Page 96 of When The Noise Stops

Tiny took another sip of coffee like he hadn't done anything insane.

"Figured I'd be bringing y'all home to help. I knew neither one of you would leave Grizz out in the cold."

Chapter 39

Two days after we left D.C., the RV pulled into the lot at Mercer Auto around noon.

There was a customer standing at the counter. An older man with a clipboard and a frown on his face. Knox was behind the counter, listening, nodding, being patient the way he was with customers even when he didn't want to be.

I didn't wait.

I stepped off the RV and ran across the lot like I hadn't left without saying goodbye.

"Grizz!"

He looked up. His face went from surprise to confusion to something I couldn't read.

I threw my arms around him anyway.

"I'm back."

He didn't hug me back. He didn't move. Just stood there with his arms at his sides and his jaw tight.

"I'm with a customer," he said.

I stepped back. My face went hot.

"Oh," I said.

"Right."

I dropped my arms.

"I'll just—" I gestured vaguely.

"I'll be around."

He didn't say anything. Just watched me walk away.

I found Gabby in the office.

She was at the desk, doing homework. She looked up when I walked in.

"Lila?"

"Hey, sweetheart."

She smiled.

"You came back."

"I did."

"Dad said you were in D.C."

"I was."

"For a long time."