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Chapter Seventeen

  Sam sat in the passenger seat of the BMW as they raced down the interstate. He couldn't believe it. It all felt like a dream. Here he was, in the passenger seat of a new BMW, racing down the highway, leaning back, with a hot girl by his side. And it was her car, and she was driving - stick. She was hot to begin with, but this made her really hot. He felt like he was in some kind of James Bond movie. Things like this just didn't happen to him. Girls never even talked to him, and the few times he'd tried to pick them up, it hadn't gone so well.

  And things just kept getting better. Not only did she have an awesome house, and a hot pair of wheels, but she, like him, just wanted to take off and go. They both had their windows down, and it was turning out to be a warm, March day. Coldplay came on the radio, and Sam reached over and turned it up. He wondered if she'd turn it back down, or change the station. Instead, she reached over and turned it louder. He couldn't believe it.

  Sam looked out the window, watching the trees raced by, and wondered what it would be like to meet his Dad. He couldn't believe it was really happening. After all those years of looking for him, he would be seeing him in just a few hours. He could hardly believe that all these years, his Dad had been so close by. Connecticut. Just a drive away.

  Sam wondered what he looked like. He was probably a cool dude, tall, unshaven, with longish hair and a motorcycle. Maybe he had tattoos. Maybe even some piercings. He wondered where he lived, what kind of a house it was, what kind of property. He probably lived in an awesome house, like some kind of huge mansion, maybe something right on the water. Maybe he was a retired rock star.

  He pictured them driving down a long driveway, lined with trees, and pulling up in front of the door. He could see his Dad opening the door, hurrying out, lighting up when he saw Sam. He saw his Dad embracing him, giving him a huge hug. And apologizing.

  I'm so sorry, son. I tried to track you down for all these years. I just could never find you. It's going to be different now. You're going to live here.

  Sam smiled at the thought of it. He could barely contain his excitement. He wondered if today would be a new beginning. Yes, the more he thought about it, maybe it would. Maybe he just wouldn't bother going back to Oakville. Maybe he'd just stay, move right in. Finally, he'd have some stability. Someone who actually cared about him, day in and day out. It was going to be awesome. This would be the first day of his new life.

  He looked over and watched Samantha as she drove, her window down, her long, red hair whipped in the wind. She was so hot, so cool. He wondered why she cared about him, about his Dad, about taking him here. He guessed she was just the adventurous type, just like him. Always down for something new.

  He wondered if it would be awkward to meet his Dad with her by side. But as he thought about it, he realized it could actually be really cool. It would make him look a lot cooler than he was. Here he was, showing up with a hot chick. His Dad would be impressed. Maybe nod at him in respect.

  He wondered where Samantha would go after all this, after he moved in with his Dad. Would she stick around? Would she take off? Of course she would. She'd just bought that house in Oakville. She'd have to go back. Where would that leave the two of them?

  Sam bit his lip, suddenly nervous, wondering how it would all play out, what he would do. If his Dad wanted him to move in, he would. But then again, he really wouldn't want to leave Samantha.

  He'd deal with it when the time came. It was all just too much to think about right now. He just really wanted to enjoy the ride, enjoy the moment.

  He felt the car growl, and watched Samantha shift to sixth gear, and saw the speedometer hit 110. He was thrilled. He wondered if she'd let him drive, too. He still didn't have his license, but he had a feeling she wouldn't care.

  He finally summoned the courage to ask.

  "Think I can drive?"

  Samantha looked over, and broke into a smile. Her teeth were perfect, gleaming.

  "Think you can handle it?"