The drive was happily uneventful, though with a lot more stops than usual so that Sam could get the kinks out from scrunching into the tiny car.

Taylor took the frequent stops as opportunities to swap back and forth between the two cars, keeping both of us company. It was very different to having Sam in the passenger seat, but it was good to not be stuck with my own thoughts for hours at a time.

It even turned out we had the same taste in music, and before long the two of us were belting out rock songs at the top of our lungs.

Apparently Sam was taking the opportunity to drive in peace and quiet. Taylor wouldn't tell me what the two of them talked about when she was with him. I bet they were talking about me…

After a couple of hours we pulled into a diner for lunch. Taylor insisted that she was fine to wait a while longer, but her stomach growling told a different story.

I chuckled, and indicated to let Sam know we were stopping.

Taylor laughed, "Yeah, ok, so I'm hungry. I just want to get home, you know?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I know, don't worry we will only stop long enough to refuel."

Sam pulled up next to me and we all got out.

"Crutches." Sam prodded me on his way past.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yes, mum."

Taylor laughed.

I pulled the crutches out and followed Sam inside. He'd already picked out a four seat table near the window.

I took the seat opposite the door, where I had the best spot to keep an eye on the rest of the diner. Force of habit…

Taylor sat opposite me, and Sam shifted the chair next to me so that I could put my leg up before sitting down next to her.

"I'm not a damn cripple." I grumbled at him, earning me teasing grin.

"That's what you get for going and breaking yourself again." Sam told me.

A grandmotherly looking waitress approached the table then. She placed a menu in front of each of us. "So, sport or alcohol?" She asked me playfully.

I blinked, having expected something more along the lines of 'what can I get you?'

"Your leg. What'd you do?" She laughed.

"Oh." I grinned, "Alcohol…"

"He fell down the stairs." Taylor inputted helpfully, laughing at me.

"Backwards." Sam added for good measure, grinning too.

The woman laughed, eyes twinkling, "Good to know your friends care, huh?"

I nodded, "Oh, yes. Such caring people." I tossed a drink coaster at Sam, who caught it easily and tossed it back.

"So, would you like some time to look at the menu?" I shook my head and she held her notepad ready. I liked this woman.

"I'll have a burger with the lot, fries and a large coke. Thanks." I told her, hardly glancing at the menu. They were all pretty much the same these diners.

She looked at Taylor, but she was actually reading the menu, so she turned to Sam instead.

Sam gave a quick glance at the menu, "Large chicken caesar salad and a large diet coke, please."

She nodded. "What about you dear?" She asked Taylor.

Taylor looked up from studying the menu. "Fish and chips and a large coke, thanks."

The woman nodded again. "Excellent. Shouldn't be long." She smiled and headed to the kitchen.

"You want to check where your friends are at?" I asked Taylor.

She pulled out her phone, "Sure."

While she dialled Sam pulled out a map and pointed out our current location for her to relay to her friends.

Our drinks arrived and I thanked the woman.

"So, looks like we'll meet around here," Sam pointed to the map when Taylor finished talking and hung up, "in a couple of hours." He took a sip of his drink. "Your friends are making good time."

I nodded and smiled at her. "Looks like you'll be sleeping in your own bed again tonight."

She nodded, then grinned at me, raising an eyebrow. "Don't suppose you want to join me?" She winked.

Sam made a choked laughing noise into his drink before sitting it on the table and standing up. "I'm…ah, going to use the facilities." He nodded at the idea and quickly walked away from the table.

"Coward." I laughed and Taylor did too.

"So?" She was still waiting on an answer.

"Look." I sighed, "It's not like I don't want to. You're…definitely…" I cleared my throat. "It's just…"

"Is it the age thing?" She asked. "Because I am nineteen…not twelve." She gave her chest a little shimmy to emphasise her point.

I smirked, "Oh, I know…trust me…" I sighed, "I'll admit, if you were a couple of years older…well, it would make this decision a little…harder."

She smirked at my choice of word, and I shrugged with a grin.

"So…" She prompted, "What's the problem?"

I made a frustrated noise. "You…you were my brother…you know? It's just…too…"

"Weird." She finished, with an understanding, if frustrated, sigh.

I nodded, "Yeah. Sorry. If things were different…" I winked at her

She giggled, then shrugged. "Oh well. If you ever change your mind…" She gave another, rather suggestive shimmy and I laughed.

Sam reappeared then, helping the waitress carry our food. "Thank you." He smiled at her.

"Thank you." She replied, sitting the food down on the table. "Let me know if you need anything else." She grinned at us, obviously having seen the end of our conversation…then wandered off.

Sam raised an eyebrow at us, "You good?"

"We're good." I assured him, and we all tucked into our lunch.


Hi everybody! Ah! So close, one to go and we are done! Don't worry though, I already have ideas for at least three more stories floating around in my head waiting to be written! Not to give too much away, but if you haven't read Caught in the Middle yet, I recommend it ;)

Thank you to BonanzaRocks and Lady Nivian for continuing to review all the way to the end!