed, glancing at James, immediately pulled out of the dilemma. He was calm, smiling even, glancing at me and then the man. He pulled out his wallet, leaning on the counter, looking just as carefree as he had when we got here,

"How much will it be?" I touched his arm, trying to stop him and he shook his head. He leaned his head down, whispering in my ear, "Its not much, you can pay me back later."

I nodded, sighing and watching the transaction silently. I didn't want to pout right now, but the annoyance was probably clear on my face. I should have brought money...

James pulled out a card, not even hesitating when he heard the price, and the man swiped it, giving him back a receipt.

"We'll send a guy out every two days to make sure the car is in good condition." I nodded slowly, trying for a smile and looking at him,

"Thank you so much." I grabbed James arm and practically dragged him out of the store, hearing him stumble and stopping once we were outside.

"You shouldn't have done that! God, did you know it'd take so long for my car to get towed?" He walked towards the bikes, a standard shit-eating grin on his face.

Even that managed to look nice on him.

"I suspected," He mumbled, loud enough for me to ear. I hit his arm softly, "Ow! Okay, hey, I didn't know it'd take two weeks. I thought like, two or three more days." I glared at him softly, looking over at the motel in the distance,

"Well... now I have to go see if they have rooms." He turned to me, helmet in hand, entirely confused. I pointed to the motel behind him, and he looked, looking back at me in disbelief,

"Wait, what? Colette, I mean this with the most amount of respect, but that place reeks of druggies and month-old cigarettes." I had to stifle a laugh, trying to hold back a grin,

"I can't keep bothering you and your brother," I said quietly, the statement itself seeming futile, considering the way his expression changed,

"You were never a bother in the first place,"

"Alex hates me."

He looked away, his expression practically mirroring the struggle he was going through to say otherwise. I huffed, crossing my arms,

"See! He does. You know he does." James shook his head, cutting in now,

"Alex doesn't trust people easily," He looked away, sighing before his eyes fell back on me, "Especially girls. Please, give it a few days. He really doesn't hate you, I promise."

I leaned against the bike slightly, studying him for a few seconds. He seemed so sincere, I couldn't help but cave.

"Fine... Just make sure Alex is okay with it. And name a price, I should already be paying you for everything you've done." James shook his head, but kept from saying anything as he smiled.

He knew I wouldn't budge on this subject. He was lucky enough I enjoyed his company, or I wouldn't be staying with them much longer.

He pulled his helmet over his head, passing me the other one. As we set off, I leaned my head on his back, closing my eyes and relaxing against the wind that whipped against us.

What had I just gotten myself into?