Swallowing, she nodded through the fog that had taken up residence in her brain. “Yes,” she said quietly.
Despite Preacher’s warnings, her plans hadn’t changed. If not New York City, then where would she go? She couldn’t live like this forever—moving from truck stop to truck stop, living out of her backpack and off the kindness of strangers.
This wasn’t a life. At least not a fulfilling one. And Debbie wanted more.
Preacher cleared his throat. “You want a ride?”
Debbie blinked up at him, her eyes widening.
“But I’m gonna need to make a pit stop upstate before showin’ my face in the city,” he hurried to say. “If you’re cool with that, you got yourself a ride.”
Was she cool with spending more time with Preacher? Debbie pressed her lips together—an attempt to prevent the burst of excitement inside her from making a noisy escape. Her stomach somersaulting, she nodded happily.
The corners of Preacher’s mouth lifted, his lips twisting into a small smirk. Idly scratching at his beard, he started across the room.
Pausing just outside the bathroom, he tossed her a glance over his shoulder. “Hey, so, you gonna tell me your real name?”
She floundered for a moment. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to be honest with him, genuine. But at the same time, she never wanted to hear that name again, be that girl again. She wantedthat girlto disappear forever.
“I like Wheels,” she finally said.
She truly liked the nickname. Maybe because Preacher had given it to her, and therefore it wasn’t a lie. It was real, genuine—the latter being something she was not.
A slow smile split Preacher’s lips. “Fair enough,Wheels.” He knocked his fist lightly on the wall. “Lots of people where we’re going. Lots of wallets to steal. You’ll love it.” With a wink, he disappeared inside the bathroom.
Staring at the empty space he’d just vacated, Debbie bit down on her bottom lip, barely breathing. She remained that way until she heard the shower turn on, and then she propelled herself face-first onto a pillow… and grinned.
Chapter 14
Present Day
“So you took her to Four Points?” I asked.
“‘Course I did,” Preacher mumbled, yawning. “I guess I felt…responsible for what happened to her.
“Hell,” he continued, “it ain’t like I had anything better to be doin’ anyway.” He yawned again.
“I think you just wanted to kiss her again,” I said softly.
Although his eyes were closed, he smiled. “That too, baby girl… that too…”
Seated on a hard plastic chair beside Preacher’s hospital bed, my chin resting on the bedrail, I watched his ashen features grow slack with sleep. He’d been talking animatedly for almost an hour, and then suddenly he’d gone quiet, staring off across the room. Maybe it was the reliving of his memories that had exhausted him, after keeping them locked away inside him for so long.
God knew I was feeling exhausted myself.
Getting to my feet, I leaned over the bedrail and drew the blanket up to his chin, tucking it tightly around his shoulders. Then I smoothed a few wisps of hair away from his forehead and placed a soft kiss there.
Turning, I found Deuce standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded over his chest. “You alright, darlin’?”
I nodded despite myself. Not only was I learning that everything I’d thought I’d known about my mother had been a lie, but the reality of how sick Preacher actually was, that I was indeed losing my father, was becoming more apparent with every passing moment in his presence.
If only I’d known how sick he’d been back when there would have been time to do something. Chemotherapy, radiation, something… anything! God, if only Preacher had just told me.If only someone had fucking told me.
“Did the boys leave?” I asked, peering around Deuce into the hall.
Deuce dipped his chin. “Most of ‘em. Joe’s around here somewhere. And Tiny, that fat fuck, is snoring up a storm in the waiting room, drooling all over himself, driving me fuckin’ crazy.”
Nodding, I shot a quick glance at my father and released a shaky sigh. When the time came, I knew Tiny would have to be dragged kicking and screaming from Preacher’s side. Despite Tiny’s less appealing tendencies, his loyalty and love for my father was unwavering.
