“I know.”
“You’re saying that like it hurt.”
“It did.”
Crystal’s mouth twitched.
I ignored both of them. “We’re not leaving her here alone.”
“No,” Dex said. “We aren’t.”
I bent over the water bottle before either of them saw how much I needed that answer.
Crystal set the crackers down and watched me too long.
“Jade,” she said quietly. “Did he hurt you?”
“No.”
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
I turned from both of them before they saw too much. “We have bigger problems.”
Crystal nodded like that hurt, but she didn’t push.
I needed air.
The porch boards were warm under my boots. The screen door whispered shut behind me. Summer pressed close, carrying pine sap, dry grass, and dust. Beyond the rail, the cabin road curved between trees, empty for now. The silver car sat tucked beside the A-frame with needles scattered across its hood.
I gripped the porch rail and made myself breathe.
The door opened behind me.
Dex stepped onto the porch but didn’t come close enough to touch me. He stood near the door with one shoulder against the rough siding, leaving me the rail, the steps, and the illusion of space.
“Crystal’s sitting down,” he said.
“Does she know you’re giving progress reports?”
“No.”
“Brave.”
“She’s scarier than she looks.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re exactly as scary as you look.”
I turned my head. “That sounded like another compliment.”
“It was closer to a warning to myself.”
I missed my next breath.
I faced the road again. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
