7. Foster
7
FOSTER
W hat kind of crazy person leaves their house unlocked like that so just anyone off the beach could wander in? sputtered the redhead I d spent the night unintentionally breaking and entering with.
No idea, I answered, hurrying toward the front door so I could throw it open and frantically wave her toward me. You want to wait another thirty seconds and ask them? Or just go now and avoid the risk of jail time or getting shot?
She blinked at me in surprise, then said, I m ready to go now.
Thank you. I breathed in relief as she streaked toward me, barefoot.
From the back of the house, a door opened, and I heard, Hey! as I darted out the door behind her.
Run! I gasped, and she didn t need to be told twice. She took off sprinting for all she was worth.
I dogged her heels, glancing back to see a figure appear in the entrance that I d left hanging wide open. They didn t continue after us, though, just stayed there.
This way, Raina called, steering us toward a patch of dune grass. The stalks were probably three or four feet tall, so we crouched as soon as we reached them to duck out of sight. But at least we didn t have to outright sprint once the foliage concealed us.
Keep going, I encouraged as I glanced over my shoulder yet again. I still didn t see anyone following us, but I didn t want to linger to find out if they d called the police or not, either.
In front of me, the girl steadily shimmied through some reeds. I batted them out of my face and kept bear-crawling after her until we reached a clearing that led to a white picket fence bordering another property.
Come on, I whispered, moving in front of her to take the lead. Javonte Witt s house is only a few minutes this way. I have my truck parked there.
Oh, thank goodness, she panted, already holding onto her side and wheezing.
Still in a crouch, I zipped toward the fence, then hugged the beachside once I reached it. I glanced back once to make sure she was still with me, and when she nodded to let me know she was keeping up, I started to jog a lot more freely the rest of the way to Javonte s.
The beach behind his fenced backyard was clear and undisturbed. Returning to the gate I had slipped out of last night to walk down to the water, I paused to check on my accomplice.
She was breathing hard, her face glistening with sweat, and she was still holding her side with one hand while reaching for the fence s brick wall to brace herself with the other.
Break, she gasped unsteadily. Can we take a break?
Of course. I don t think anyone s following us. Letting go of the gate handle, I returned to the beach to peer down the sand and make sure we didn t have any pursuers.
Yeah, I think we re good, I assured, turning back to find her plopping down onto the ground and sitting with her back to the wall.
Bobbing her head, she sent me a thumbs-up to let me know she d heard. Then, she drew her legs up toward her chest, clutched her middle, and bent forward to rest her brow on her knees.
Oh my God, she groaned in misery. I m never drinking again.
You okay? I wondered, coming over to sit a few feet from her. Bracing my back against the bricks as well, I rested my forearms on my own knees and squinted at her in worry.
Ask me again in two minutes, she managed to answer as she remained just as she was.
Gotcha. Letting my head fall back, I closed my eyes and withdrew a long breath.
A minute passed before the girl beside me groaned. So that happened.
I chuckled and glanced over. Yes, it did.
I ve never broken into a complete stranger s house before.
Trust me, me neither.
She nodded. It was…different than I d imagined it would be.
I blurted out a laugh over her blasé attitude. And then I couldn t seem to stop.
At first, she blinked at me as if I were insane, but then she broke and smiled before she started to laugh with me.
That had to be the strangest, most bizarre night of my life, she confessed.
With a nod, I wiped tears of mirth from my eyes and finally started to settle down. You could say that again.
And then we tied it up with trespassing.
Thanks for the reminder. I glanced over to find her watching me with a thoughtful expression. When she said nothing else, I whispered, What?
She shook her head. I just—I can t believe how cool you re being about all this. I mean, I heard you were super nice, but this…
I furrowed my brow in confusion and shook my head. What did I do that was so nice?
Are you serious? she cried in dismay. You nursed a strange and crazy drunk girl through the night without taking advantage of her, only to find out the next morning— Her words stalled off before she tipped her head to the side. You didn t take advantage of me, did you?
What ? Eyes widening, I laughed and waved my hands. No! Of course, not.
With a dreamy sigh, she tipped her head toward me thoughtfully. See. Some guys wouldn t have seen a problem with swooping in for a little touchy-feely time in a situation like that.
I guess some guys are total asshats, then, I assured, pushing my way back to my feet and dusting sand off my jeans. Because no way would I do that. Are you rested enough to move again? My truck isn t far away now.
Just… She held up a finger and gulped as if trying to swallow down some nausea. One more minute.
Her cheeks looked unnaturally flushed. I lifted my eyebrows, stepping close. Ready for the hospital yet?
Scowling over the suggestion, she insisted, I only need a minute.
I chuckled and lifted my hands. Okay. I m going to check the beach one last time. Make sure we weren t followed.
Good idea. Thank you.
As I turned away, she groaned in agony, probably on the brink of vomiting.
Foster? she said in a small voice as if she might ve changed her mind about the hospital after all.
Yeah? I answered, squinting to make sure the dot down the beach wasn t a person. When it spread its wings and lifted into the air, reassuring me it wasn t, I turned back toward the girl to see what she needed.
But she was no longer sitting against the fence.
She was gone.
I blinked and straightened in surprise because I hadn t heard her stand up or walk away or anything.
Hello? I called, spinning in a circle to find her. Diane?
When no one answered, I glanced back at the spot where she d been sitting, but the girl had freaking vanished as if she d never been there.
The only place she possibly could have disappeared to this fast was into Javonte s backyard, but I hadn t heard the latch on the gate. And when I hurried forward to draw it open, the metal hinges squeaked loudly, telling me I definitely would ve heard her enter.
Inside the backyard, the lawn and pool were littered with bottles, Solo cups, and articles of clothing, plus some shirtless dude was passed out in one of the deck chairs. But there were no redheaded girls anywhere.
What the hell? I demanded aloud.
Where had she gone?
I popped back outside the fence to walk the perimeter, but I still couldn t find her.
It was the most bizarre end to a most bizarre night. And I hated that I had no idea how to check in and make sure she d gotten home okay. Damn. Did she even know where her home was?
I should ve just taken her to the hospital, I said as I glanced uneasily toward the water.
But I assured myself there was no way she was out there. She would ve had to pass right by me to reach the Gulf. And besides, she wasn t a seven-year-old boy. I m sure she was perfectly adept at swimming and strong enough to fight any current that?—
My phone rang from my pocket, making me jump out of my skin.
When I pulled it up and saw Parker s name, I answered with a shake of my head, needing to tell someone about my freaky, peculiar night. Dude— I started.
Only for him to burst out, Where the fuck are you? He sounded strangely worried. Or maybe scared.
I m— I glanced up at Javonte s fence and winced.
Doesn t matter, he growled. You re alive. Now get to Archer House. ASAP.
Alarmed by the urgency in his tone, I straightened. What s wrong?
Just get your ass over here.