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Rock Springs, Wyoming
December 23
8:42 pm

We make a stop in Rock Springs to grab some food and take a break from being on the road.

The town is small, every inch decorated for Christmas. There are lights hanging from every building, and the lamp posts are wrapped in garland and bows. Branches and sidewalks are covered in snow. It makes me feel like I'm in a holiday film. But then we pass by city hall, which has a giant inflatable Santa in front of it. This holiday film just got downgraded to a cheesy Lifetime movie.

"Where do you want to eat?" Edward asks.

"Honestly, I don't think we have many options."

"There's a diner up there. Does that work?"

"Sure."

He pulls over and parks next to the curb. I step out of the car, stretching my arms above my head. The air is cold and sharp, burning my nostrils when I breathe in. Edward pulls on his coat as he walks around the car. Snow crunches beneath our shoes as we walk side by side.

"I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to last," I tell him, yawning. "I need coffee."

"We only have two hours 'til we make it to Salt Lake City. If you're tired, you can always sleep in the car."

"No, I can't. I'm still not positive you're not going to kill me. That puts a damper on my sleeping schedule."

"Right. How stupid of me."

When we walk into the diner, a waitress behind the counter points toward an empty booth. We get settled as she places two waters and plastic menus in front of us.

"Holler when you're ready," she instructs.

"Can I just have everything?" I joke before she walks away. She stares blankly, not amused. "Okay, yeah, we'll let you know when we're ready."

Edward laughs when she disappears behind the swinging doors of the kitchen. "Nice."

"Tough crowd," I mutter.

His phone rings, and I glance down at the screen, seeing the name Alice before he picks it up.

"Ah, shit. I should get this."

"Yeah, yeah, go ahead."

I pretend I'm reading the menu while I listen to his conversation.

"Hey, sorry I didn't call you earlier." He pauses, listening. "Yeah, change of plans. I'm actually driving to Washington." Another pause. "Yeah, all the flights were cancelled, and they weren't sure when the storm would clear up. I should be there on Christmas day, though." He laughs at something she says, then ends the call, but not before saying I love you, too.

"Sorry," he tells me, sliding his phone into his pocket.

"No problem." I focus on the stained table. "Was that your wife?" I casually ask.

"No."

"Girlfriend?"

When he laughs, I look up. "No. That was my sister."

"Cool."

"Yeah. Do you need to call anyone… your boyfriend or whatever, while our phones have service?"

I don't even fucking know why, but the way he's staring at me makes my face heat up.

"I don't have a boyfriend."

"Girlfriend?" he teases.

"Nope. Not even a girlfriend. I think I'm better off alone."

He regards me for a moment. "I can see that."

I know he's only agreeing with what I've just said, but for some reason it annoys me when he says this. It's not like he even fucking knows me.

"Why do you think that?" I ask with more attitude than I should.

"I don't know." He shrugs. "You just seem too cool for everything."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I mean, don't get me wrong. It's highly amusing. I'm just wondering when you'll finally stop putting on a front."

"A front? Who are you, a member of TLC?" He chuckles, but doesn't say anything, so I add, "Sorry I'm not all fucking laid-back like you."

"You don't have to apologize."

"Clearly I do."

"Clearly you only hear what you want to hear."

"Clearly you… are just dumb."

I look away when he chuckles. If I just keep my eyes off his face then I won't notice things, like his squinty eyes or the way his lips curl when he laughs.

The waitress appears again, apathetically taking our orders. I don't make any jokes, and we hand over our menus before I busy myself with scrolling through Facebook.

Edward hums something. It sounds familiar but I can't place it.

"What are you humming?"

"Christmas With The Devil. It's by Spinal Tap," he explains. "Have you seen that movie 'This is Spinal Tap'?"

"Of course I have. I'm not a fucking caveman."

"Well, after they did the movie, they went on tour and made like, two or three albums. All their songs are hilarious." He pauses, rubbing his eye, then starts singing. "The elves are dressed in leather and the angels are in chains. Christmas with the Deviiiiil." His voice is high-pitched and '80s rock-ish and so ridiculous, I can't help but laugh. I wasn't expecting him to actually sing it.

"Oh my god." I'm laughing so hard, it turns into a wheeze. It's unattractive and embarrassing. I drink some water and collect myself.

He looks concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. That was just the most ridiculous thing ever."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "Glad I could entertain you… enough to make you laugh. Finally."

"That wasn't a laugh," I lie. "It was an asthma attack. Don't you feel stupid."

"Get over it. You think I'm funny."

I'll just pretend to ignore him until our food arrives.

I'm a dick 'cause I'm late for work so I could update, and also because I made Kim and Vic speed-read this chapter.

But hey, okay, thanks for reading, y'all!