Unexplainable [Original Version]

[chapter twenty-three: "after all this time"]

"Ah, they're not too bad!" I laugh as I head off towards my destined path. "Don't worry about it!"

"You'd better know what you're doing!" Joli has to yell so that I can hear her. "Otherwise, I'll kick your ass!"

"Bring it on!"

The moment we start to go up the first rugged hill, I feel Joli tense up. I want to tell her to relax, but I know she will on her own. She's just got to get used to type of thing.

Sure enough, as soon as we start going on a fairly straight path, Joli's having the time of her life. It's hard for me to really hear her, but she occasionally giggles rather loudly. I knew she'd love it. As we approach a big stretch of mud, I slow things down and eventually stop; I keep the motor running, though.

"You think we can get through that?" I ask as I look at Joli over my shoulder. Her hair is blown back from the ride and it looks absolutely wild.

"I doubt it, but I'm sure you'll try anyway." Joli smirks.

"You really want to give it a shot?" I was going to do it anyway, but I'm glad she's as into this as I am.

"Why the fuck not?" Joli pulls back for a moment and wipes some sweat off of her forehead. "Besides, if we get stuck, you'll be the one that has to push us out, not me."

"Ah, you wouldn't help me?" I tease.

"Do you really think I'd be much help in that situation?" She sends me this little devious smile and I just shake my head.

I'm fuckin' whipped.

"Probably not." I laugh as I turn back around. "Let's fuckin' go!"

I hear Joli gasp as I speed us off towards the mud. We easily speed through most of it, but we nearly get stuck near the end of it. I have to stop myself from busting into a full-toothed grin as Joli buries her face in the back of my shirt and starts squealing. Once we break the through mud, I hear her curse.

"Goddammit, Kev! Some of that shit got in my mouth!"

"I've never really heard you complain about getting things in your mouth before, babe! Sorry about that!" I laugh as Joli silently pinches my side. "Ow! Rude!"

There's just something special about riding out in the country alongside the one you love. I can't think of anything that I can compare it to, if I were to be honest. Being out here with Jolene is the most natural thing in the world.

I take us along the trail and up a bunch of different roads, and after a good while of driving, we finally reach the place I'd wanted to bring her all along. We're up high, in a wooded area that breaks off into a long downwards slope. You can see for literal miles up here. I pull us over to one of the leveled areas and turn the four-wheeler off.

"I've always thought this was one of the most beautiful places around here." I tell Joli as I motion for her to leap off first. I follow her, once her feet touch the ground. "I hope you've enjoyed the ride up here as much as I have."

"It's been really nice. This place really is just... Wow." Joli trails off as she walks closer to the edge, folding her arms across her chest on the way. "I love it."

"So, you really never explored the scenery in Virginia?" I walk over beside of Joli and place a hand on her shoulder. She takes her sunglasses off and places them on the top of her head, and I do the same.

I really do adore the view out here, but goddamn, she's the best part of it. Her dark hair is an absolute mess at this point, and she's got a bit of mud on her, but Joli is gorgeous. She's smiling so peacefully, too.