“Papa, don’t scare these folks.” Jett wipes his hands over his shirt as he walks over to his parents, then turns to look at us. “Y’all three, forget what he just said. It’s safe here. You’re our guests, please, spend the night. We might not be able to fix the car, but hey, at least you don’t have to sleep in it.”
Bronwyn squints. “Why would we sleep anywhere that isn’t the hotel we booked earlier?”
“Oh, honey.” The corners of Ma’s eyes crinkle, her head tilting. “Can’t you see? He can’t figure out what’s wrong with your car.”
“Wait, what? What do you mean,he can’t figure out what’s wrong?” Bronwyn whips her head back to her boyfriend, her voice rising. “Easton, what does she mean,he can’t?”
She’s more than demanding. She’s shrieking. My ears ring.
“Shh, it’s okay.” Easton hooks an arm around her middle, tucking her into his side.
“Not. Okay.” My twin still looks mad enough to bite his or my head off.
The Colberts don’t seem that inviting anymore, either. Their brows are furrowed. Ma’s hands are pressed to her hips.
It doesn’t escape me that the only thing that feels remotely safe right now is the small charm I have in my bra.
“Don’t you worry.” Papa clears his throat, his expression turning friendly again. Almost too friendly, with this wide smile of his. “We have two guest rooms for you to spend the night in. We’ll call a tow truck first thing in the morning. It’ll all be sorted out then.”
“Thank you,” both Easton and I say and sigh with relief.
“No.” Bronwyn’s lips curl in disgust. “No, absolutely not. We aren’t staying here.”
“Stop it,” I plead. “They’re being polite.”
I pray her attitude won’t change the Colberts’ minds. Out here, in the dark, in the middle of nowhere, they’re our best choice.
Besides, it’s one thing to have her insults aimed at me. These people have done nothing to offend her.
“You’ve got some nerve, talking to me like that.” Her eyes cut straight through me. “You dragged me to this place. You’re the reason we’re stuck.”
At her hateful glare, I almost shut up and roll over. The part of me that’s conditioned to hate arguing with her tells me tojust take it.
But the charm pressed against my chest emboldens me. It stirs my curiosity too. If we stay here, I might have a chance to meet the man who gave it to me. Talk to him.
“Look.” I gulp, taking a deep breath before adding, “It’s only one night.”
“No. Way. I’m staying in the car.”
“Bronny, listen. We can’t stay out here.” For once, Easton is in my corner. “We could sleep in the back seat, but then where would your sister be? While you and I…?”
“Fine, fine.” She sucks in a deep breath. “We’ll sleep at this place thatisn’tthe hotel I booked.”
“I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. I’ll find somewhere better than the hotel we booked, and we’ll stay there for as long as you like.” He can do that and more. Easton’s family comes from old money. Oil money. “No expense spared.”
“Babe.” She gasps, turning to him. “Really?”
Shame creeps up my neck that we’re having this conversation here. In front of people who don’t seem to have much more than this town.
“Really. Then…” He brings his lips to her ear. “Then I’ll give you the world.”
Her nod is the most docile I’ve ever seen her.
“It’s settled, then.” Jett clasps his hands, the sound so loud it makes me jump. “Let’s grab your luggage and get you situated.”
6
SKYLAR
