Defiance sharpens his tone. “If that’s what it takes.”
He’s so dang bullheaded. “It’s a seven-hour drive from here to Mt. Pleasant in good weather. Who knows how long it’ll take in a winter storm.”
“I have to try,” he growls and spins around. Then he dips his head as if he just thought of something. “Wait. How do you know how long a drive it is?”
Crap! Heat flames my cheeks as I backpedal. “I assume that’s how long it’ll take. Am I far off?”
“No, you’re right on the money.”
Whew. Close call. When will I learn to be more careful before blurting things out? I shift my focus to his foolhardy quest. “It’s not safe for you to be out on the roads tonight, especially in your Corvette.”
He thrusts out his jaw with an obstinate fierceness. “I’m going.”
It tugs at my heartstrings to see him in such a state—so vulnerable. Words issue from my mouth before I can fully process what I’m saying. “I’ll go with you. We’ll take my SUV.” My rented SUV.
He blinks. “It’s not safe.”
I lift my chin. “No, it’s not, but we’ll have a better chance of getting there in the Honda CR-V than your Corvette.” I get to my feet. “I’ll run home, pack a bag, and meet you back here to save time.”
He looks astonished. “You’re really going with me?”
“I am.” It’s mind-boggling how concerned I am about him, given the short time we’ve been around each other. This is insane. By going back to Mt. Pleasant, I’m drastically increasing the odds of getting found out. And yet, I can’t stand the thought of him going alone in an older model sports car that won’t handle well in snow and ice. He needs me right now, and I’m not about to let him down. So much for my plan to pretend to be sickfor the benefit. I can’t leave him high and dry. I just can’t! I guess I’ll have to manage the complications as they come along.
“I don’t know what to say.” He looks at me through glowing eyes like I’m doing something heroic. We share a smile that pulses tenderness through me. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I say softly. I glance outside, urgency pressing through me. “The faster I leave, the sooner I can get back.”
He frowns. “No need for you to leave now. I’ll just grab my things, and we can stop by your house on the way.”
I step up to him and cup his cheek, stroking his skin. “Thanks, but I’ll just run home. Don’t worry, I won’t be gone long.”
Suspicion clouds his eyes, magnifying the worry and anguish he feels for his dad. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re avoiding me finding out where you live?”
I force a laugh. “That’s silly. Why would I do that?”
“I dunno. You tell me.”
I lower my hand and roll my eyes to play it off. “Are we gonna waste valuable time arguing?”
“I guess not,” he sighs and then gives me a pointed look. “But when we get back, you’re going to have to take me to your house. Otherwise, I’ll think you’re hiding something.”
“Deal,” I smile. Anything to buy more time.
Few things are as grueling as driving long hours on icy roads through the middle of the night. Six hours into our trip, and it’s official. My nerves are shot, and I’ve gnawed my fingernails down to nubs. Axel grips the steering wheel with both hands, shoulders rigid. His expression is a mask of concentration.For the past hour, we’ve been following behind an eighteen-wheeler and staying in its tracks so that we won’t slip and slide. Snowflakes are pelting the windshield almost faster than the wipers can whisk them away. We tried listening to music for a while, but that added to the stress, so we’ve opted for the quiet instead.
As I stare straight ahead, my mind wanders. When we first got into the SUV, I had to explain why I was driving a rental. I made up a story about my car being in the shop. The lies are piling up.
I’m not sure if the party will still take place on Saturday. It’ll probably depend on how Axel’s dad is doing. Axel called Cassie earlier to get a report, but she said their dad was still in surgery. I’ve been saying lots of silent prayers, asking for Randall to pull through. Also, I’ve been praying that we’ll travel safely. We’re only able to go about forty miles an hour. With the snow, the darkness, and the monotonous rhythm of the wipers, it feels like we’re caught in a time warp.
I nearly jump out of my skin when Axel’s phone rings from where it’s resting in the console. Not wanting him to get distracted, I reach for it and look at the screen. “It’s Cassie. I’ll put it on speaker for you.”
He nods.
I swipe to answer and hold it up to him.
“Hey sis.”
“Hey.” She sounds as tired and weary as I feel.
