Jamie grabbed the dishes from the kitchen and carried them towards the dining table. The whole family was gathered for the Sunday dinner.
'Mom, how long? I have to go back soon. Duty Calls.' Danny called out.
Jamie glanced at him irritated. 'Don't be a moron Danny.'
Danny shot him a surprised look. 'What crawled up your ass kid?'
'Jamie. Danny.' Frank mildly interrupted which cut off whatever Jamie had opened his mouth to say.
The youngest Reagan shook his head and went back to the kitchen. His inability to deal with the guilt at lying to his parents was slowly morphing into irritation.
During the meal, his brother-in-law Jack brought up the dreaded topic yet again. Jamie failed to understand his family's obsession slash fascination with his plans. It was as if the universe was punishing him.
'So Jamie, I hear you are going with your friends to Maine.'
'You heard right, Jack,' Jamie snapped, his voice tinged with attitude.
Even though he was looking at his plate, he could easily visualize half of his family staring at him and the other half exchanging glances with each other.
It sucked to be the youngest.
But apparently, Danny didn't get the memo that Jamie did notwant to talk about his trip.
'Kid, do you have all the equipment…' He didn't get to finish his sentence as Jamie bellowed.
'For god's sake Danny, it would not kill you to use that brain of yours once in a while.'
Danny jerked back at his brother's venomous tone while his mother glared at him.
'That's enough Jamie. If you can't be civil, don't open your mouth at all.'
Jamie's face heated at his mother's censure in front of the entire family.
He was about to mumble a quiet apology when Erin started in a normal tone.
'Danny, you know Jamie doesn't want to discuss his plans with us.'
Jamie lifted his face to shoot Erin a grateful look but stopped abruptly when Erin broke in a fit of giggles and said. 'He is all grown up now.'
Jamie dropped his fork on the table with a loud clatter and pushed his chair back. 'I am out of here.'
He stormed out of the room. In his anger, he didn't register his father's quiet footsteps following him.
Jamie slammed the door of his room and fell on the bed with his face buried in the pillow.
This time, he did register the opening and the quiet closing of the door.
'Son.' His father's quiet voice did wonders on him. He breathed deeply and sat up.
'Dad, I am sorry.'
His father waved away his apology.
'I understand that your siblings can get under your skin. I'll be having words with Erin.'
Jamie felt some sort of satisfaction.
'But…' His father began and Jamie's face fell again. 'You shouldn't have talked to Danny or Jack that way. I realize that you need your privacy but that tone has never been and never will be acceptable.'
'Yes dad.'
'So…' Frank smiled. 'Have you got the whole equipment?'
His youngest had to do some quick thinking on his feet. 'Uh yeah. Sam said he'll take care of it. He camps with his friends all the time.'
'You sure?'
Jamie could only nod his head.
'Let me know if you need anything. His father turned to go. 'And I'll save you a plate.'
Two days later, Jamie was ready to go. After enduring half an hour of his mother's fussing, he bade goodbye to his father who pulled him in a hug. 'Have fun Jamie.'
Jamie smiled at him and quickly moved out of the door.
David lived two streets across.
The four friends were going to travel in his car.
When he reached his best friend's home, Mandy and Sarah were already there. They waited till the brothers had said goodbye to their parents. And then everyone got in the car with Sam as the driver.
Five minutes into the drive, Sam smirked and remarked.
'I didn't know you four had it in you.'
'I did not know you had it in you either.' Jamie retorted.
Sam shrugged in reply and snorted.
After Sam had gotten off at his friend's place, David grabbed the steering wheel and the fun began for the four friends.
They loudly played songs and sang along to them. Jamie was starting to realize why most of the TV shows based on high school life had a road trip to their credit.
He was having the time of his life. The sweet smell of freedom of the open road was hitting him fast.
'Ah…' Jamie stretched his arms. 'I wish I could stay on these roads forever. With you guys.'
'The charm wears off fast.' David supplied.
'Thanks David,' Jamie sarcastically replied.
'Just telling you the truth,' David smirked slightly.
'Hey. Do you want me to take the wheel anytime soon?' The youngest Reagan asked his friend concernedly.
'Nah, I am fine. But you should take a nap or something if we want to drive through the night.'
'I have a better idea. Why don't we stay in a motel to enjoy the whole road experience?' Mandy asked excitedly.
'I am not sure if they'll let us check in or not. I mean, that is the whole reason why we are staying with Jess.'
Jess was Sarah's neighbor and friend who had moved to California for college five years ago. She had kind of settled there, as well as a recent college graduate could.
'We could always try,' David shrugged.
'Yeah. And only a shady motel will let us in.' Jamie immediately refuted.
'Jamison. Let's live a little on the edge.' David drawled like a wise old man.'
'This is like jumping off the edge and if my dad finds out that I did this along with all the other stuff, he'll definitely kill me.'
'Dude. Let me tell you know one thing. If your dad finds out that you went to LA, he'll get the rest of the stuff out of you too.' Sarah commented amusingly. 'I know this because my dad is in police too.'
'And then mine and David's parents are going to get notified. Better sharpen yourselves guys.' Mandy said.
'So, are we staying at a motel or not?' David asked.
'Let's do it.' Jamie gave the go-ahead. 'I have come this far. I am going to enjoy this whole trip.'
Jamie turned to give his girlfriend a quick peck on her lips and just like that, Amanda knew that Jamie was going all in.
TBC…
A/N: So, the trip has begun. Tbh, I am having so much fun writing this story. The whole process relaxes me in between study breaks.
A/N2: Please review guys. Feedback from the readers is really encouraging. I would love to hear your comments, suggestion etc.
A/N3: Thanks for all the reviews, follows, favorites so far.