Jake spread the map out on the hood of his car. The sun glinted off the windshield, adding to the sweat already accumulating uncomfortably on his back. He traced the route they’d been traveling, trying to determine where he’d gone wrong — aside from agreeing with Mia to lock their phones in the glove box so they could have an ‘old-fashioned’ road trip. Somewhere between license plate bingo and attempting to tune the radio to a station that played songs they both knew, he’d ignored the signs that would get him off the country highway and onto the interstate. 

He rolled his shoulders and swallowed his irritation as the gas pump clicked off. They’d have to backtrack at least an hour if his calculations were right. Hopefully, the hotel pool would still be open by the time they arrived. He turned the AC on while he waited for Mia, who’d gone inside to pay and appeared to be deep in conversation with the clerk. Well, at least somebody was having a good time.

His t-shirt clung to him as he leaned back into the seat and closed his eyes, jolting awake when something cold touched his face.

“I bought you a Coke,” Mia said. “Scoot over, and I’ll drive.”

“About that.” Jake dragged a hand through his hair. “We missed our turn.”

She chuckled and unscrewed her drink. “Yeah, I know.”

Jake blinked.

“Don’t worry, the girl inside said we can jump on the interstate a couple miles up the road.”

Word: map | Action: unfolding