Summer Ride

by Susan Laine

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  More from Susan Laine

  About the Author

  By Susan Laine

  Visit Dreamspinner Press

  Copyright

  Summer Ride

  By Susan Laine

  High school best friends Toby Billings and Jim Maverick went their separate ways after graduation. Five years later, they meet by chance. Toby needs a ride, and Jim offers to give him one.

  During a journey across several states, with stops at roadside diners, state parks, and cheap motels, small talk turns to serious discussions of lives that didn’t turn out the way either of them dreamed. Their choices are catching up to them, and neither is on an innocent summer vacation. Renewing their friendship will mean painful admissions and secrets coming to light. Yet they discover they have more in common now than they ever guessed, and going their separate ways at the trip’s end won’t be easy.

  After aimlessly wandering the country, all roads lead back home. But first they must decide what home means.

  Chapter 1

  “TOBY, IS that you?”

  Toby ignored the speaker and stared, undecided, into the bus station, where the sight of a tacky souvenir shop and smells of tobacco and trash commanded his attention. Considering he was in a town he’d never visited—never heard of until today—statistically, at least one person around might be named Toby. The likelihood that someone was actually talking to him was low.

  Then he was proved wrong.

  “Toby Billings?”

  Startled, Toby turned toward the sound of his full name.

  A man walked closer. Toby frowned, his memory jogged. The man was tall and fit, with short sand-brown hair, hazel eyes, and a dusting of golden-brown freckles on his nose and across his cheeks. He was clean-shaven, had on dark dress pants, a white dress shirt with its sleeves rolled up, a light brown velvet vest, and a purple tie, and he wore purple thin-rimmed glasses.

  “Jimmy? Jimmy Maverick?”

  “I mostly go by just Jim these days. More grown-up. But I’ll still be Jimmy for you.”

  Smiling, Jimmy closed the gap between them. Toby offered his hand to shake, but Jimmy caught it between them as he pulled Toby into a manly hug, complete with three slaps on the back. The spicy scent of an expensive cologne assailed Toby’s senses, and he felt the solid warmth of Jimmy’s firm body pressed against his. When they separated, Toby could only stare and occasionally blink.

  Jimmy grinned. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “Uh, well, I…,” Toby sputtered. “I didn’t expect to see anyone I know. What are you doing here?”

  Jimmy shrugged. “Just passing through. You?”

  Toby gestured over his shoulder at the bus station. “Same.”

  Jimmy nodded, growing serious. “I’m sorry. Am I keeping you?”

  “Nah. No, you aren’t. I haven’t bought a ticket yet.”

  “Where you headed?”

  “Nowhere in particular. Just west. Gonna take the first bus going west.”

  Jimmy’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. “Huh. Feeling adventurous, full of wanderlust?”

  Toby ducked his head to hide his face. His emotions ran too deep. “Just traveling, I guess.”

  Jimmy was quiet for a moment. Then he chuckled. “Wow, look at you.” He gestured at his own jaw while studying Toby’s. “What’s up with that?”

  For a second Toby was confused. Then he touched his trim black beard and laughed. “Oh, the beard? It’s new. I decided I needed to get rid of that baby face now that I’m an adult.”

  “Aww.” Jimmy made a childish pouty expression. “I always liked your baby face.”

  “Shut up.” Toby almost shoved his high school best friend on the shoulder, like they used to do, but at the last minute he remembered they weren’t that close anymore.

  “You’ve lost weight,” Jimmy noted, waving at Toby’s lean form.

  “Yeah, I’ve been exercising a lot and cutting down on red meat and carbs.” Toby left his response vague. He didn’t want to get into this right now—or ever.

  “Your hair’s grown too,” Jimmy said, his tone awed, a puzzled frown between his eyes.

  “Oh, yeah, I—” Toby touched his black hair that had to look shaggy now that it had grown down way past his ears. “—felt like a change, is all.” He chuckled awkwardly, starting to feel weird about having to defend his appearance.

  “Your eyes haven’t changed,” Jimmy remarked, smiling again. “Still the same deep blue. Midnight blue. Like that song by Louise Tucker.”

  Much to his own surprise, Toby blushed. He wasn’t sure what the compliment was about. It sounded funny coming from his old best friend. “Man, how long’s it been?”

  “Since we last spoke? When was that, at graduation? So five years, then.”

  Toby whistled low. How could five years feel like fifteen? Then again, how could twenty-three feel like eighty-three? He was spent. Too tired for someone at the cusp of his life.

  As for Jimmy… well, in five years the boy had become a man. An awfully handsome man.

  “So, uh, where you off to?” Toby glanced inside the station. “You taking a bus too?”

  “God no. I have a car.” Jimmy waved indistinctly toward the back of the station where the parking lot was. “Decided to pop in to buy a map.”

  Toby scratched his head. “Your car doesn’t have GPS?”

  “Oh, it does. But it’s so boring and impersonal.” Jimmy cleared his throat and feigned the tinny voice of an emotionless woman. “Drive a gazillion miles through purgatory, then turn right at the intersection to reach your destination: Hell.”

  Toby chuckled. “Nice impression of a machine voice.”

  “Not too robotic?” Jimmy teased.

  Toby shook his head. “You do know you can customize the voice, right?”

  “Pfft.” Jimmy rolled his eyes, dismissing the suggestion with a swish of his wrist. “In any case, the computer kind of takes all the fun out of driving. Besides, like with books, I prefer to feel paper in my hands.”

  Toby nodded even though he adored his e-reader and audiobooks. “Well, instead of a bus station, you might have better luck at a gas station or a tourist hot spot.”

  “You think?” Jimmy cocked his head, seemingly assessing the news.

  “Probably,” Toby replied. “I’d rather use GPS than fight with a paper map while I’m driving.”

  “Ah, the digital revolution.” Jimmy pretended to be rueful, as though he were standing in a cemetery in front of an open grave, paying his respects. Then he visibly regrouped and observed Toby with a discerning eye. “Since you’re not headed anywhere in particular, same as me, how about me giving you a lift?”

  Toby tensed. “Uh, that’s real nice of you to offer, but—”

  “But nothing.” Jimmy regarded the buses parked by the platforms around them, and he scrunched his nose.

  Toby had to agree that the stench of fumes and street dust was pretty bad, although in his opinion it was overshadowed by the constant noise from the dozens of people milling about, an ever-present droning in the background.

  “I promise you’d be way more comfortable with me,” Jimmy coaxed. “My ca
r’s spacious, top-of-the-line.”

  “Um, I’m kinda on a budget here, and—”

  “You mean, like, with gas money and shit? Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.” He smiled. It was a familiar, infectious gesture that Toby felt instantly drawn to. Jimmy had always had a charmer’s silver tongue. “C’mon, man. I’d really love the company. And hey, you can read the map for me. Your voice beats the machine’s any day.”

  “I don’t know….” Toby rubbed the back of his neck, indecisive. He was tempted to accept the offer. It wasn’t the car alone; he remembered the time when Jimmy had been his best friend fondly. And buses sucked after a while, same as trains or any public transport.

  “Don’t make me beg,” Jimmy wheedled. “I’ll buy you as much coffee as a human being can possibly consume.” Then he eyed Toby suspiciously. “Unless you’re one of those ‘my body is my temple’ weirdos who detests coffee?”

  Toby laughed, relaxed again. He’d made his decision. “Who, me? Nah. Spent many an eon in line at various Starbucks.”

  “Great. Then it’s decided.” Jimmy’s easy humor and sincere entreaties made Toby feel better than he had in months.

  That didn’t mean, however, that Toby couldn’t rib the guy a little. “I am a vegan, though.”

  Jimmy’s eyes rounded into saucers. “What? Really?”

  Toby smirked. “No, not really.”

  Jimmy burst into wild guffaws and clapped Toby on the back. Funny but it felt just like old times. Toby couldn’t help but wonder why the two of them had ever drifted apart. Perhaps a road trip would answer that question.

  Chapter 2

  “HOLY SHIT, that’s your car? Must’ve cost a fortune.” Toby approached the purple SUV, his voice hushed in awe.

  Jimmy wanted to beam from the praise and feel pride at the accomplishment of owning a luxury car. Instead he broke out in a cold sweat. He forced out an awkward chuckle. “I suppose you could say it’s a company car.” Before Toby could ask more, Jimmy gestured for him to get in. “Let’s get going, huh? No need to waste daylight.”

  Toby nodded, tossed his backpack onto the back seat, and sat in the passenger seat. Jimmy followed suit, took the driver’s seat, and started the ignition. The low rumble turned into a steady hum as Jimmy steered the car out of the parking lot into the street heading out of town.

  The car had retained some of its new car smell even after almost a year. Jimmy kept the vehicle clean. Sure, he had luggage in the trunk and grocery bags in the back seat, but nothing stinky, oozy, or likely to stain. Even the floor mats carried little dirt and zero pebbles.

  “Is this a hybrid?” Toby asked, shifting to make himself comfortable. A soft, satisfied sigh escaped his lips, and Jimmy smiled at the reaction. Leather seats, even faux leather, were brilliant.

  “Yeah. Electric cars are here to stay. As soon as the charging points become nationwide, I’ll probably sell this one in exchange for a full electric one. You?”

  “I don’t own a car.” Was it Jimmy’s imagination that Toby tensed at the topic? “No need to have a car when I live on campus and work right around the corner at an eatery.”

  “Waiter, huh?”

  “Yeah, part-time—weeknights and occasionally weekends.”

  “That’s right. You got a full ride for… sorry, I’ve forgotten where you went to college.”

  Except he hadn’t forgotten. Toby had been vague about his plans after graduation, and it had always bothered Jimmy that his best friend had been so reticent. Why not tell the truth? Not like going to college was some special secret. Only for Toby it had been a secret, one he hadn’t shared with Jimmy.

  Toby blushed as if aware what Jimmy was up to. “Northeastern University, the College of Engineering. Finished undergrad last year. This is my first year of grad school.”

  “Right, that school. Sorry, my memory’s failing. Maybe I’m developing Alzheimer’s.” Jimmy laughed a little to show he was joking. Deep down, though, he knew for a fact he hadn’t been given this gold nugget of information. Toby had kept this from him. Why?

  Toby chuckled too, but there was little joy in the sound. “I’m thinking of switching to the Wentworth Institute of Technology or some other place.”

  “Oh?” When Toby clammed up, Jimmy decided to come at the subject from a different direction. “You live in Boston, then, huh? Me too. Weird we never ran into each other.”

  “Big city.” Toby glanced at him; Jimmy felt the look on his skin. “You’re at Harvard Law School, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. Finished my prelaw undergrad studies in three years. Took summer school to get it done faster. And I just finished my second year at Harvard Law, so yeah, that’s my alma mater.” Jimmy’s throat clogged up. He struggled to keep his voice normal and without an edge. “I thought it was tough to get in, but it’s been harder to stay.” He shrugged, though he didn’t feel nonchalant. “Last summer I worked as an intern at Hale, Gray, & Rose.”

  Toby chuckled. “Sounds like a seventies band.”

  Jimmy laughed too, perhaps a bit too loud to sound casual. “Yeah, well, it’s one of the top law firms in Boston.”

  “I guess that explains the car,” Toby remarked, caressing his leather seat. “You’re not there this summer, though?”

  Jimmy gripped the steering wheel tighter. His knuckles turned white. “No, I’m, uh, taking some time off. Been working too hard the past five years. Gotta avoid stress, you know. Can’t afford to get, like, panic attacks at twenty-three, right?”

  “Right.” Toby sounded concerned now.

  A twinge of dread twisted Jimmy’s insides. “So, uh, do you mind if we just drive on? I’ve got no specific destination in mind.”

  Toby shrugged and eased back. “No, it’s fine. I’m in no rush to get anywhere.”

  “You taking the summer off too? Free of the old rat race?”

  Toby turned away to stare out the window. Jimmy thought he wouldn’t answer. But then Toby sighed. “Guess I just wanted to see something other than steel-and-glass towers for a change. The countryside. Like trees and meadows and shit.”

  Jimmy understood that urge to return to simpler times and prettier places. “Been back to MG the past couple of years?”

  Toby faced him in an instant. “What, Miller’s Grove? No. Not a fucking chance. No place ever looked sweeter than it did—in a rearview mirror.”

  Jimmy laughed. “Wow, guess you don’t feel homesick, then, huh?”

  Toby grimaced and shook his head. “I admit I prefer Oregon’s nature way more than the East Coast’s, but… I’ve no desire to return home.” He whispered, “Especially not with my tail between my legs.”

  Jimmy had a hunch Toby hadn’t meant those final words for his ears, so he pretended he hadn’t heard a thing. “Still, going to college so far away from home… it gets to you. I mean, it got to me.”

  Toby frowned as he turned to him. “So that’s your final destination? Back home?”

  “No.” Jimmy swallowed. “I haven’t decided, to be honest. We’ll see how this trip goes.”

  Toby grunted. “Well, let me know well in advance before you get there ’cause… I don’t wanna go back. My dad made it pretty clear I wasn’t welcome home again.”

  Jimmy felt remorse for reminding Toby of the past that carried its weight to the present. “I forgot. I’m sorry. Your dad wanted you to go to the Army, didn’t he?”

  “Marines.”

  Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Same diff. What, he can’t still be mad about that? I mean, you wanted to be an engineer. Guns, tools, aren’t they practically the same damn thing? Worthwhile manly pursuits?”

  Toby started to giggle like mad. He folded in half and held his stomach. Jimmy feared he’d hit his head on the glove compartment. “Manly pursuits? Jesus Christ. No, dude. Dad was a Marine, so his son had to be a Marine. He probably wouldn’t have given a flying fuck what I did afterward as long as I joined up and finished my tour as a success story. But I just couldn’t. Combat and war, t
hey’re not my thing.”

  “I hear you. Amen, brother.”

  After their high school graduation and over the summer, when Toby hadn’t revealed his plans for the fall, Jimmy had believed that Toby’s dad forced Toby to sign up for the military and he’d been too afraid to tell Jimmy about it. At the time, the thought made sense. But now….

  Jimmy was focused on driving, but even he understood that a change in mood was called for. “Hey, Toby, I hope you weren’t offended by me commenting on your looks. ’Cause you look great.”

  Toby chuckled, sounding baffled. “Oh. Okay. Thanks. And no, it didn’t bother me.”

  Jimmy was relieved that the glum ambience had lifted and grinned. He felt like teasing a bit. “You know, I never put two and two together before. But you’re from Oregon, which is almost the same as Washington.”

  “What the hell are you on about?”

  “Your appearance. Soooo hipster.”

  Toby rolled his eyes. “The hell I am. And just what the fuck are you grinning at? You’re from the same goddamn town I am.”

  Jimmy laughed. “I remember your coffee addiction, dude, not to mention all those talks we had about serious stuff.”

  “Oh, so ’cause I’m interested in philosophical issues, life and all that shit, I’m a hipster?”

  “Well, yeah. Then there’s that beard.” Jimmy winked at his companion, who glared at him but said nothing, merely sulking in the passenger seat.

  The truth was Toby looked damn hot. Jimmy had ignored his best friend’s sex appeal back in the day. But Toby had grown up so fine that Jimmy had trouble not ogling him all the time.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Jimmy observed Toby. He’d been more robust in high school, when sports had been an outlet for him. Not quite the military-level exercise his dad wanted for him, but Toby had made an effort to stay fit. Now he came off as a lean, mean fighting machine—or maybe a loving one?

  Toby’s low-hung jeans clung to his strong legs and tight ass like a lover’s embrace, held up by a brown leather belt. The scent of leather mixed with Toby’s woodsy body odor, maybe from soap? The enticing bulge at the front of his jeans made Jimmy salivate; it’d been too long since the last time he’d gotten laid. Toby’s body-hugging, long-sleeved henley shirt brought out the deep blue in his eyes, the hues matching. The buttons by his collarbones were popped open and revealed a dusting of dark chest hairs. The taut shirt also showcased his perky nipples….