Chapter 6 #3
I don’t have time to ask to him to explain before he continues.
“I didn’t have any siblings or cousins,” he goes on, “but with you I got to learn…to set an example and to be invested in someone’s happiness.
Someone smaller and more vulnerable in the world.
You affected me in a way no one else did.
” He falls silent for a moment. “Quinn, sometimes people just want to connect and not be alone and have a good time. Blow off some steam. You’re not built like that. ”
What does he know? He doesn’t know me anymore. Why can’t he see me like he sees everyone else? I’m not an angel. Or superhuman. I want to be touched and kissed hard and breathless, just like everyone else.
I don’t realize that my eyes are filled with tears until one spills over. I swipe it away.
And why the hell did he leave for so long if I was important to him?
“I think I might be,” I say, my throat so tight it hurts. “Built like that, I mean.”
I’d go somewhere with him right now and not be alone, just the two of us, and I don’t care if he’s leaving.
But he asks again, “Where are you?”
So much like my brothers in his duty to keep me away from bad guys. He doesn’t want to open up to me more, because if he did, I’d open this mirror, come out of hiding, and ask him to take me to practice driving tonight. Just the two of us.
I wipe my eyes. “Home,” I lie. “It’s raining. I got a ride from my barista. Tried calling you for one.”
He looks skeptical. “How are you calling me from your phone? Madoc says you left it at the bakery.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Tell him to update his app.”
He falls silent, looking like he has more to say, but then asks, “Will I see you tomorrow?” Because he wants to leave on good terms with me remembering him well.
“Yes.”
He nods. “Goodnight.”
I hang up without replying and wait for him to leave. I guess I could sneak out through Rivertown, or the hatch in the roof, but I need my bike. I’d risk running into him.
He rises from the table and tucks in the chair, but he doesn’t leave.
Walking to the windows, he stands and looks out at the night rain.
The strain in his eyes is visible from here as he folds his arms over his chest. The storm outside dances across his face in the lantern light from the sidewalk, and I raise my phone, snapping a picture of him.
The only picture of him that’s all for me.
Don’t leave.
Is his life there so much better than us?
But then a vehicle passes outside, and Lucas lets his arms fall as he shoots to the side, out of view.
I freeze. What was that?
I glance out the window, thinking I might see the old, black Dodge, but I catch the tail end of a dark SUV—a Traverse, I think—go by. I don’t recognize it.
Does he know that car?
He looks like he was hiding from it.
His phone rings, and he stares at the screen for several seconds before ignoring the call.
What’s going on?
He leaves through the kitchen, the back door slamming shut, and I wait about two seconds before I flip the latch and climb out. Closing it back up, I run through the shop, spotting his car at the curb out front before I dash into the kitchen, hearing the lock click.
I wait until I hear his car start up at the front of the building before I dash out into the alley, locking up the bakery again. Then, I jump on my bike to follow him.
He could be going home. Or maybe he’s going somewhere I need to see.
Desperate for answers, I pedal to the end of the alley and peek around the corner, his rental car appearing. He takes a right, as if heading to Madoc’s house. Or mine.
As he approaches the curve, about to disappear, I take off, pedaling as fast as I can.
Water sloshes under my tires, and rain soaks my hair, but I stand up and pump faster, just enough to stay in view.
He cruises faster, speeding by the turnoff for Madoc’s and my neighborhood, climbing into the forest.
Trees loom on both sides, darkness surrounding me, and I look behind me, keeping an eye out for the old car with its headlights off from earlier. And for Madoc who might still be out looking for me if Lucas hasn’t texted him to tell him I’m home.
He continues to ascend the hill, disappearing around the corner, and I groan, my muscles on fire. An e-bike was a fantastic idea. Why did I resist it?
The road splits in two, but you can’t go to the left. It’s a one-way exit for the other highway, only for oncoming traffic. I veer right, continuing on, but as I reach the top of the incline, I don’t see him. There are no cars. Nothing on the long stretch ahead.
I look around for turnoffs and then behind me, in case he pulled off, but he’s gone.
Where the hell did he go? There’s nothing for miles.
But I can’t stay out here, and I’m not riding down some dark, lonely, gravel road. I got braver tonight, but not that brave.
Turning around, I head back into town, my head swirling. Where was he going? Who was in that car that he recognized? Who was in that damn car that followed me?
Why don’t I tell him to stay?
So many questions, but as usual, I’m the last to answer them. I’m always the one who knows the least, the one no one trusts to be up for a little fun. Or even better, to lead.
There’s only one thing I want more than Lucas Morrow, and that’s my freedom from him. My freedom from everyone who loves me, in fact. From everyone who thinks they know me.
I park the bike in the alley behind the bakery, take my chain lock, and head inside. Once in the hideout, I climb the spiral staircase, loop my bike lock around the handle and the latch, securing the door tightly from the inside.
One door down, two more to go.
The hideout is mine now.