Or would he already be on his way out?
It didn’t feel like anything could calm me down, and it didn’t help that my phone was blowing up with calls from Joey.
I picked it up with shaking hands, considering turning it off or throwing it out the window.
Then I saw one text that gave me hope.
Theo
I’m going to this motel right outside of Knoxville. Meet me there.
44
THEO
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Mark Bell:So ... are we gonna talk about it?
Comments:
Kerry Winsor:Joey Hancock has been banned from the group.
Mark Bell:That’s really all you’re gonna say?
Kerry Winsor:Oh, I have thoughts. But I’ll save them for Theo when I see him.
Mark Bell:If you see him.
When I thoughtabout how everything would end, I always knew it would be devastating.
This was much worse.
The Strawberry Springs welcome sign was in my rearview mirror. The shop was closed, the door tightly locked.
Maybe I’d leave it with Kelsey. Maybe it wouldfade into nothing and be just like the dilapidated building I’d originally found.
I’d thought about this many times. I’d change my number and get as far away as I could. I’d find a new town and never look back.
But there was one thing I couldn’t leave behind.
Piper being in Knoxville was the only reason I was heading in that direction. I’d stop, say goodbye, and then start over.
Find somewhere else to hide.
The motel I found was decent, but far enough away that there weren’t many people. I had no idea how Piper was doing, but I needed to see her at least once.
I was in a state of numbness as I sat in the quiet room, the same feeling I’d had when I left at eighteen. There was no room for sentimentality or being sad. I had to move on.
It was harder this time.
Out the window, I watched Piper’s car pull in, and I stood mechanically. I opened the door and only made it one step before she collided with me.
“I’m sorry,” she said into my ear. “I’m so fucking sorry. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen, and I ... I should’ve handled this better. I’msorry.” Her voice was too fast and her entire body was trembling.
The ice around my heart melted, and for the first time in hours, I felt something. My own hands shook as I held her.
She was here. She was in my arms.
