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Then he turns to me. “Finn, any chance you can drop Fox at the farm? I know you’d have to go all the way out and come back to town, but I really want to stay.”

“Sure,” I say, and I’m impressed by how normal my voice sounds. “Yeah. I can drop him.”

I turn to Fox, who looks like he’s genuinely wrestling with this decision. His jaw is set like he’s going to refuse his brother’s request.

Then, slowly, he digs his car keys out of his jacket pocket and slides them across the table.

“Don’t drive it drunk.”

“I promise.”

“And park it straight this time.”

“That was one time.” Nikko pockets the keys and gives Fox a hug. “Thanks, bro.” Then he turns to me. “Finn, you sure you’re cool with that?”

“I am.”

“Great. Thanks, man.”

Nikko heads back toward the stage.

Fox stands and grabs both his coat and mine. I want to laugh but manage to keep my face as casual as possible.

The door of the bar swings shut and the noise cuts to a muffled thump. The cold on my face is a welcome break from the bar’s warmth. I put on my coat quickly and start walking toward my car with Fox beside me. Our shoulders bump, just once, and neither of us moves away.

I get to the driver’s side and unlock the doors.

Fox stops on the passenger side but doesn’t get in.

He looks at me over the roof of the car.

“Finn.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you really taking me to the farm?”

I put my arm on the roof of the car and rest my chin on my hand.

The streetlight is behind him, so his face is half in shadow, but the silver streaks at the edges of his dark hair still shine in the light. The scarf he borrowed from me is tucked into his coat.

I bite my lower lip so I don’t smile the way I want to. Then I open the car door.

“Get in the car, Fox.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

FOX

I get in the car and close the door. The heat is on, but the seats are still cold, so Finn cranks the temperature up high without looking at me.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?”

“Are you actually taking me back to the farm?”

He puts his seatbelt on, adjusts the rearview mirror, and fiddles with the vents so the warm air blows toward his face.