Fuck.I would have let him stew here for two more hours. Gladly. But I think about cute little Lio and his coughing fit yesterday. With a sigh, I turn back and walk over to the open hood of the car. North spots me and comes rushing over. “Hey!” he yells at me while hanging up the phone, his expression a mixture of surprise and annoyance. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demands when he comes to stand next to me. “Keep your hands off my car!”
As I quickly reattach the loose battery cable, I don’t say a word, my fingers deftly working the connection back into place. With a satisfying click, the car is ready to start again, and I close the hood with a thud.
Before North can say anything else, I turn on my heel and flip him off over my shoulder as I yell, “You’re welcome!”
SIXTEEN
The worn-outseats creak beneath me as I slide into the van and turn the key in the ignition. As the engine roars to life, I silently pray that today will be a step in the right direction despite the early nightmare wake-up call.
I took my time to shower and get ready, dressing in black leggings and a brown oversized warm sweater that comes just over my butt. I have my second shift at the restaurant this evening, but I decided I would still make my way over to the next town before it starts to see if there are more job opportunities.
Thankfully, it’s not far, and I can check it off my list. I feel like I haven’t done enough to help me get back on the road since I arrived in Lubec.
First, I want to get myself something to eat from Tally’s café, or I won’t make it through the day. Granted, I could easily put together something from the stocks in my cupboard, or grab something small from the store, but deep down, I just want to talk to Tally for a bit. I can’t deny I already like her. It’s nice to have someone to chat with who has a pulse, and if that means a small splurge for great food and conversation, it’s worth it.
Pulling onto the narrow road leading into town, I notice a thin wisp of smoke curling up from the hood.
Well fuck, that’s new.
I grip the steering wheel tighter. “No, no, no. Not today,” I mutter to Van-essa, my voice a mixture of frustration and pleading. “You can’t do this now, you traitor.”
The van continues to putter along the road as I watch the smoke billowing out more forcefully. It becomes more pronounced, thickening into a noxious haze that fills the van’s interior. I can barely see the road ahead, partly because of the smoke but also because my natural reaction to another Van-essa crisis is to cry. But I push forward. I can’t afford to break down in the middle of town.
With gritted teeth, I navigate the van into the parking lot next to Tally’s restaurant. The smoke surges in a steady stream from the hood, obscuring my vision entirely. I pull into a parking spot and slam on the brakes, grateful I’ve made it this far.
Coughing and sputtering, I hastily unbuckle my seat belt and fling open the door. The acrid smell of burning coolant stings my nostrils as I stumble out of the van and rush to the front.
The sight that greets me is disheartening. Thick, white smoke pours from beneath the hood in angry plumes. I reach for the latch and pop it open, and with the hood, an explosion of smoke rises. Then, a cloud of steam engulfs me, making me cough some more.
Peering into the chaos with stinging, watery eyes, I spot the source of the problem immediately. One of the coolant hoses has ripped open, and all the coolant has spewed onto the hot engine. I mutter a string of curses under my breath, both at the van and my luck.
I can’t believe this shit.
“Sloan!” Comes a shout from behind me. I turn to find Hunter and Lio on the opposite side of the street, vigilantly scanning both directions before they rush across the road. Hunter limps slightly, firmly gripping Lio’s wrist, almost pullinghim along, but he releases his hold on him when they reach my side to cup my face in both his hands, making my heart flip.
His concerned gaze searches my features.
My eyes must be red from all the smoke and the tears, and my nose is running uncontrollably.
I bet I look amazing.
“Are you okay?”I ask, my concern evident as I hold onto her tightly, my heart thudding heavily in my chest.
We had set out for a simple grocery shopping trip, a promise I made to Lio for being such a brave little trooper during his doctor’s appointment earlier. He’d been looking forward to dino nuggies with fries and ketchup for lunch, and I was determined to deliver.
Just as we were about to enter the store, Lio and I watched an orange van driving down the street with smoke billowing from the hood. I had my phone already in my hand to call the police when it turned into the parking lot opposite us, andshesprang out of the driver’s side, sputtering and coughing, nearly giving me a heart attack.
How does she get into such situations all the time?
“I’m fine,” she mutters before she starts to cough again, and I release my grip on her.
“What happened?” I inquire as I step in front of the hood and peer inside. There’s some liquid pouring out of a hose, and I reach in to twist the cap off the radiator.
“Don’t!” she shouts from behind me, grabbing my bicep just as I retract my hand with a yelp of pain.It’s scalding hot.
“F… udge,” I nearly curse, shaking my hand. It’s not badly burned, but it hurts.
“Why would you even touch something that’s still smoking?” She looks at me with wide, unbelieving eyes.
