He had it this whole time? And he knew he had it?
I’m too tired to be angry. Or it’s this new inner peace inside me, telling me to walk away.
I slap the dust off my hands. “I’m sure you can navigate yourself.”
I turn and stalk back to the bus, but I don’t sit in the passenger’s seat.
I’m done with whatever hellhole we’ve been living in since high school.
I sit in the back, and before I can even think another thought, I fall asleep. Only to wake up to arguing. I push the curtains aside and glance out the window beside me. We’re at the campground.
Thank the stars.
I open the door and step down. Angry Hart marches toward me.
“What’s going on?”
“They won’t let us in,” he snarls.
“Oh.”
“We’re too late.” He hops over the stairs, skipping them, and straight into the bus.
“What are you doing?”
“Finding somewhere else to camp this thing for the night.” He holds open the door. “Come on.”
“I’m not going with you.”
“Jade—”
“I’m not spending the night with someone I don’t trust. I’ll find my sisters.”
He stands silent, that vein throbbing. Finally, he pulls out his cell phone from his back pocket and holds it out to me.
“At least find out where they are.”
I stare at the phone.
“I don’t need a hero. I never did. I need someone to treat me like I’m worth more than a fleeting moment.”
I turn, but the lights of the campsite don’t bring relief. I’m close, but yet miles away. I’ll be lucky to find them tonight. And if I don’t, I’m stuck out alone.
22: TESTIES ARE YOUR BESTIES
HART
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“HEY, DITCH COWBOY.” Dean shouts loud enough for half the rodeo fairground to hear.
It’s too damn early for this.
For him.
I need a good night’s sleep and more than a cup of coffee to tolerate my brother’s loud, obnoxious, never-ending noise, especially when it’s directed at me.
It’s the day before the event, and early enough that the vendors haven’t all arrived to set up. Early because I didn’t sleep a wink. I was up all damn night listening to Jade’s words play in my head.
