Like when he hired a private investigator to track me down. I still can’t believe he did that. He must’ve spent his entire savings on it, all the money he was saving for a new truck.
“We can’t go back,” I say, glancing in the mirror again. “They’ll be watching your house now, and—”
“I know.”
I turn to look at him, surprised.
He just shrugs. “I assumed as much when we left, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t have anything to go back to.”
“What about your job?”
He snaps the rubber band against his leg, shrugging again. “Guess I’ve been too distracted lately, because they fired my ass today. And I’m broke now after hiring Davey, so I’m gonna lose the lease on the house. But whatever. I don’t give a shit.”
So I was right. He gave up everything just to find me. And for what? To end up with a bullet in his chest?
I’m such a shitty friend.
“I’ll call someone to get the body at your house. I don’t want you getting in trouble.”
“Don’t bother. We can blame it on the asshole who chased us. Might get him off your trail.” He drops his voice. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
That goes for both of us. God, I came so close to losing him tonight.
He flips the radio on, and we drive in silence for a while.
The winter fog is especially eerie on the empty highway, with only the glow of the moon reflecting in the dew. When we reach a small mountain town, I notice a 24-hour diner with a glowing neon OPEN sign in the window. Evan’s stomach gives a demanding growl at the same time, so I pull in. It’s probably been hours since he last ate.
“What are you doing?”
I throw the van into park. “Getting you food.”
“I’m not hungry.”
I roll my eyes at him and point to my ear. “Vampire hearing, remember? Your stomach says otherwise.”
He grumbles.
“Just accept the stupid hamburger, will you? I’m trying to be nice.”
“Fine. But only if it comes with a strawberry—”
“Milkshake. I know.”
When he grins, I can’t help but grin too. Burgers and shakes were always our thing after a college exam. Well, until we learned to enjoy beer.
He opens his door to follow me inside, but I stop him with a shake of my head. “I’ll grab it to go, then we’ll go somewhere private.” I raise my brows, hoping he understands.
Evan’s shoulders drop as he leans back against the seat. “Okay.”
4
EVAN
Ilook around the parking lot as Jericho goes inside the diner. I’m surprised it’s open, given that it’s nearly three in the morning. I guess that would explain why it's relatively empty, only a few cars scattered about. The nearby streets are still asleep, not yet full of daily commuters. Thankfully, the white sedan isn’t anywhere in sight.
Jericho returns ten minutes later with a brown paper bag and a foam cup. He hands them to me before starting the van.
“It smells good,” I say, opening it. Inside is a hot, greasy hamburger, onion rings, and a giant cookie of some kind. “How’d you coax a burger out of them in the middle of the night?”
