He said we were bonded. Connected. I don’t want to believe him.
I thought appeasement was my best bet to live through the experience. And it worked. I escaped.
Only he’s trailing me, and I’m troubled in strange ways.
I reach Bloomsdark County Hospital, the front facade covered with red bricks. It’s not large enough for serious procedures, but it’s better than nothing. My mom gave birth here, my grandmother did too.
My parents are waiting outside the main entrance, and I park in the pick-up zone to wait for them, stepping out of the vehicle. I cast my gaze on the clouds, scanning them. I can’t find Zuriel, and some of my panic dissipates.
A police car is parked nearby, and two officers work from the front seat. People wander around while what looks like every car mechanic in town is in the parking garage. They have a pickup bed full of tires.
My parents approach me, and they are not alone. The beautiful, rude man from the shop walks with them. He meets my gaze and nods sheepishly.
“We were hoping you could do Adrien a favor and drive him home too,” my mother says.
Adrien.I’d missed his name before. His smile turns soft, hopeful even, quick to forgive and forget how cold I was to him the night before. “I’d appreciate the favor. Your parents say my boarding house is along the way. I’m too nervous to hitchhike in the dark.”
I don’t answer, my eyes flicking to the sky when a bat flits by. I glance back to find Adrien has followed my gaze, and when we make eye contact again, he smiles like it was nothing.
He’s handsome.Toohandsome. Why the hell is he in Elmstitch and not in New York City modeling forVogue? He’d be better off there.
I glance down. A worm wiggles across the pavement, and I wrap my arms around my chest.
“Do you want me to drive?” Dad asks, realizing I’m distracted.
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Just spooked.”
Dad squeezes my shoulder. “We all are. Beck is stable. We’ll visit him tomorrow when we return for our cars. Sorry to make you come out here. There aren’t enough tires to go around, though they’re sending people to Honey Falls to pick up more tonight. I overheard that the state police are on their way. They’ll take care of things.”
“Right.”
Dad squints at me as I scan the clouds once more before getting behind the wheel.
He takes the passenger seat while Mom sits with Adrien in the back. I’m quiet the entire drive, but that doesn’t stop mom from filling the car with conversation, peppering him with question after question while prattling on about today.
Adrien is a prospector for a dairy company that plans to expand, and Elmstitch is the first of several rural towns they are considering. They’re building a new plant, and I can understand why Dad likes him—he’s a businessman who sees more jobs coming to town.
“Do you have someone special?” my mom asks Adrien pointedly, causing me to flinch.
“Unfortunately, I don’t. My job keeps me on the road, though I’m hoping that will soon change.”
Mom kicks the back of my seat. As if she weren’t already making herself clear.
“Summer is wonderful at her work too,” she says when I remain quiet. “Hopkins’ is the top-rated museum in Bloomsdark county.”
It’s theonlymuseum in Bloomsdark county.
“I’d love to spend more time there. Sadly, my first visit was rushed. I regret how I left.”
“It’s fine,” I mumble, forced to participate.
“I’m sure Summer could give you a personal tour! Won’t you, honey?”
“Uh… I think this is our stop, right?” I pull up in front of the converted boarding house with a sign readingVacancy.
“Summer,” Adrien says my name slowly like he’s feeling it out. “Thanks for the ride. I hope to see you around. I’d love that tour. Maybe we can get back on the right track. I really am sorry for how I behaved the other day. It was unacceptable. The job has been… demanding.”
I finally look at him and nod. “Don’t worry about it.”
