“They won’t ask,” I say finally. “Not today.”
Cal doesn’t argue. He’s tall enough to reach the soffit, and he puts his hands to it to lean forward. “So…what do we need to do?”
The answer sits heavy in my mouth.
“You’re not going to like it.”
He chuckles, his big white teeth shining in a sardonic smile. “Yeah, well, what else is new? There hasn’t been a single thing about this phase of life I’ve liked yet. And, I imagine, there won’t be for a long time. Doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do.”
I nod. “Yeah. I guess you’re correct.”
“Okay, so…what? What’s the plan?”
I turn to face him. “We go for a drive.”
“A drive to where, Rook?”
“Kylie’s house.”
Cal goes still. “You mean—”
“Yes,” I cut him off before he can question. Before he can waste any more time with nuances. “I take her before they can.”
“Fuck, Rook.” He swears under his breath, but then he laughs. “Well,fuck.”
“I know.”
“That’s certainly crossing a line we’ve never crossed. A line we won’t be able to uncross.”
“I know.”
He searches my face. He knows I’m not wrong. But he also knows that if I don’t do anything, if I don’t make a move, she disappears.
Cal exhales, long and slow.
“Cal, I’m asking you to help me make sure she’s still alive tomorrow.”
He nods once before letting out a harsh laugh and turning back toward the house. “Kane!”
A door opens. Footsteps. Kane appears in the doorway with a towel around his neck.
“What’s up?”
“Get the Suburban ready,” Cal says.
Kane’s gaze flicks to me, and I swear it looks like he’s fighting a smile. “Where are we going, bro?”
I swallow. “Kylie’s.”
“And when we get there?”
I don’t dress it up. “I don’t give her a choice.”
The words taste like blood, but the smile Kane was fighting is now front and center on his face.
“Let’s do it!”
No hesitancy. No questioning. Just full acceptance that what we’re about to do will change everything.
