Page 65 of Bound in Ashes

Not the Asia who always stood toe-to-toe with me.

“Speaking of, we found two trucks filled with supplies. I thought it made sense for us to take one and you take the other,” Christopher said tentatively.

Asia stared at me, but I couldn’t look at her.

Couldn’t see her worry for someone else. Someone who’d put her in harm’s way.

Couldn’t think about how I’d done the exact same thing.

I looked at Christopher.

An easy and worthy outlet for my rage.

A man Asia wanted to protect.

That thought was a kick in the gut.

I breathed around it, trying to pretend I didn’t give a fuck. “How lucky. And generous,” I said, though I didn’t look away from Asia.

“Well, this is a community. We take care of each other here,” Christopher said.

“Heard that the first time, Chris,” I said through gritted teeth.

Christopher smiled, and then he shifted toward Asia, smiling brightly. “Guess I’ll see you around.”

He reached out to shake her hand.

Asia lifted her arm, but froze in midair when she looked at me.

Ended up doing some kind of wave thing.

Then looked at me to gauge my reaction.

I didn’t give one, but I was roiling inside.

Christopher stood there awkwardly then shrugged. “Well, best get back,” he said.

“Good-bye, Christopher,” Asia said.

“I meant what I said earlier,” he said.

Then he tipped his hat and made his way to his truck.

“What did he say earlier?” I asked.

Asia waved me off. “It was nothing. Just the typical BS about community. Same shit his father has been spewing for the last forty years.”

She got in the truck without saying anything else.

Probably thought the matter was closed.

I couldn’t wait to show her how fucking wrong she was.

TEN

Jack

I pulled off the main road, and found a spot hidden by trees.