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“Lock in?” Knox says the words like it’s a bitter apple on his tongue.

“You know, really concentrate. Put all my energy toward it.”

“Ahh, okay. What should the signal be?”

I hum and glance out my window, like somewhere between the golden oak trees and various cobblestone streets, the sky will give me a sign.

“I could twist my hair. Like a gesture that it’s go time.”

“You always play with your hair.”

“Do I?”

“You’re doing it right now.”

I glance over, and sure enough, my fingers are all twisted up in my curls. How can he know that without even glancing my way?

“Hmm. How about a code word?”

“How about we say we’re clocking in and clocking out? So that way it’s as clear as possible that we are here to—”

“Get the job done.” I nod, finishing his sentence. “That’s perfect, great job, Knoxy.”

He curves around the last street of brick houses and pulls into our school’s parking lot. A wave of sadness washes over me knowing he won’t be coming in.

Don’t get me wrong, Lottie is still here and we have about half of our classes together, so it’s not like I am completely alone in this, but it’s not the same, really. Whereas I adore Lottie and would literally do anything for her, her head has been working in Walker time since he showed up this summer and checked off all the items on her bucket list. The problem is, I can’t even blame her. I imagine if I were in love like that, I would be thinking about that person all the time too.

Knox parks in the same parking spot we always took when we carpooled, and the sense of comfort and familiarity pushes out some of my sadness.

“I’ll see you later?” I grab my bag and my glazed croissant, and turn to open the door.

“I should have your car fixed up by the time you go to work. I can pick you up when you’re off.”

“You don’t have to do—”

“I’ll be there with the car fixed.”

I smile. I know he will. Knox has never once broken a promise to me, and he won’t start today.

I slip out of the car and wave at my best friend. He calls through the rolled down window, “Bye, cute stranger.”

“You forgot to clock in.” I smile back at him.

“Guess so.” He shrugs and pulls out of the parking lot.

Chapter Nine Knox

By the time I get back to the shop, the sun’s barely crested the tree line and the air still smells like cold metal and last night’s woodsmoke drifting in from town. The guys are already in their usual spots—Miller by the parts desk pretending to do inventory, John elbows deep in a tractor he’s been “fixing” for the last three days.

I probably shouldn’t even be here; there’s a million other responsibilities I’m sure my dad would rather have me running around doing, but this place has always seemed like the least stressful part of my job. Like taking a break while still working, if that makes sense.

When I set my tool bag on the bench, my uncle eyes me suspiciously. “You sick?” Miller lifts the collar of his shirt to cover his mouth. I’ve never met someone so scared of a cold.

“If I had a dollar for every time I was asked that recently.”

I’d have three dollars…which isn’t a lot. But it is weird for the small span of two weeks.

“Why don’t you just take the day and…I don’t know. Do something. Sleep. Go chasing that girl that gives you those hearts in your eyes.”