The Affair

Daniel groaned as he closed the trunk of the van. Two vehicles, nine people, three hours in a car. Not the best odds, but once they get to the beach house, it would all be worth it. Since he and Tessa were the only ones that knew where the beach house was, considering they went there on their 15 year anniversary a couple months ago, he and Tessa had to drive there.

He stayed up for an extra hour past the time he wanted to go to bed to figure out the arrangements for the car ride and stay at the beach house. Tessa and he would be the driver, while Natalee would ride with Daniel, Rae (who had invited herself) would ride with Tessa. Simple. He hoped, knowing Rae had a terrible lovelorn crush on him for years, so he figured that she'd try something and wanted to stay away from her. He did think she was cute, but he didn't want to step out on his wife.

Crissy, Kika, and Danny would be riding in the van while Xander and Seth would ride in the car with Tessa. He looked at his watch. Nine, they had to leave in about ten minutes or they'd be late. "Porter's all aboard!"

His call brought out the entire gang, plus Natalee's new boyfriend, Danny's girlfriend, and Xander's girlfriend. Crap. Trying to not look overwhelmed, he snapped his fingers. "Okay, Tessa driving the car, I'm driving the van, Crissy, Kika, Danny and Eva, Van. Rob, Xander, Willa, Seth, car."

Rae jumped in the van, excited, smiling at Daniel. He groaned inwardly as Natalee went to the car. He forgot to tell his sister to ride with him. He couldn't tell Rae not to ride with him, everyone would look at him strangely.

As they started their three hour drive, the kids in back started zoning out on their phones, go figure. Rae took that opportunity to place her hand on his thigh. He gripped the wheel tighter, trying not to weave on the road.