“You went inside for keys.I grabbed my phone.At least one of us is thinking clearly.”
“You shouldn’t even be here!”I yell at him.
“You’re about to do something stupid.”He grips the handle above the door as I take a corner faster than I should.“Especially driving like a lunatic.”
My knuckles are white as I grip the steering wheel.My eyes focus intently on the road.
“This is about Reeves, obviously.”
I don’t answer.Gavin gives up and leans back in the seat.
I only slow down when I turn the car onto Jonathan’s driveway.I coast up the dark drive, the car practically rolling in neutral, and turn the lights off just before we reach the end.I park the car on the far side of the garage, out of sight.
“Now you’ve got me worried.”
“Shut it,” I hiss.“Stay here.”
I knew he wouldn’t.
As soon as we get out of the car, I can hear them.I look at Gavin across the hood and press my door shut with a gentle click.Gavin’s eyes dart back and forth as he concentrates on the voices, trying to decipher what’s being said.
I didn’t think this far ahead.I knew there was a chance Hal would blame Jonathan for the cameras.He’s alwayspunishedJonathan for mishaps at jobs or with supplies, no matter how absurd the reasoning.I wanted to be wrong.But I didn’t consider what I’d do if I was right.
A crash inside the garage turns me around.Gavin is beside me.“Stay here.”
It’s my turn to defy him.
We move to the front of the garage.The small windows along the top of the retractable doors glow from inside.Gavin cups his hands to look inside the filmy square panes of glass.I press up onto my toes to do the same, not wanting the retractable door to vibrate and draw attention to us.
Hal has Jonathan pinned against a work truck, his hands on his shoulders, holding him in place.
“I told you, I didn’t touch the cameras.”Jonathan raises his hands in attempt to placate his father.But his eyes are stones of defiance, as is the growl of his words.
Hal sends a lightning quick jab to Jonathan’s ribs.Jonathan groans and clutches his side but remains upright.
I bite my lip to keep from making noise.I force myself not to look away.
“That’s bullshit!You were there tonight.”Spit flies from Hal’s mouth as he screams in Jonathan’s face.
“At Sadie’s!”
“Don’t you lie to me!”Hal slams the base of his palm against the side of Jonathan’s head, knocking him against the truck.“That Livvy girl is a friend of yours.You helped her light that fire—I know it.If this comes back on me… I’ll lose everything, and you’ll wish—”
Gavin bangs a fist against the door, then ducks.I drop into a crouch.Panic pulsing through my body.
What the hell?I mouth.
I know Hal’s about to come out any second.And I don’t want him finding us out here, listening in.
“Who’s there?”
Shit.
“Call to Jonathan?”Gavin whispers.I look at him like he’s pointing a loaded gun at me.He insists, “Call his name!”
“Jonathan?”I squeak out.I stand and clear my throat.“Jonathan?”
I walk toward the entry on rubbery legs just as Hal yanks the door open.
