Page 7 of Carson

“We got the parts,” someone tells him a second later.

“I’ll be right there. I just came in to wash my hands.”

“I see you got the part off.”

“Yeah, these older vehicles are so much easier to work on than the newer ones.”

“I hear you there, brother.”

It’s quiet for a moment before Carson slides his fingers back under the door. I reach out and touch them lightly. He taps his fingertips against mine before pulling his hand away.

I breathe a sigh of relief, because he’s going to keep my being here a secret.

My eyes fall closed as I listen to the muffled voices of the men outside, but one voice in particular holds my attention.

I smile at the butterfly in the dark. Chance used to do the same thing. I wonder if he told him about it. If he did, it means Carson knows my brother better than I thought.

My fingers straighten out every crease, memorizing each one as I go. I used to do this for hours when I would hide. It helped pass the time, and it kept my mind in the present. And that is the only place that brings me peace.

I’m not sure how many times I refold Carson’s butterfly before my eyes grow heavy and I fall asleep.

When I wake, the first thing I notice is the familiar sway of my van.

I’m going!

Wait … I’m going.

Where am I going?!

Chapter Four

Cole

My brother works beside me, each of us predicting the other’s move before it happens.

“Something happened while I was gone,” I say quietly.

Our friend Carver tosses the last tire in the back of his truck. “I’ll head to town and get the new ones you bought put on the rims,” he says before jumping in the cab and taking off.

Carson waits until the dust settles before speaking. “I found her keys. They were on the dash. Oh, and Luna’s here. She’s hiding in the closet inside.”

The stories Rage told us play through my mind. “Fuck.”

“She’s okay. I think she just feels safe in there.”

“You talked to her?”

He nods as he looks away.

My heart plummets to the pit of my stomach. I’ve been waiting … no, I’ve been dreading this moment my entire life. His interest in her runs deeper than the physical.

“Luna doesn’t want to see Rage. She was only here to make sure Mila was doing okay,” he continues, still refusing to meet my eye.

“And you’re going to let her get away with that?”

“No, but I don’t think we should force her. I was thinking maybe we take her back to Nevada with us until she’s ready to see him.”

When I don’t say anything, he finally looks at me.