Travis wheeled toward me, eyes blazing. “You think he’s going to be different? You think because he plays hero?—”
“I think,” I said, “you should be very careful right now.”
“Careful? What are you going to do?” Travis sneered. “You’re in a trailer, Becca. Working at a gas station. You’re living in a campground that will be—” He cut himself off mid-sentence, the words dying abruptly in his throat. His mouth snapped shut like he’d bitten down on something bitter. “You have no idea what you’re losing if you let me go. You’re nothing without me.”
Levi stepped forward. Just one step. “I’ll happily beat the shit out of you right now if you don’t shut your fucking mouth.” His voice stayed level, making the promise hit harder. He glanced up at me. “Can I?”
I almost said yes.
“Oh, that is quite enough out of you, Travis.” Aggie burst from her Airstream in a bright purple track suit, duck boots on her feet, mug of tea in one hand, and her phone in the other.
Rosemary followed, in hot pink, walking shoes, eyes sharp and unimpressed.
Aggie leveled her mug at Travis like a gavel.
“I’ve known who you were since the first time I saw you standing next to Becca with that proprietary smile. She doesn’t belong to you. Never did.” Sip of tea. “I’ve seen your car here four times this week. This morning’s car is new. I photographed the plates. Sent them to Matt. He texted back, and he’s on his way.”
Rosemary assessed Travis calmly. “You should go,” she said. “Before you piss Levi off even more.”
Travis looked at Aggie. Rosemary. Levi—still immovable. Did the math.
“The thing about men like him,” Aggie said, “is their bullshit only works in private. They count on you being alone.” She gestured at the campground. “We are never alone here.”
Travis turned. Walked to the car. The engine started. Taillights disappeared.
Rosemary tilted her head. “He parked crooked, too, the dipshit.”
A hysterical laugh burst out of me, and I pressed a hand to my mouth.
Levi stepped forward, cupped my face gently, thumb brushing my cheek. “You were amazing,” he said.
“I am pissed. That’s hardly amazing. He knows something,” I muttered. “He knew about my podcast. He said someone sent him a link, but that’s bullshit.”
“I heard.” Jaw flex. “He stopped himself from saying more.”
“Which means someone told him to keep quiet.”
We looked at each other. Same thought. Someone was in this with him.
“Matt’s coming,” Aggie said. “He’s on his way.”
“Good.”
Rosemary glanced at Levi. “You need a comb, honey. Your hair is a disaster. Looks like someone has been running their hands through it all night.” She shot me a wink.
“Good morning to you, too, Gram.” He let out a low chuckle.
“It is now. Come inside. Breakfast is ready.”
Aggie paused, looked at me. “You did good. Come eat. I made bacon and eggs, and there’s plenty to go around.”
They disappeared inside.
Levi held out his hand.
I took it.
His fingers closed warm around mine. We crossed the gravel toward Aggie’s bright Airstream, where Rosemary was already telling Aggie that Levi was holding my hand, and Aggie was saying she could see that, and Rosemary was saying she knew, she just wanted to say it out loud.
