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“You’re wasting your time, Rhett.”
I know he’s right, but I can’t just give up.
“I’m going to drive around a bit. I have to try to find her.”
I can picture him shaking his head as he keeps quiet for a few seconds.
“Come get me. You can’t drive and look for her alone.”
“Thanks, I owe you.”
I cut the call, shove the phone back in my pocket and get in the car. The entire drive home, I keep glancing around, hoping I’ll get lucky.
I know Carter thinks I’m insane for wanting to help this girl. I don’t know how to explain it to him. Saying that I want to do for her what Mr. Hayes did for me, doesn’t begin to sum it up. It’s a combination of things.
There’s no way Evie’s eighteen. Mia looks older than Evie, and Mia just turned fifteen. I think what got to me most was how scared and embarrassed she looked. I don’t know anything about her past, but there’s no way someone like her will make it on the street.
When I stop out front, I only have to wait a few seconds before Carter comes out. As he walks around to the driver’s side, I let the window down so I can hear what he wants to say.
“I can’t remember what the girl looks like. I’ll drive while you search for her.”
I shove the door open and walk around the car to the passenger side. I can’t believe Carter can’t remember her. I’ll recognize Evie from her red hair alone, never mind those green eyes. She might be a kid, but she’s a pretty kid. Even though she’s skinny as hell, it doesn’t hide her beauty.
As Carter starts the car, he asks, “What’s it with you and this girl?”
“She’s a kid, Carter. I can’t let her live on the streets. She won’t make it out there.”
Carter shakes his head, not agreeing with me.
“I might be helping, but that doesn’t mean that I agree with you. You can’t save people like her. She’ll keep going back to the street, no matter how hard you try.”
I glare at him before turning my eyes back to the street.
“Nothing you say will stop me from trying,” I whisper.
Carter lets out a heavy breath, but at least he keeps driving.
“Where do you want to start looking?” he asks.
“I don’t know.” I think about it for a minute then say, “Close to restaurants and fast food places. If I were homeless, I would stay close to any place I can get food.”
Hours later, I’m on the verge of losing hope when Carter says, “I’m stopping at McDonald's. You want something?”
I have no appetite which alone says a lot about my mood. I’ve never been so upset over a stranger before.
“Just get me a bottle of water.”
When we pull up to the drive-thru, there are six cars ahead of us.
Without thinking it through, I open the door. “I’m going to look around while you get your food.”
I’m out of the car before Carter can respond. Walking through the parking area, I head away from the main street. When I pass by the dumpsters, the stench is almost overwhelming. I carry on down a quieter road, looking up every alley.
I only realize how far I’ve walked when Carter pulls up next to me. The pissed off glare I get from him tells me he’s ready to head home.
I can’t give up yet. I know I’ll find Evie if I just keep looking.
When I don’t get back in the car, Carter gets out and growls, “What the fuck are you doing, Rhett? We’ve been driving around for hours. Get your ass in the car. We’re going home.”
