I roll onto my side with an angry flop, resisting the evil promises. Not one drink, not one drop. Closing my eyes, I imagine something soothing to reroute my thoughts.
I’m not surprised when Tristen’s face appears, oddly foggy and distorted, even though I sense him through the haze. A recurring memory from the night Burns attacked me that sometimes floats back to the surface of my mind. For the first time, he speaks, sounding exactly like Austin.
“I got you, Reese, and I’m not letting go.”
Even if it’s my imagination filling in the blanks, I don’t care. I cling to the statement, wrapping its comfort around me until my body relaxes and the trembling stops. But it’s not enough.
Pulling out my phone, I press play on the audiobook again and skip to Austin’s chapter. I sink into the pillow and let his voice transport me into the book world, the characters walking hand in hand down the street. Austin is no longer a faceless man, but Tristen with his shaggy black hair and trim beard, looking down at me as if I were his Annie.
With a contented sigh, I listen until sleep comes to claim me.
Two solid knocks bang on the door and send me catapulting out of bed. Another whack sounds from inside the camper, followed by Tristen’s moan.
Barefoot, I rush into the other room only to find him grumbling in his bed, his hair disheveled from sleep. I place a hand on my heart, hoping to steady its wild beats. From the kitchen window, I spot Gary holding two disposable coffee cups. I duck out of view, confused. Had something gone wrong with our payment? Or had he forgotten something?
“Um . . . it’s Gary.”
“Why the heck is he banging on our door at seven a.m.?” Tristen growls. He hops down from the overhead bunk, the dishes rattling in the cabinet from his landing. “And where are your pants? You’re not answering the door like that.”
Rolling my eyes, I lift the hem of my Cliffys t-shirt to reveal my running shorts. “Calm down, Dad.”
Like a bear rousing from hibernation, he stalks closer to me. His eyes darken to a midnight blue, unblinking. I bump into the sink behind me as he slaps his palms on either side of the counter, trapping me in place.
“I’m not going to say this again. I’mnotyour brother. AndI sure the heck amnotyour dad. The way I feel about you doesn’t reside anywhere near the family category.”
“It was a joke, Tristen,” I whisper, suddenly breathless at his nearness.
“Excuse me if I don’t find it funny on three hours of sleep.”
He holds my gaze for a second and snarls when Gary knocks on the door again. He pulls me behind him and cracks open the door with a curt greeting.
“Morning, y’all. I’m mighty surprised y’all ain’t up and packing by now.”
“Long night,” Tristen grumbles.
“I brought some parting gifts.”
Before I can accept my coffee, Tristen snatches them both with a quick word of thanks and shuts the door.
“Well, that was rude.”
“So is stopping by unannounced.”
Gary knocks on the door again, and I lift my brow at Tristen.
He cracks the door again. “Yeah?”
“Just wanted to offer up my assistance should y’all need help closing up the motorhome. It can be overwhelming the first time.” Gary eyes us nervously, sensing unspoken tension between us.
I pull the door from Tristen’s grip, swinging it wide. “That would be wonderful, Gary. Thank you. Let us get changed, and we’ll meet you outside.”
Step by step, Gary helps acquaint us with all the buttons on the main control panel and the proper way to have everything tucked away for the bumpy ride back to Rocosa. I hit the switch to bring the slide-out inside, and what precious space we had disappears to a snug one-person walkway. The awning is next, the electric gears grinding as it rolls back inward.
But that’s just for the interior. There’s still all the hoses and cables outside, not to mention the water tanks we have to empty from the shower and toilet.
I’m suddenly doubting Gary’s definition of “simple.”
While he teaches Tristen how not to drench himself in sewage water, I grab the spare parts and jack from my suitcase. I crank up one side of the motorhome, remove the tires, and add the new shocks before repeating everything on the other side. It’s a good thing I took the bus because the replacement parts were eating up what little money I had saved.
