Chapter 9 Spiraling Out of Control
The breakfast part of the bed and breakfast was great. Andrea stuffed herself again, much to Case’s amusement. He didn’t say anything to her about sleeping on his chest, and she was glad for it. Maybe he didn’t know.... The way he was looking at her, though, she thought perhaps he was just trying to be polite.
They found out the road had reopened, so once they were finished eating, they headed out again. As Case took her bags and put them in the back, she caught another whiff of him. He’d showered and smelled like fresh rain water, but she could still smell the scent of his woodsy cologne and that ever present car smell. Andrea bit her bottom lip and climbed inside the SUV, ready to be home but wondering where she could get a bottle of his scent to have on hand because she was starting to like it.
The snow wasn’t coming down as hard now, but there was plenty on the roads. They’d waited a while before they headed out so that the road could be cleared. Her mom had called earlier and said Grandpa was still doing well, so Andrea wasn’t in as much of a hurry as she had been the night before. But she was ready to be away from Case, his dazzling green eyes, and his manly smell.
They had to drive slowly. Case’s phone said it would take at least three hours to get home. Lots of cars were in the ditch still, abandoned. Andrea hoped that the people who’d been driving them were all safe. It was a dangerous situation, far from a lot of towns or hospitals.
Talking to Case became easier the longer they rode together. Today, he didn’t have to concentrate so much because the snow wasn’t as thick. Other cars were present on the roads, too, unlike last night when it seemed like they were the only ones still driving and not in the ditch. He told her all about how he’d started racing when he was only six, and she talked about how much she loved acting. Case admitted he’d seen some of her movies, which made her cheeks turn red, especially when he talked about how good her acting was in them.
Andrea thought about asking him if he knew that Sarah Lockton was her enemy, that the two of them had been having difficulties for a while. She figured he had to know that, though. Case had dated Sarah after the rivalry had begun. They had only broken up a few months ago. He’d never said anything negative about Andrea, that she knew of. Deciding not to ask that question, Andrea asked him instead what sort of music he liked to listen to and was happy he didn’t just like country music. He also liked rock and alternative music.
“My sister is an aspiring singer,” Andrea explained. “Leslie is a junior in college and will graduate with her degree in music next year, but she really wants to be a pop star.”
“That’s great for her!” Case exclaimed. “Do you know people from the music industry you can introduce her to?”
“Yes, but it is important to my mom that she finish college first. I agree. I wish I had gone to college. I might go back someday and get a degree.”
“What would you study?”
“I think I might study literature.” Andrea hoped he didn’t think that was odd or weird. “I have always enjoyed reading.”
“How interesting. What is your favorite book?” Case didn’t think it was odd or weird at all.
“My favorite is Wuthering Heights, but I like all kinds of books.”
“I like that one, too.” Case smiled at her and then looked back at the road. Suddenly, his expression changed, and he hit the brakes hard.
Andrea turned to look out the windshield and saw another car turned sideways in front of them across the road. The road was still slick, and the SUV was sliding out of control, getting closer and closer to the car in front of them.
Case turned the wheel into the skid while Andrea braced herself against the dashboard. Just when the other car went flying across the road in front of them, Case was able to get the SUV to come to a stop. The other car was still sliding and hit a guard rail hard before flipping up on its side.
Andrea clutched her chest in terror! She could hardly breath she was so scared.
“Are you okay?” Case asked, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Nodding her head, Andrea fought against tears, glad to be safe but frightened for the people in the other car. Case pulled the SUV over to the far side of the road and unbuckled his seatbelt. “I’m going to help them.”
Andrea nodded, but she was still too scared to get out. She grabbed her phone and dialed the emergency number, praying that the people in the other vehicle were okay, but she could hear crying and screaming. She begged the operator, “Please! Get here quickly! They’re hurt!” The operator assured her that help was on the way. Andrea pocketed her phone and got out on shaky legs, terrified of what she would see in the other car.