This time Emmett felt it when the vehicle came to a stop. As he blinked off sleep he was surprised to find that it was dark now. "What time is it?"

“Only around 8 or so. I don’t wanna fall asleep at the wheel though, so we’re at a motel… if that’s alright.”

He hesitated, what does that mean? To be fair, Emmett hadn’t been on his best behavior today… or apparently last night. Was he scared of Emmett being angry or of him being horny? “I’m not driving, so it’s fine by me.”

A silence stretched between them in the darkness. Was Tab the one who was angry now? Doubtful. If he hadn’t been angry before then there was no reason to be so now.

Emmett climbed out of the car first. There was no point in awkwardness, especially if he could be having a smoke right now. He tapped a cigarette out...

Or not.

The carton was empty.

"Shit." And he'd just been at a gas station. He cast a quick glance down the road. Nothing but darkness. What off the map place had the kid driven them to?

"What's wrong?"

Emmett spun around. With the light of the building behind him, Emmett couldn't read Tab's face. "There's nowhere to get smokes around here."

"Oh." It was like dropping a coin over the side of a bridge. Tab didn't care. Tab stuck his hands in the pockets of his hoodie, leaning to the side. "Maybe the lobby will be selling some."

"Doubtful. More likely they'll just have a "no smoking" sign."

Tab shrugged again and turned to make his way to the lobby. Emmett crumbled the empty box in his hand and dropped it on the ground.

The 'lobby' was one of those dingy relics from the 80's, all yellows and browns and flickering lights like you saw in a horror movie or like those Emmett saw a couple nights a month when he was feeling particularly lonely and desperate. He didn't feel drunk enough to be in a place like this.

The owner didn't help; a sweaty looking mouth breather who Emmett didn't doubt had his dick out behind the counter. He glanced between Emmett and Tab. Trying to decide if we're fap material?

"How long do you want the room?"

"Just until morning." Tab answered, reaching into his pocket for his wallet.

"I'll take care of it." Emmett said, giving the owner his 'photo face'. "How much will it be?"

"$40. Just sign in here." The owner slid a clipboard over as Emmett passed him the cash. Emmett scrawled a quick and illegible signature. "You want smoking or non?"

Tab and Emmett answered at once.

"Non-smoking."
"Smoking."

They glanced at one another, a brief battle of wills before Tab looked away. Emmett answered. "I'm paying so I'll take smoking, two beds."

The man was possibly disappointed by this development but he slid a key across the counter anyway. "You'll find it around the corner."

"Thanks."

Stepping out into the chill night air made Emmett realize just how moist and stuffy it had felt in that room. Gross.

"You don't even have any cigarettes left." Tab said quietly, looking out into the darkness of the night. Why so melancholy, boy?

"Smelling it will make me feel more at home."

"I'll get the next one." Tab offered. "We still have a ways left to go anyway, right?"

"Oh? Like 'driver picks the music'? Are you going to forbid me from smoking at the next one?"

Tab turned a bright smile on Emmett. "Exactly so. I won't lose next time."

Emmett looked away. Now it feels like I just lost. A kid shouldn't have such a powerful smile. "Go ahead and try." He answered simply, starting to walk towards their room. His face felt warm and if he was blushing he didn’t want it to be seen.

"I'll be in a little later. I gotta put in a couple hours of work." Tab said behind him.

"Work?"

"Yeah. Despite this trip I do still have orders to complete."

Emmett turned enough to direct a look of confusion at Tab.

"Some screenprinting? The trailer I've got is sorta a makeshift, traveling studio."

Emmett gave a little shrug. "And here I thought you might ream me again. Oh well." He squared his shoulders against the cold and continued on to their room without looking back. Hopefully that was suggestion enough for Tab to join him later.