My stomach twists.
Oh my God, Miles.
I am supposed to tell his husband. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to pull the address back from wherever my brain buried it.
River something. River Drive. River Avenue. River Road.
I press my fingers to my temple, angry with myself for not remembering something that matters that much. He trusted me with that. The only friend I had in that sadistic place, and I can’t even keep the one promise I made to him.
My throat tightens, but I force the tears back. I pull my phone out and scroll through addresses in Oregon, hoping something will jog it. That is when I see another Oregon address sitting there.
Samantha’s.
For a second I just stare at it.
If we are going to live like ghosts from now on, maybe it is time. She has probably seen the news. She is probably worried about him. I glance over at Seth behind the wheel and wonder if he will finally be ready to meet her.
“There’s something I want to do before we get back.”
“What?”
“We’re probably not coming back here,” I say. “Once we leave.”
“Yeah.”
Trees blur past the window. “I don’t like the idea of people just wondering what happened to you. Thinking you vanished.”
His jaw tightens. “We’re wanted people, Brooke. Everyone should wonder.”
“I know,” I look over at him. “But this is different.”
He exhales slowly. “You’re talking about my mom.”
“Yes.”
“She gave you her address?”
“Yes.”
He nods once. There is no big reaction. Just a small shift, like something inside him clicks into place.
“She might’ve seen the news,” I say. “Your name was everywhere. If I were her, I’d be scared you were hurt or dead.”
Silence fills the car again. The road keeps humming beneath us.
“You really think she cares?”
“Yes,” I reply. “She just needs to know you’re okay.”
He drums his thumb against the wheel once, then stills it.
“How long?”
“Five minutes,” I say. “Ten, max.”
He exhales through his nose, a quiet release that sounds more tired than resistant. “Give it to me.”
I unlock my phone. I read the address slowly. Seth enters it without comment, one hand on the wheel, the other tapping the screen. The GPS recalculates and speaks up, announcing our turn.
