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“Shit, I forgot about that,” she says, getting up and going to the announcer. The live stream is cut a few moments later and the cameras are turned off. She returns. “Fixed it.”
“Thanks. Now I guess we’re eating four and a half pounds of fucking steak each.”
I pull my hat down farther. If Weston is searching for me …here’s a crumb.
She leans over, placing her palm on my cheek, forcing me to seeher.When I look into her green eyes, it’s almost like the whole room quiets as I focus on her, even though it doesn’t.
A minute later, our big-ass steaks, the size of a plate, are set in front of us. We’re allowed to make sure it was prepared correctly before we begin eating this comically large amount of food.
“We’re losing,” I say, glancing at her, not rushing as I take a bite of steak because it’s allowed to test the temperature.
She’s right; it is fucking good.
“I know,” she says, raising her eyebrows with a smirk. “I didn’t think it was this big.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard you say that,” I mutter into her ear.
The timer starts, but neither of us rushes. When the timer runs out, it’s obvious neither of us tried.
Afterward, we walk outside and take selfies next to the historic sign that talks about the old Route 66 road and how it traveled by the restaurant before the interstates were built.
The parking lot is full, and people shuffle in and out. It’s a tourist attraction.
Lexi and I walk across the parking lot with enough leftover steak in to-go boxes to feed a family of ten.
“That was a mistake,” she says, holding her stomach. “But it’s been on my list since I was a teenager. Dad and I said we’d always take the drive, but we never got around to it.”
“Did you make him proud?”
She shakes her head. “No way. He’d have at least expected me to get halfway.”
When we enter our home for the night, Lexi and I fall onto the bed and stare at the ceiling.
“I don’t think I’m eating meat for a year.”
“Me neither,” she says, turning toward me.
I glance at her. “Are you happy?”
“Sodamn happy,” she says in a whisper. “Areyou?”
“I’ve never been happier,” I say as she kisses my scruffy chin. I haven’t shaved once since we left. “That’s a truth.”
“I know,” she says, wrapping her arm around me and lying on my chest.
I could stay like this all night. Forever, even.
Aknock wakes us from sleep. At first, I’m unsure where I am, but I see it says it’s four in the morning on the bedside clock.
“Easton,” I hear a voice say outside.
Lexi rolls over. “Who is that? Brody?”
“I think,” I say, moving to the door and glancing outside.
My cousin is agitated.
I open the door and he glares at me like I’m an inconvenience.