Amanda
My ride is about to pick me up—
Amanda
Let’s hope I don’t spend the next three hours with a nightmare driver 👹
Peyton
Lol, I can’t believe you’re letting a rando drive you all the way home.
Amanda
Well, he’s not a complete rando! He does go to our school.
Amanda
Lots of people hitch rides from other students on campus.
Peyton
Are you sure you can’t stay here for the weekend?
Amanda
You know I would if I could.
Amanda
But my stepdad is throwing a big surprise party for my mom’s fortieth birthday…
Amanda
So I can’t miss it.
Amanda
Just remember you can call me ANY TIME to vent about your broken heart.
Peyton
Careful — I might take you up on that offer, Mandy.
Peyton
I know Vincent and I met only a couple weeks ago, but what we had was intense…
Peyton
And I fell for him way too fast and hard.
Peyton
I can’t believe how much I’m hurting.
Amanda
Just remember that you deserve someone better than a guy who cheats on you, okay?
Amanda hears the roar of an engine and looks up to find a car coming her way.
Yikes — talk about a bucket of bolts!
It’s got white racing stripes and an old blue paint job…
But the engine purrs after the driver stops the vehicle.
Amanda
My carriage awaits.
The driver rolls down his window…
Revealing a scruffy guy with a tilted grin and dark eyes.
Whoa — did this order come with a side of cute?
Amanda nods in response, her pulse jittering as she smooths down her pristine skirt.
He gets out of the car, grabs her bag, and puts it into the empty backseat.
He holds out his hand for a shake.
She nods, remembering his name.
Amanda
That’s right! I’m Amanda.
As she slips her hand into his, electricity zaps her.
He holds her hand for another heartbeat…
But then she backs away and clears her throat.
Amanda
Thanks for driving me home.
Jake
No problem. You’re on my way.
She walks toward the passenger’s side, but Jake beats her there and holds the door open.
As she gets in, he unleashes a smile and…WOWZA.
Somehow she remains cool.
After he sits in the driver’s seat, he peels out of the parking lot.
Amanda white-knuckles the seat.
Jake
So you’re headed home for a quick weekend?
Jake eases off the gas with an apologetic shrug.
Amanda
It’s my mom’s birthday tomorrow and my car puttered out.
Amanda
My stepdad can drive me back, but he’s too busy setting up for the party now.
Jake nods, nonchalantly draping his hand over the steering wheel.
Amanda
Is this a vintage car?
Jake
Yup. It might look like something a junkyard spit up, but it’s got power where it counts.
Jake
And it gets me home whenever I need to be there.
Amanda
So why are YOU going home?
Jake
I’m on an important errand.
Jake
I’ve got a friend who’s suffering from a nasty breakup…
Jake
And there’s something at home I want to get for him—
Jake
Something to cheer him up.
This guy cares for his heartbroken friend just as much as Amanda cares for Peyton.
Amanda
What are you getting him?
Jake
A baseball signed by Alex Rodriguez.
Jake
My buddy’s a big Yankees fan, so this will put a smile back on his face.
Jake
It’ll be worth losing that ball.
Amanda
Wow. Isn’t it valuable?
Jake
Not as valuable as my friend’s happiness.
Jake
I’d do anything for him.
Amanda
I know what you mean. I’d do anything for MY bestie too.
Jake sends her another grin.
Amanda holds back a tingly sigh.
Amanda
There must be a breakup epidemic hitting campus or something…
Amanda
My best friend is going through a really rough one too.
Amanda
Her ex cheated on her at a party last week.
Amanda
Naturally, he wouldn’t admit any fault when he got caught.
Amanda
But people saw him leaving with an old girlfriend who was drunk and ALL over him.
Jake
What’s your friend’s name?
Amanda gets a bad feeling.
Jake
It just so happens that I’ve met Peyton…
Jake
Because her ex is MY best friend.
Amanda
You’re THAT Jake — Vincent’s buddy?
Jake
Yup, and you’re obviously THAT Mandy — Peyton’s enabler.
Amanda
Excuse me. Enabler?!
Amanda faces the windshield, her dander up for her bestie.
Out of all the Jakes on campus, THIS had to be the one to give her a ride…
And now she’s stuck in a speeding tin can with him.
Jake
Maybe, as Peyton’s confidant…
Jake
You can enlighten me as to why she believes these witnesses over her own boyfriend?
Amanda
You tell me. Why WOULDN’T Vincent lie when he got caught double-dipping with his ex?
A muscle ticks in Jake’s cheek.
Jake
I was there, too, you know. He wasn’t cheating.
Jake
His ex was so drunk that she needed a cab.
Jake
So he called one for her and made sure she got home okay.
Jake
He was just being a good guy.
Amanda
He would NEVER be tempted by his ex?
Jake
But I think there’s an even bigger issue between our friends.
Jake
Even though I only met Peyton one time, she’s obviously not very trusting.
Is it too late to ask Jake to turn around and get her back to campus?
Amanda would seriously consider it if it wasn’t her mom’s big birthday.
Jake
Well, it’s clear that our friends are incapable of having a rational conversation with each other.
Jake
But does that mean WE have to be the same way?
If he knew about Amanda’s family life, he probably wouldn’t say that.
Jake
Vincent’s a good guy — the best guy I know.
Jake
And it sounds like he and Peyton should try to work their issues out.
Jake
I just want him to be happy again.
Jake
He’s really crazy about her.
Jake’s true-blue belief in his friend breaks Amanda down a little more.
Amanda
Peyton’s the best person *I* know.
Amanda
She fell really fast for Vincent, even though she’s been hurt badly in the past.
Amanda
That’s why she pulled back into this shell—
Amanda
And that’s why it’s my responsibility as her best friend to protect her heart.
Jake
So why aren’t we protecting them by UN-breaking their hearts?
The tires hum over the asphalt.
Amanda has to admit that she’s been so protective because…
Well, Peyton isn’t the only one who lacks trust.
And Jake seems so genuine that Amanda can’t help thinking she should take a chance here…
At least for Peyton’s sake.
Amanda
I left Peyton on campus to eat a tub of ice cream and watch rom coms.
Jake
Vincent’s been eating chips and watching baseball games nonstop.
Amanda
You know, in chick flicks, things turn out okay in the end—
Amanda
But that’s because it’s usually the best friends’ jobs to help out with a happy ending for the main couple.
Jake
Then maybe we should do what best friends do…
As the miles go by, they talk about why Vincent and Peyton are actually good for each other…
But they also acknowledge the challenges they might have.
Most of all, Jake and Amanda talk about how their friends can work toward a happy ending.
Fifty miles later, Amanda calls Peyton.
When they stop for lunch, Jake calls Vincent.
Then they resume their ride.
Jake
Hell, I almost feel like we’re the opposite of divorce attorneys—
Jake
We mend relationships instead of helping to pull them apart.
Something stings in Amanda’s chest.
She looks down at her lap.
Jake
Did I say something wrong?
Amanda
No. It’s just that my parents divorced a few years ago.
Amanda
That’s not even the worst part…
Amanda
My dad actually ran off with his lawyer.
Amanda
He hasn’t been around since then.
Jake
I’m sorry to hear that, Mandy.
She smiles slightly at the nickname.
It sounds good coming from him…
Somehow comfortable and right.
Amanda
Don’t worry. Mom found a new man who’s just as wonderful as she is.
Jake
So is that why you were fighting so hard for Peyton during this breakup?
Jake
Because you were on Team Mom during and after the divorce?
Amanda
Wow. You’re the only person who’s ever caught on to that.
Amanda
Next you’ll tell me that I avoid pain by concentrating on what’s happening with my friends.
Amanda
Instead of letting things happen to me.
She gives him a long look, taking in his carefree hair, his strong profile, his muscled arms.
Her chest warms, and when he catches her watching him, heat spreads down to her tummy.
Jake
Who says relationships have to be painful?
They pass the signpost for her town and Amanda’s heart sinks.
Oddly enough, she wishes this trip were just beginning.
Her phone dings with a text, and she focuses on the screen.
Amanda
She’s gonna meet up with Vincent to talk.
Jake smiles as they stop at a light.
As the engine idles, Amanda smooths down her skirt.
She feels Jake watching her, and when she glances at him, her pulse jumps.
Jake
Well…we’ve spent the day being the supporting players in Vincent and Peyton’s chick flick.
Jake
In those movies, do the best friends ever get their OWN story?
Should she take the leap?
She takes another glance at Jake
Amanda
Yes, sometimes they do.
Amanda
My…favorite movies are the ones where the best friends go for it in the end.
He slips his hand over hers, and she sucks in a breath.
His gaze is intense as he rubs his thumb over her skin.
Jake
Then what would you say to starting that story with me?
As the light turns green, Amanda’s pulse goes wild.
She smiles and laces her fingers with his.
Amanda
I’d say we should go for another ride.
