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“Very funny. My Toyota Camry still runs like it’s brand new.”
“Are we gonna pretend you didn’t just cough up two grand to fix that last month?”
“That was 1,500.”
I burst out laughing because he’s one to talk. His 1998 sedan is one pothole away from ending up in the junkyard. “Where is she?”
“I have no idea. Her text says on the outskirts of town. Signal’s apparently spotty, so maybe by the Hilltop Oaks? Listen, I’m in the next state for work. I’m flying back as soon as I can. Can you maybe drive around and find her? I know our place is generally safe…”
“Okay, got it. I'll find her.”
“Call me when you do.”
“What's her name again?”
“Nora.”
* * *
Normally,I’d be pissed at putting back my bottle into the fridge and grabbing my keys instead. I’m only wearing gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt, but who cares? I just have to pick her up and drop her at Keith’s. I’m a bit immune to the cold anyway, so I just slip on a pair of shoes and head out.
I’m still thinking about the cold amber liquid in my mouth as I scan the empty blacktop road. Keith was right when he said it was generally safe out here. Crime is almost nonexistent. The only action police officers had seen in the past three months was when a young kid thought it would be funny to prank Mr. Levinston and steal his lawnmower.
Most residents leave their doors unlocked even at night, but I won’t go that far. I sleep better knowing that if there’s some shady motherfucker out there who wants to steal from me or whatever, he’s gonna have to work for it.
The clock on my dashboard reads 1:00 AM. I’m probably in bed right now if I don’t need to play knight in shining armor. But whatever.
Save for the usual nocturnal noises, the only other sounds are the hum of my truck engine and the tires against the asphalt.
Wait.
There. I think I see her.
Noticing a faint glimmer up ahead, I slow down. My headlights illuminate a figure wearing cutoff shorts and bending over the car hood on the side of the road. I ignore what she’s wearing because one, she’s Keith’s sister. Two, I just want to get back home. And three, I don’t wanna be that creep who ogles anything and everything that moves.
My foot eases off the gas, bringing my truck to a stop. She probably hears the rumble of the engine because she swivels her head to me. Her hazard lights brighten her surroundings, and my heart slams against my ribcage.
Time stands still, and the ground disappears from underneath me.
Her eyes are wide with fear, eyebrows rising to her hairline, her hand clutching a flashlight.
But…
Nora is no longer the cherubic-faced kid I know. She’s grown. Fully grown. And I’m becoming well aware of just how much.
“Nora?”
Her hair, the color of burnished copper, cascades down her back, a few tendrils framing her face and dancing in the night breeze. I can’t really tell what color her eyes are, but they’re staring at me like she’s trying to decide whether I’m a danger to her or not.
Well, that puts a damper on things. Because I remember, like a bucket of ice-cold water poured on me, that she’s Keith’s sister.
Fuck.
“Nora?”
She takes a step back and waves the flashlight like it’s a weapon. “W-who are you?”
Her breaths burst in and out, and she licks her lips and darts her eyes around, maybe looking for an escape. I’m supposed to tell her she’s safe, that I’m her brother’s friend.
