Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 113 & 114 We Can't Leave Us Behind/ I Can See Clearly Now

"No," I interrupt. "It's fine. I don't know what the hell is going through that fucker's head right now."

Evan laughs at my trucker mouth but then pulls over into the nearest gas station and gets out of the SUV.

"C'mon." He opens my door, but I'm confused as to what's happening. "C'mon..." Evan repeats.

Once I am out, he takes my hand and walks me around the SUV.

"Baby steps. This will get your mind off whatever is going on..."

I realize what the bodyguard is trying to do. He's trying to get me over my fear of driving. I quickly turn and try to walk away but he grabs my arm.

"Evan, I can't."

"You can.  You know the only time I can really clear my head when shit is going down is going for a long drive? Sometimes, I blast music. Sometimes I keep it silent. All I want you to do is try, ok?"

I look at the L.L. Bean model/ bodyguard and shake my head.

"All I am asking is for you to drive around this big parking lot. I don't even want you to go on the main road. Just drive around here for a little bit, ok?" His green eyes sparkle and I let out a sigh, knowing I can't say no to something so minor as driving around the empty plaza.

I climb up into the SUV and the first thing I do is put my seatbelt on. Then I adjust my mirrors and take a deep breath before I switch the gears from park to drive. I'm slow and steady as I drive forward. The plaza is dead with no cars coming in or out. To my right is a Stop & Shop, a Sephora and some kind of uniform store for medical scrubs. Then a Panera Bread at the end. To my left is the gas station and then a liquor store. The lot isn't busy at all so I speed up a little and drive the perimeter, trying not to think of the collision. But my hands are shaking and beads of sweat form on my forehead and the back of my neck.

"You're doing great, Miss Banks. Do you want music on or keep it quiet? I will do whatever you want so you can keep those trembling hands of yours white knuckling the steering wheel." He smirks.

"Music." I say with a shaky voice. Of course, the radio is playing one of Nate's songs and I can't help but laugh and loosen up a little.

"Jesus Christ, I can't get rid of him." I joke as I listen to Heartbreak Hotel and take a turn.

"Unfortunately, he is probably on every station." Evan lightens up the mood more with his own jokes.

"No kidding." I roll my eyes but tighten my grip when a few cars turn into the lot.

"Keep going. They are turning into the supermarket, that's all. Want to go on the main road?"

I nod. I actually fucking nod and turn left to get onto the busy road.

"Oh my God. I'm doing it!" I exclaim after about a half mile down Thurber Ave.

"You're doing awesome!" Evan nods his head and I notice it out of the corner of my eye that he is smiling proudly. "Ok, go through the intersection and pull into the next plaza up ahead."

I gulp hard when I see the intersection though and my hands clam up. I hear the crunch of James's Range Rover.

"Trisha, you're fine. The light is green. You can keep going."

 I feel the impact.

"Trish..."

I step on the gas and slowly move across the intersection. No one is behind me to beep at me or get irritated, so I take my time. I look at all the roads connecting and tears stream down my face thinking about the collision. But I continue driving.