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“But that’s what you want, right? Best of both worlds?”
Before I can respond, my phone rings from my jean pocket. I pick them up and reach inside to dig it out. Bear’s name is on the screen.
“Yeah?”
“You ready to head out? I’ll be dropping off Lyla at the house in half an hour.”
“I’m getting ready to leave,” I say, which isn’t the entire truth.
“Is the four-wheeler in the woods?”
“Yep. Exactly where you told me to put it.”
“And you’re gonna take your bike to the motel, leave it there, then walk back to it?”
“Yes. I know what to do. You’ve told me about ten times in the last twenty-four hours, Bear.”
“Don’t get pissy with me, RJ. I just have to make sure everything is done exactly right so Lyla doesn’t get hurt.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll leave now.”
“Tell Thane that Jordan should be pulling up to pick him up any minute, then he’s gonna stay with him at the motel.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him,” I say, even though Thane probably heard everything through the phone.
As soon as I end the call, I start pulling my clean jeans on. “You get all that?”
“Yeah. Jordan’s coming to pick me up.”
By the time we’re both dressed and I open the bathroom door, the doorbell rings.
“There’s your ride,” I turn around to tell Thane.
“Yeah. Promise you’ll be careful?”
“Yeah, I promise,” I agree through clenched teeth. I’m so tired of everyone treating me like a child who fucks everything up. Sure, I do screw up a lot, but I won’t tonight.
Thane nods and then heads for the front door without another word.
I hate that he’s leaving while things feel…off between us. But it’s not like we have the time to talk shit out. Even if we had all day, it probably wouldn’t be enough for me to decide to give up women for good after twenty-four years.
* * *
The woods are quiet and peaceful tonight. Off in the distance, I can hear a few cars, but it still feels like I’ve got the night to myself.
I’m not sure how much time goes by because Bear told me not to take out my phone, making it glow, except to tell him when I see Lyla. Eventually, I hear quiet footsteps approaching from the direction of our grassy backyard.
When they step into the row of trees, the footsteps become louder, thanks to the crunching of leaves.
She grabs my shoulder to climb onto the back of the four-wheeler before I even hear her breathing. Neither of us says a word as ordered by Bear. I send the quick text, shielding the screen’s light with my body.
There’s no way to avoid the engine roaring when I crank up and take off. Going faster is louder, but there’s no helping that either.
We only make it about twenty yards when I hear the pop-pop sound over the engine that has to be a gun.
Son of a bitch!
The back of the four-wheeler suddenly sinks, and I know we’re fucked. I can’t drive the damn thing on just two front wheels!
