I'm so sorry that I haven't been updating this fanfic! School is getting so busy during the 2nd semester! It is summer vacation for Clara and Tucker, so things are going to get a little steamy in Jackson. Hope you enjoy!
"C'mon, Tuck!" Wendy says while bouncing in her seat like she did on car trips when we were little. "Hurry up already!"
I smile at her persistence. Wendy has been going on about this veterinary internship since last summer. Seeing her so excited makes me happy even though I don't show it.
"Hey, now, you could at least show a little gratitude. I am the one driving you."
"Yes, yes, I am forever indebted to you, now please step on it. I know you want to see Clara as much as I do," she says. I almost stopped the car.
"What are you talking about Wends?" I ask. Wendy knows?! How long? Has she told anyone? Has she told Carrots? I can feel her looking at me.
"Tuck, I've known for a while now. It was pretty obvious to me. You can't hide these things from your twin," she says. There's an awkward silence in the car. No chance of backing out of this one.
"Okay, so I like her. Don't say a word, you hear?" I say. It's mortifying enough Dad figured it out, adding Wendy to this is unimaginable. I would die on the spot if Carrots found out before I told her.
"Lips sealed," Wendy says with a smirk. No matter how much I love my sister, she can be a real pain.
"Have you thought about what I suggested?" she asks.
I've been stealing glances at Carrots after prom wanting to tell her how I felt but knowing it wasn't the right time. Heck, I don't know if there will ever be a right time but you can't just go up to a girl and profess your love to her, can you? But Wendy's suggestion was perfect and I've been thinking about it almost non-stop. Not that I was going to tell her so.
"Nope," I lie. "Didn't cross my mind till you mentioned it just now." Wendy doesn't look convinced. Luckily we were coming up close and Carrots's house was just around the bend.
Now, let me tell you that I would never have expected to find a Silver Avalanche parked in my Carrots's driveway much less seeing her and Prescott standing way too close, talking. What is he doing here?!
Christian and I were never really friends and we didn't hang around with the same crowd but after prom, I couldn't stand to look at him. Leading Carrots on like that, it's not something I would let go easily. It's already frustrating enough that I know she stills crushes on the guy, but it's even worse when you know he doesn't deserve it.
Wendy's already out the car and the way that her shoulders are tensed up I can tell she doesn't approve of Clara and Prescott either. I smile. There's my sis for you.
I roll down my window to see if I could hear any of their conversations, but beyond Bluebell's engine, nothing. Dang it! I sat back and watched everything from the driver's seat of the window. Why's Prescott here? I thought he would already be in the Big Apple by now. Why was he standing so close to Carrots? I want to hit something. What if he hurts her again?
I watch as Wendy and Carrots talk to each other. I'm glad that she's ignoring Prescott's presence while talking to my sister. Wendy's the best. Though I will never admit that to her in person.
The way Carrots's shoulders slump a little makes my heart throb for her again. She really will be lonely with everyone gone, won't she? Carrots runs into her house for a minute and comes out with something in her hand. I can't make out what it is, but judging by Wendy's shocked expression, it wasn't an extra pair of socks.
Clara says something and Wendy looks at the present for a minute then takes it with gratitude shining in her eyes.
I check my watch to see how much time we have left. I tap the horn. Time to get going.
They hug and I'm immediately touched by their friendship. I'm glad Wendy has a best friend like Carrots, it's made her much more lively.
I hate to break their hug but…
"Sorry, sis, but we have to take off now. Can't miss your plane," I say.
"All right, all right," Wendy says to me. She hugs Carrots one last time then dashes for Bluebell while I look to see if I can get out. I notice that the Avalanche is blocking me. I think it's time for Mr. Popular to go too.
I call out of my window, "Hey Chris."
"How's it going, Friar Tuck?" he says and smiles at me. I don't smile back.
"You're blocking me," I say. "I could go around, but I don't want to mess up their grass." I smirk inwardly.
"Yeah, no problem," he says. Then he looks at Carrots. I make a fist. Chill, Tuck, he's just going to say so long, farewell, and be on his way to New York City.
Then Prescott hugs Carrots. I can hear myself breathing really hard. I can't see anything but red. Nobody. Hugs. My Clara. Especially. Christian. Prescott. I feel Wendy put a hand on me. I have to struggle with the urge to jump out the car and beat Prescott to pulp for touching my Carrots. I rev my engine instead, making Carrots jump and they pull apart. I close my eyes take a breath to clear my brain. Man, what has gotten into me?
When I open my eyes, I see Prescott saying goodbye and walking away. Good for him. He looks up as if he heard this and he nods to me. I glare back at him. He doesn't seem to notice and walks toward his truck.
As our trucks are driving away, I look into my rear-view mirror to see Carrots waving at us with her hair blowing in the breeze and dust floating around her feet. I breathe in a lungful of air. She's so beautiful.
We get to the airport with 26 minutes for Wendy to go through security and get on her flight. Before I pull up at the entrance, I'm struck with a little emotion. My wonderfully annoying twin sister is going to be miles away and I'm going to miss her to death.
"Have fun, Wends," I say. Thankfully my voice didn't crack. That would've been embarrassing. "I'll miss you, sis." I see Wendy's eyes glaze over a little. She leans over to hug me.
"I'll miss you too, Tuck," she says as she pulls away and gets out the truck. She turns around and smiles. "You have a good summer too." I give a little wave and put Bluebell into drive.
"Hey, Tuck," Wendy says. I look up to see that she's still there.
"Yeah, what's up, Wends?"
"Promise you'll think about my suggestion?" she says. I can feel my ears heat up. After our whole emotional brotherly/sisterly goodbye, she brings this up?
"Uhh…" I say. I can't think. "Sure."
"You better," she tells me. Then she puts her serious face on. "She's not going to wait forever, you know. If you don't do something, you'll lose her." She smirks at me. Jesus, my sister is challenging me to date her best friend.
"Whatever Wends," I say and roll my eyes. I look back at her and match her smirk with my own. Challenge accepted. We say goodbye and I watch her as she walks into the building.
As I'm driving, I'm thinking about what I'll do with Carrots this summer. Wendy's already planned for me to take Carrots out starting on her birthday, June 20. I smile. I'm not backing out this time. Clara is going to be mine this summer and I'll do everything I can to make that happen. I glance out the rolled-down window as the trees of Jackson Hole pass by in a blur. Bring it on.