Page 80 of 72 Hours of You

Forty-Five

WE GET OFF THE SURFACE STREETS AND drive long enough to hear three more songs as we make our way down some bumpy dirt road, the Jetta fighting for its life, and then Peter announces that we’re here.

Which is nowhere.

“You know,” I say, looking around the dusty patch of dirt surrounded by woods, “men can ask for directions now. There’s been a revolution.”

“We’re not lost.” Peter smiles and puts the car in park.

“Oh, okay, so we’re staying. Great. Love this for me.”

“Come on,” Peter says, unbuckling his seatbelt. “It’ll be worth it. I promise.”

I flip down the visor and slide the mirror open.

He squints at me. “What’re you doing?”

“Checking to see if I have a clock over my head. I need to know if you’re attempting to lure me to my death.”

Peter laughs and gets out of the car. “You haven’t checked my trunk, have you?”

I raise an eyebrow.

He grabs his backpack and slings it over his shoulder. “We’re just going on a hike. That’s all. We’re going to appreciate nature. Like those meditation apps are always telling us to do.”

“Fine,” I say, getting out and inhaling the scent of damp leaves and wet dirt. “I guess some earthy shit wouldn’t be the absolute worst way to spend an afternoon.” Plus, it’s better than filling our lungs with carcinogens and calling that living.

“That’s the spirit!” Peter heads toward what he claims is the beginning of a trail. “Also, if you make it to the end, there’s a surprise.”

“Is it Skittles?”

“Okay, let’s not ever discuss candy again.”

“Damn. I was really hoping you’d tell me what Red Hots are, because those guys have got to be—”

“Okay, okay.” Peter’s eyes crinkle with the threat of a smile. “You should probably text Jules. The service isn’t great—”

“—in the murdery woods? Shocker.” I slide my phone out and swipe up.

ME:Can you get a ride home from noah

JULES:Exsqueeze me

ME:I ditched with peter

JULES:AGAIN????????

JULES:I am shaken and stirred

ME:We’re about to go into some random ass woods upstate

ME:There is no service

ME:Fyi

JULES:Omg

Dots appear.