She's going to die. She's going to die and I'm not ready. How do I prepare for her death?
I know you won't call. I know you won't reply. I don't know why.
I stop reading as my throat clogs and heat builds behind my eyes. I've spent years keeping Elowyn at arm's length, refusing contact because I thought she ruined my family. But Elowyn never ruined my life. She just got caught in the fallout like I did.
Responding to her would be the right thing to do, but I'm not sure it's what I want to do. Once I open that door, I won't be able to close it.
And right now, Cash needs me. Ingrid does, too. Can I handle one more person needing something from me?
“You make a decision yet?” Cash asks ten minutes later as he climbs onto his cot and I'm still staring at the alarming messages.
“No,” I answer truthfully.
“I've been thinking.” Cash chews on his lower lip.
“About?”
“About my parents. About you and Ingrid. About my life.”
“That's surprisingly deep for you.” I flash my eyebrows at him.
Cash inhales sharply. “About getting away.”
“Getting away?”
“The girl, Britta, that I've been talking to in California,” he supplies, “she wants to meet.”
“Are you saying what I think you're saying?” I tilt my head to the side.
“I need a break from my parents. You obviously need a break from whatever the hell is going on with your family. Ingrid probably needs one from hers. What if the three of us...” he trails off.
Did he just include Ingrid in this plan?
I’m shocked.
“The three of us what?”
“What if we road trip to California?” Cash suggests. “We'd be gone a week, maybe two.” He hitches his shoulder. “Could be a chance for us to get away from it all.”
Ingrid and I were talking about making another bucket list. This could be it. A road trip bucket list.
“I'm game if Blondie is.” I grin.
Cash sucks in a harsh breath. “Who's going to convince her?”
It won’t take much. She needs to get away from Isla and Grandpa Harvey.
“I'll talk to her,” I tell him.
I don't know if this is a good idea, but those text messages are burning a hole in my back pocket.
Elowyn can wait another week
Right now, I want to go.
Chapter Six
The Road Trip
