My Hometown Love

Chapter 49 – Road Trip!

Kevin’s P.O.V

I dusted off my hands as I stepped down from the RV. I turned around to admire the majestic shiny beauty and the way it shined in the sunlight.

“All done, already? That was fast!”, I heard Jimmy say behind me.

“Yeah. I’m used to it. It’s all about using bins to organize everything.”, I replied.

“Interesting.”, Jimmy replied as he admired the RV.

“So, how are you? Did you talk to Priya yet?”, I asked him as I clapped his shoulder.

“Nope. I should bury myself after that embarrassing incident. She wouldn’t want to talk to me anyway.”, Jimmy replied as he looked down at his feet.

“Oh come on. It’s been 2 days! Dude, you should talk to her. Plus, I don’t think what happened was embarrassing at all. I’m a doctor, I’ve seen worst.”, I said comfortingly.

“Kevin, I fainted. In front of her. After she kissed me. I don’t know how I’m going to face her today. You know what, just drop it.”, Jimmy said dejectedly.

“Jimmy, listen to me. I’ve done the secret pinning for years and all I got was missed out memories and years together. So, tell me. Do you like Priya?”, I asked him as I turned him to face me.

“Yeah. I do. She’s perfect. I know, the love at first sight concept is cheesy and a myth but I felt something. The minute I laid my eyes on her, I felt butterflies in my stomach and suddenly, I didn’t want to say anything that made me look stupid anymore.”, Jimmy confided in me.

“Welcome to my life, my friend. My advice, tell her, while you still can.”, I said before heading back into the house to call the others.

I head back into the house to check on the rest. I walk into the house to Lexie, Amy, and Lydia descending from the stairs.

“Ladies! Ready to get on the road?”, I asked perkily.

“Yup! We’re all set!”, Lexie replied as she walked up and kissed me on the cheek before heading outside.

I trailed behind them, closing the door behind me. I watched them climb into the RV one by one, before shutting the door and double-checking everything. Satisfied, I climb into the driver seat and join my co-driver, Lexie who is storing all her stuff in the compartments around her.

“Co-pilot, are you ready?”, I ask her in a professional voice.

“Aye-aye captain. All clear for takeoff.”, she replies, humoring my antics.

I start the engine and carefully pull out of the driveway.

“Wow, this thing is huge. I feel like a cute midget driving a giant car.”, I say as I look into the side mirror.

“You had to include the word cute, didn’t you?”, Lexie asks sarcastically.

I shrug my shoulders innocently as I turn off into another housing estate. I slowly bring the RV to a stop in front of a double-story house with red rose bushes surrounding it.

“Ladies and gentleman, our first stop. Priya’s house.”, I announced with an emphasis on Priya’s name.

I look at my rearview to Jimmy who is nervously shifting in his seat. I clear my throat, desperately trying to get his attention, reminding him of my advice earlier. I signal him to open the door for Priya.

“Jimmy, will you open the door for Priya, please? I’m all strapped in here.”, I ask loudly since he didn’t respond to my eye signals.

Jimmy hesitantly opens the door and lowers the stairs for Priya to climb into the RV. I watch as he timidly offers his hand to her so that she can climb on easier. Fortunately, she took it willingly, and soon, we were all strapped in, headed for our next destination.

************

Lexie’s P.O.V.

I quietly watched Kevin’s eyebrows lower with focus as he tensed arms grip the steering wheel tightly. He was driving the RV very well despite it being his first time driving one this huge.

At first, I suggested we go in two cars but he said that this way we would feel cozier plus we could stop anywhere and relax. And now, here we are, zooming to our next destination.

Kevin slowed down as we entered a busier town road. He turned into a parking lot and turned off the engine. We all piled out of the RV as we shielded our eyes from the blazing sun.

“One first activity of the day is the Segway Guided Tours.”, Kevin started saying, much like a tour guide.

“What does that mean?”, Amy asked as she put on her sunglasses.

“It’s a 2-hour tour on a Segway Personal Transporters or a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter.”, I chipped in.

“Yeah. So, the tour takes you through Nunan Square with elegant Victorian homes, past the historic courthouse and jail, up the hill to Britt Gardens, and also the notable Cemetery, where you can catch a remarkable view of the Rogue Valley.”, Kevin said with confidence.

“That sounds amazing but we don’t really know how to drive it?”, Lydia asks timidly.

“Oh don’t worry. We get to practice first before we go on the tour.”, I say reassuringly.

*********

Fast forward to 2 hours later, a tired group walks slowly back to the RV.

“Man, I didn’t know just standing on something wheeling you around could be so tiring.”, Jimmy says breaking the silence.

“Yeah. But it was so worth it. You guys have an amazing town!”, Amy says.

“Especially the view of Rogue Valley. It was simply breathtaking!”, Lydia adds excitedly.

“It’s good that you like that Lydia, because that’s our next stop.”, Kevin says as he opens the doors of the RV.

“Are you guys tired? Any more energy left”, I ask with concern as I look at my zombie-friends.

“Definitely. We just probably need to close our eyes for a little bit to recharge.”, Jimmy replies.

“Tired already? I thought New Yorkers don’t sleep? “, Priya asks curiously.

“Well, you country folk are built for these adventure activities, while we city folk sit in front of a computer all day long.”, Jimmy blurts out, not realizing it was Priya who asked the question.

He quickly put his hand over his mouth as his eyes bulged out in horror. He responded by looking down immediately and taking the corner seat as he looked out the window. I just shook my head in disbelief of this timid side of Jimmy before strapping on my seatbelt.

“Well, it’ll take 20 minutes to reach the next stop, so take a nap and recharge as needed.”, Kevin said as he drove back onto the main road.

*************

Kevin’s P.O.V.

I place the last rod in RV’s extended tent, securing the edges with rocks before stepping back to admire my work.

“Uh, Kevin? Little help?”, I hear Amy ask behind me.

I turn around to see half of her tent collapsed over her as she attempts to juggle the rods.

“It’s tricky at first but you’ll get the hang of it. Here, do this.”, I say as I adjust the rods and secure them to the ground.

It’s been hours since we went for the Jet Boat Adventure. We were all tired, so we drove straight up to the camping site. We decided to set up tents since there were 6 of us and the RV had a place for only 3. So, we boys volunteered to sleep together in one tent while the girls had the RV to themselves. For privacy, I set up the extended tent that came with the RV, covering up the entrance door and our tent onwards. Hence, we had our own little house.

“We’re back!”, I heard Lexie scream.

I turn around to see her and Jimmy carrying a big bundle of firewood in each of their arms.

“Look at you all woodsy.”, I say as I walk up to Lexie.

“I had a good teacher.”, she replied slyly before dropping the wood down on the ground.

“Okay folks! I know we all have had a long day, so how about we watch the sunset, have some dinner, roast some s’mores and call it a night. Tomorrow, we will begin a whole new adventure.”, I announced.

“Hear, hear.”, they replied as we all slowly winded down.

**************

I unloaded the luggage bags from my car and onto the airport trolley. I can’t believe a week has flown by so fast. I closed the trunk and rolled the trolley as I watch Lexie walk sadly with her friends.

“It feels like just yesterday we picked you guys up and now here we are again.”, Lexie said sadly.

“Aww, Lex. We know. We don’t feel like leaving too, but duty calls.”, Amy replied as she put her arm around Lexie.

“I feel like you guys didn’t get to do enough or enjoy everything.”, Lexie complained.

“Are you kidding me? We did tours, visited haunted houses, enjoyed art galleries, watched how wine was made, went on a boat rafting adventure, hiked gorgeous hills, breathed in the fresh country air, met your lovely family, threw a birthday party for your awesome boyfriend and most of all, got to spend time with you.”, Lydia explained as she counted each activity on her fingers.

“Aww, Lydia. You really had fun, didn’t you?”, Lexie replied.

“We all did. You opened up your town and home to us. We loved every single moment of it. Plus, this is the place I met my angel.”, Jimmy replied as he looked over to Priya, whose arm is linked around his.

We all laughed as we made our way to the departure gate. Each of them carried their bags as I disposed of the trolley. I walked back to them to see Jimmy and Priya hugging as they whispered sweet nothings to each other.

We hugged them all as we reluctantly let them go. Jimmy walked past the security gate first, followed by Lydia. Amy turned around to follow them but suddenly stopped in her tracks. She quickly turned towards us and ran to hug Lexie again. As she pulled apart, she held Lexie’s shoulders as she gazed into her eyes, and asked a question that sent shivers down my spine.

“Lex, are you ever going to come back to New York?”